God Doesn't Expect Perfection, But What Does He Expect?

While we are to strive for perfection, we don't fail if we don't achieve it.  I believe what God expects of us is a good honest heartfelt effort.  Here is some Scripture to back up my belief.

2 Chronicles 15:15-17(NKJV)

15And all Judah rejoiced at the oath, for they had sworn with all their heart and sought Him with all their soul; and He was found by them, and the Lord gave them rest all around.

16Also he removed Maachah, the mother of Asa the king, from being queen mother, because she had made an obscene image of £Asherah; and Asa cut down her obscene image, then crushed and burned it by the Brook Kidron. 

17But the high places were not removed from Israel. Nevertheless the heart of Asa was loyal all his days.

The preceding verses told of all the good things Asa did.  Then Scripture notes that he fell short in this area but all in all Asa's heart was loyal. 

OK, but how do we know what is important to God and what things He will let slide.  Let's read these next to sections for guidance.

2 Chronicles 16:1-3(NKJV)

1In the thirty-sixth year of the reign of Asa, Baasha king of Israel came up against Judah and built Ramah, that he might let none go out or come in to Asa king of Judah. 

2Then Asa brought silver and gold from the treasuries of the house of the Lord and of the king’s house, and sent to Ben-Hadad king of Syria, who dwelt in Damascus, saying, 

3“Let there be a treaty between you and me, as there was between my father and your father. See, I have sent you silver and gold; come, break your treaty with Baasha king of Israel, so that he will withdraw from me.”

So Asa forms an alliance with the king of Syria to help provide for the safety of Judah.  And it is successful.  But then we come to this section.

2 Chronicles 16:7-9(NKJV)

7And at that time Hanani the seer came to Asa king of Judah, and said to him: “Because you have relied on the king of Syria, and have not relied on the Lord your God, therefore the army of the king of Syria has escaped from your hand. 

8Were the Ethiopians and the Lubim not a huge army with very many chariots and horsemen? Yet, because you relied on the Lord, He delivered them into your hand. 

9For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.” 

Interesting isn't it?  Do you see the difference?  It's a heart issue.  And rest assured, God knows your heart.  There is no faking it.  Let's look at the difference. 

In the first case God can sense that Asa's heart is with Him.  So even though Asa leaves the high places (where they worship other gods by the way) God makes the judgment that in the greater scheme of things Asa is doing his best and his heart is in the right place, so God let's some of it slide.

Now let's look at the second example.  Asa never even inquires of God.  Asa goes right to taking care of it himself by seeking the help of another human.  Isn't that the inclination of many of us?  We want to handle things?  And what is it that makes God angry?  It is that Asa didn't look to God first.  That is something that God wasn't willing to overlook.  Why?  Because it revealed a heart issue in my opinion.

I think the lesson to be learned here is that if we always seek God's guidance before acting, we will come out OK in the long run.  Does seeking God's guidance first guarantee success?  Nope!  But at least how ever it turns out, you will know that you continue to live in God's favor.