A word from which we run with the greatest speed is Matthew 5:48. It reads, "Be perfect, therefore, as your Heavenly Father is perfect." Most of us read it and figure Jesus obviously meant something different than calling us toward perfection. It makes no sense to take this Word literally. Everyone knows perfection is impossible. If we doubt it, ask anyone in a marriage about their partner! No need to read this Word slowly. Our time is better served in getting to something which is more realistically possible.
When I read this passage I always remember a story from my first appointment. A young boy's Moma had to have surgery which put her on the sofa for an extended time. Daddy did the cooking. One night after supper while Mom and Dad relaxed a moment, the young boy climbed up on the kitchen counter. With both feet in the sink filled with dishwater and supper dishes he sat. He began to wash the dishes even though dirty feet were in the water. His parents said nothing. They watched. It was a special moment for them which they talked about for many days.
His act was imperfect. His feet were dirty. He was not old enough to insure the dishes were clean, but he wanted to help. As far as performance and results were concerned, it was filled with imperfection. However, the motivation of his heart was perfect. Perfection in love is what it might be called. So, it is with our movement toward being perfect. We will never achieve perfection if it is only a matter of performance. Perfection in motivation is another thing. Love takes us to heights and depths we could never attain by a program of self improvement. Love moves us ever so gently into the realm of being perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
When I read this passage I always remember a story from my first appointment. A young boy's Moma had to have surgery which put her on the sofa for an extended time. Daddy did the cooking. One night after supper while Mom and Dad relaxed a moment, the young boy climbed up on the kitchen counter. With both feet in the sink filled with dishwater and supper dishes he sat. He began to wash the dishes even though dirty feet were in the water. His parents said nothing. They watched. It was a special moment for them which they talked about for many days.
His act was imperfect. His feet were dirty. He was not old enough to insure the dishes were clean, but he wanted to help. As far as performance and results were concerned, it was filled with imperfection. However, the motivation of his heart was perfect. Perfection in love is what it might be called. So, it is with our movement toward being perfect. We will never achieve perfection if it is only a matter of performance. Perfection in motivation is another thing. Love takes us to heights and depths we could never attain by a program of self improvement. Love moves us ever so gently into the realm of being perfect as our Heavenly Father is perfect.
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