I'd like to focus on something that Jesus said about perfection.
"Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:48).
As with all scripture, we must look at this in context. What is the "therefore" there for?
This verse is one scripture from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount", (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). This particular verse ties up 6 verses on the subject (as titled in my Bible), "Love Your Enemies".
To be perfect as Our Father in Heaven is perfect means that we shine on the just and the unjust. And that we bring refreshment to the just and the unjust.
Jesus is emphasizing that it isn't fit for us, in representing Him, to do anything but bless, do good, and pray for those who hate, curse, or persecute us.
Persecution is a different subject completely. We don't see persecution in the United States in the way that scripture talks about persecution, but we may someday. Believers in the early church or today in China and some Middle East nations would laugh at what we call persecution. We, in our entitlement-culture, just get offended because people don't agree with us - and call that persecution.
Here's the point: Live like the King. He rules over His whole Kingdom. Some people don't serve Him, some may even curse and hate Him, but He shines on and sends rain to them anyway.
And many, as they awaken to His goodness as manifest in His Body, will come to repentance (Romans 2:4).
In this way, according to Jesus, you can be perfect, as He is.
This verse is one scripture from Jesus' "Sermon on the Mount", (Matthew 5, 6 and 7). This particular verse ties up 6 verses on the subject (as titled in my Bible), "Love Your Enemies".
"You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matthew 5:43-48).
To be perfect as Our Father in Heaven is perfect means that we shine on the just and the unjust. And that we bring refreshment to the just and the unjust.
Jesus is emphasizing that it isn't fit for us, in representing Him, to do anything but bless, do good, and pray for those who hate, curse, or persecute us.
Persecution is a different subject completely. We don't see persecution in the United States in the way that scripture talks about persecution, but we may someday. Believers in the early church or today in China and some Middle East nations would laugh at what we call persecution. We, in our entitlement-culture, just get offended because people don't agree with us - and call that persecution.
Here's the point: Live like the King. He rules over His whole Kingdom. Some people don't serve Him, some may even curse and hate Him, but He shines on and sends rain to them anyway.
And many, as they awaken to His goodness as manifest in His Body, will come to repentance (Romans 2:4).
In this way, according to Jesus, you can be perfect, as He is.
Posts
