If you remember last week’s Thursday Thoughts, you know that Jesus had urged his followers to have a righteousness that exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20). Jesus wants our behavior to reflect our heart for Him. In the verses between that admonition and today’s verse, Jesus gives example after example of what He means.
As I was reflecting on these examples, it occurred to me that Matthew 5:48 really summarizes all that Jesus has been telling His disciples. Instead of an exhaustive list of rules to follow (like the scribes and Pharisees tried to do), Jesus gives us a principle to live by:
You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:48 ESV
Perfect is a big word to try to live up to. It can mean without flaw, which God certainly is. As human beings, we can never hope to meet that standard. Fortunately, we don’t have to do it on our own. When we admit that we are sinners who need a Savior and we accept Jesus as that Savior and our Lord, we receive His Spirit to guide and help us. And with His help, I can live my life to honor my Father.
The Greek word for perfect has another meaning that is at the core of this ministry. Perfect also means complete, lacking in nothing that’s necessary for the job at hand. I used to get so discouraged by my failure to live flawlessly; I struggled with feeling so inadequate, like I could never be good enough to deserve God’s love. When I finally understood that God doesn’t expect me to be good enough on my own, it lifted a huge load. By myself, I am inadequate, but with Jesus I am perfectly complete and able to do whatever God asks of me.
What a wonderful realization!! With Jesus, I am perfectly complete. I can live fulfill the command He gives us today.
Think About: Are you perfectly complete in Jesus?
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