Perfect
“‘If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.’”
Today’s Text: Matthew 5:38-48 (Living Life Daily Devotional)
God knows, no one is perfect. God knows, I am not perfect. Yet, Jesus says—demands—”Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” And so, Jesus’s demand demands more thought and reflection on our part.
The ESV has “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” The NASB has “Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” A literal translations would be “Therefore, you all will be perfect, as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
The theology here is pretty obvious. Our Father in heaven is perfect, no ifs, ands, or buts. But knowing the theology doesn’t help us one iota when it comes to the application of that theology, which is that we are called (commanded) to strive for God’s perfection.
The main reason that God has given us His word is not to teach us theology. The Bible has been given to us to transform our lives in light of the theology.
Learning theology is easy! Being perfect is hard! Some might say impossible. But if it is impossible, then why would Jesus say such a thing? To discourage us because of our imperfection?
No. Jesus is speaking rhetorically to motivate us toward God’s will for our lives. And God’s will for you and me is to love one another—and especially to love those whom we do not naturally love.
And so, our perfection cannot be measured by perfect obedience to the word of God. The word of God tells us that is impossible (Romans 3:10-12, 23). That means our perfection is measured by a posture of the heart to know that God alone is perfect, and to know that what He wants for our lives is what is best for us.
And BTW, the answer is NOT: Jesus is speaking like this just to highlight the fact that we can’t do anything to earn our salvation.
No. To disregard God’s word simply because “I don’t want to” or because “I just can’t” is to embrace selfishness and immaturity as “normal” and maybe even “good,” when in fact, embracing selfishness and immaturity in that way is evil.
Let’s not settle for spiritual immaturity but strive for perfection, even knowing that we will never be perfect until we see Jesus face to face (1 Corinthians 13:11-12).
Father, You are perfect. Your ways are perfect. It is easy for us to “know” that You are perfect, but we make it difficult for ourselves to be perfect, as You are perfect. Forgive us for making excuses and not making every effort to obey Your word. Help us to know the joy of obedience to Your word. In Jesus’s name. Amen.
