What did Jesus say? 

Be Perfect As Your Heavenly Father Is Perfect

• Matthew 5:46-48:  For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?  And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?  You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.   

In Other Text: 

• 1 John 2:4-5:  He who says, “I know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. 
• Psalm 101:6  My eyes shall be on the faithful of the land,
  That they may dwell with me;
  He who walks in a perfect way,
  He shall serve me.  

Challenge: 

Who can possibly live up to the perfection of God?  Why would Jesus ever expect perfection from us?

Let’s take that load off… Jesus is well aware we will never achieve perfection on this earth.  However, we have been given the Holy Sprit who resides inside each of us to teach us to love others as our Perfect Father loves them.  When we align ourselves with Jesus, His commands, and His heart for a lost a dying world, we step into His path leading us to perfect peace (Isaiah 26:3).  

When we are anchored in the truth of scripture, choosing daily to live out His commands to love and to serve those around us, we are walking in “a perfect way”. The goal is not for us to always “get it right”… He knows how to protect us from hurting ourselves and others.  He is kind and generous, always wanting us to ask for guidance and wisdom to walk in “a perfect way” on this earth.  

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