If I had never joined a church till I had found one that was perfect, I should never_x000D_ have joined one at all; and the moment I did join it, if I had found one, I should have_x000D_ spoiled it, for it would not have been a perfect church after I had become a member of_x000D_ it. Still, imperfect as it is, it is the dearest place on earthto us.
Interpretation
Perfection is unattainable; embracing imperfection is essential for belonging.
This quote by Charles Spurgeon reflects the idea that striving for a perfect community or church is futile, as such a place does not exist. The message emphasizes the importance of accepting flaws within ourselves and our communities, suggesting that even imperfect institutions can hold significant value and meaning in our lives.
In practice
During a sermon, one might use this quote to illustrate the value of community despite its flaws.
Amusement should be used to do us good “like a medicine”: it must never be used as the food of the man...Many have had all holy thoughts and gracious resolutions stamped out by perpetual trifling. Pleasure so called is the murderer of thought. This is the age of excessive amusement: everybody craves for it, like a babe for its rattle.
When you see no present advantage, walk by faith and not by sight. Do God the honor to trust Him when it comes to matters of loss for the sake of principle.
It is far easier to fight with sin in public than to pray against it in private.
You will never glory in God till first of all God has killed your glorying in yourself.
After faith comes repentance, or, rather, repentance is faith's twin brother and is born at the same time.
["All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant."] The original Hebrew word that has been translated "paths" means "well-worn roads' or "wheel tracks," such ruts as wagons make when they go down our green roads in wet weather and sink in up to the axles. God's ways are at times like heavy wagon tracks that cut deep into our souls, yet all of them are merciful.
Nothing is ever done in this world until men are prepared to kill one another if it is not done.
Why is geometry often described as cold and dry? One reason lies in its inability to describe the shape of a cloud, a mountain, a coastline or a tree.
It's hard for me to get interested in stories that ignore death, which is what American marketing culture would like to do: pretend that death doesn't exist, that you can buy immortality; just buy these products, and you'll be forever young and happy.
Majorities and minorities cannot rightfully be taken at all into account in deciding questions of justice.
Wars and revolutions and battles are due simply and solely to the body and its desires.
Mercy is what moves us toward God, while justice makes us tremble in his sight.
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