Be Perfect

Matthew 5:43-48

            The Lord God is truly amazing.  His love is beyond our comprehension, and His willingness to bless and forgive often leaves us with our mouths hanging wide open in astonishment.  Even as Jesus was being nailed to His cross He was saying: “Father, forgive them; for they do not know what they are doing.”  (Luke 23:34).  We all appreciate that our God is like this, but then we begin to squirm some when the word comes to us: “Therefore, you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”  Perfect, of course, means complete, mature, whole.  As disciples of Christ, we are to walk as He walked.

            Tall order?  Yes.  Impossible?  No.  If Jesus says to do it, then we can do it with His help.  Here’s some appropriate examples:

>                    Some people won’t appreciate what you do for them.  Do it anyway.

>                    Some people will misunderstand your motives for helping them.  Help them anyway.

>                    Some people will keep hurting you no matter how kindly you treat them.  Keep forgiving them anyway.

>                    Some people will try to take advantage of your generosity.  Be generous anyway.

>                    Some people will ridicule your belief in God’s Word and your teaching it.  Keep believing and teaching anyway.

>                    Some people will try to find fault with anything you do.  Do it anyway.

>                    Some people will disappoint you again and again.  Keep praying for them anyway.

>                    Some people will exhaust your patience with them.  Be patient anyway.

>                    Some people will betray you.  Keep loving them anyway.

>                    Some people will knock you flat and kick you while you’re down.  Keep getting up and doing good anyway.

            “...be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

                                                            ><>  Jeff