flood and flame

Jesus calls us to perfection. In Matthew 5:48 he says "be perfect just as your heavenly Father is perfect." That is a pretty tough order, isn't it?

Often when we read a verse like this we tend to think along the lines of this video by Vintage 21. (if you haven't watched it yet, stop reading and check it out.) We think that life with God is all about following rules and the thought of following them all the time to the point of perfection is a little overwhelming. Jesus is going to point out every little flaw or mistake.

But being a Christian is not about subscribing to a set of beliefs or following perfectly a set of rules. It is about allowing the saving grace of Jesus Christ to completely transform us. When we walk in a relationship with Christ we learn to imitate Him. By imitating Him, we show his perfection in our lives. His life was exemplified through loving God and through loving others.
Right before Jesus calls us "be perfect just as the heavenly Father is perfect" he is asking people to love everyone, including their enemies. He tells us to respect everyone, including strangers. Only then does He give the command to be "perfect". So our being perfect is bound in loving others, not in following rules.

The great commandment that Christ gives us elsewhere in scriptures echoes this command. It says, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"

Do you want to be perfect? First, ya' got to let Christ transform your life. Then you have to love God and love other people with all ya' got .

Peace,

Joey