99.9%
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If 99.9% is good enough then….
-22,000 checks will be deducted from the wrong accounts in the next 60 minutes
-1,314 phone calls will be misplaced in the next 60 seconds
-12 babies will be given to the wrong parent each day
-268,500 defective tires will be installed this year
-2,488,200 books will be shipped in the next 12 months with the wrong cover.
-2 plane landings at O’Hare international Airport in Chicago will crash each day.
-20,000 incorrect drug prescriptions will be filled in the next 12 months.
-107 incorrect medical procedures will be preformed by the end of the dayI realize that we are only human. I realize that we make mistakes and sometimes do things that we shouldn’t. I realize that 99.9% accuracy is very acceptable in many fields of study. However, I also realize that 99.9% is completely unacceptable in many fields. We wouldn’t tolerate a 0.01% failure rate when it comes to filling prescription drugs or safely landing planes. We wouldn’t tolerate a 0.01% failure rate when discussing faithfulness to our spouse. We don’t tolerate a 0.01% failure rate when it comes to many things in life.
What rate do we accept for our spiritual life? What rate is acceptable in different aspects of how we serve God? Do we consider telling the truth 99% of the time as acceptable? Do we consider worshiping God the way He has commanded 99% of the time as acceptable? Do we consider treating others with the proper love and respect 99% of the time as good enough? Paul wrote to the church at Corinth and told them that His desire for them was perfection. 2 Corinthians 13:9 says, “and this also we wish, even your perfection.” The writer of Hebrews wanted them to “go on unto perfection” (Hebrews 6:1). Peter told the Christians, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:15-16). As Christians we are to strive for perfection.
I am thankful for the mercy and forgiveness of God. I am thankful that when I do something wrong, God is willing to forgive me. Let us never mistake His willingness to forgive as acceptance of our shortcomings. Let us never think for one minute that we are just fine at 80%, 90% or even 99.9% right with God. We can do what is right. We can do what is right all the time and in every situation that we face. We are never tempted above what we are able to bear. We always have a way of escape. We can do what is right 100% of the time and must continually strive for that perfection.
If we only do right 99.9% of the time, how many souls will be lost because they are the 0.01% we didn’t try to help? 99.9% is not acceptable in many aspects of life and must not be acceptable in our spiritual lives either. We must strive for perfection!
