“But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
That verse is really in the Bible. And whether I read it in its context concluding Jesus’ teaching about loving our enemies, or whether I read it out of context and standing alone right here… I have the same reaction. I kind of skip over it. It is so far from my reality that it might as well say “But you are to fly, even as the eagles fly.” It is not possible, so I don’t spend one second thinking about the spiritual lesson the verse is communicating. Plus, I also remember all of the verses that comprehensively explain how I am a sinner and have fallen short of the glory of God. I know too fully well how imperfect I am. I can lament right along with the apostle Paul in 1st Timothy that most of the time I feel like the chief of sinners. So, in some ways, this verse just seems silly.
But again, this verse is in the Bible. It says what it says. And the Lord is not cruel or unjust (or silly), so I don’t think He gives us commands that are impossible to keep. It is just that the only way I can keep it is for me to be clothed with Christ. When I am… when his blood has washed away my sin, Jesus’ righteousness becomes my own and the Lord sees Jesus’ perfection as my own as well. That is the only way that I know of to be perfect.
Knowing this, the verse is still difficult. But at least it is no longer impossible! It puts me back on the path of growth and holiness - towards the Kingdom of God where one day He is going to make all things new. This path is not an easy one - it involves following in Christ’s footsteps, such that I also need to take up my cross and die. The imperfections in my character and my fleshly desires need to be crucified so that Jesus’ character and his desires can become my own.
I think this is frightening to myself and most people because we wonder how that can be joyful? If the only way to be perfect is for aspects of my personality and who I am to die… is that trade worth it? We will come back to this next week!…
Blessings to you all!
Pastor Aaron
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