Be Perfect

Mt. 5:48  Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

The dictionary defines perfection as being complete beyond improvement or conforming absolutely to the ideal.  The Greek word for perfect (telios) used in this verse means complete, not defective, nothing missing.  Jesus speaks here about how Christians are to be consistent (complete) in love.

It's easy to love our family, friends and neighbors and, of course, we should.  It's not so easy, some may say impossible, to love our enemies, those who don't love back.  In our human nature, we are more apt to seek revenge, hold a grudge, or respond in anger or bitterness toward them.  But as Jesus points out (vv. 46, 47), if we do, then we are no better than those who are not Christians.  We're not doing anything remarkable.

Our love needs to be consistent toward all, including our enemies, regardless of how we are treated.  We need to speak well about those who don't speak well of us.  It's not easy but our words reveal our heart.  We need to do good to those who hate us.  It's not easy but sometimes our actions speak louder than our words.  We need to pray that the Father will forgive those who use or persecute us.  It's not easy but Jesus did (Lk. 23:34).

In doing all these things, we are being consistent and complete beyond improvement in our love toward all men.  We are being like the Father (v. 48), conforming absolutely to the Ideal, and confirming ourselves as His children (v. 45).  Now that's something remarkable!