Subscription Lists
Today's Little Lift
by Jim Bullington
We quote from the final paragraph of the previous message in this miniseries: “After illustrating mercy's practical side, Jesus added, ‘Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.’ (Matthew 5.48). Be perfect like God is perfect? This commandment might seem an impossible one to follow, but it is not. It becomes impossible when we fail to understand it, but it its proper context and as it is understood in view of the entirety of scripture, it becomes a challenge, but not an impossibility.” Our purpose today is to understand precisely what is involved in being perfect just as our Father in heaven is perfect.
By looking at Luke’s record and comparing it with Matthew’s account, we can understand exactly what Jesus meant when He said, “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” However, before we do that, let’s apply some common sense to this commandment. First of all, it is a commandment; it is not a suggestion or a recommended practice. Unless Jesus commanded us to do the impossible, this passage simply cannot mean that we are to have the same sinless character as our Creator! Therefore, it must mean something other than this. We will presently examine Luke’s account and it will help us to understand Jesus more fully.
Luke wrote that Jesus said, “Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” Which did He say; was it as Matthew recorded it or was it the way Luke recorded it? And, the answer is, “Yes!” It was both ways! On one or more occasions, Jesus spoke the words as Matthew recorded them, and on other occasions He spoke them just as Luke recorded them. They are not contradictory; they are complementary. By examining the immediate context that surrounds Matthew’s account and Luke’s account, it becomes obvious that the contexts are one and the same; the sayings were a part of the same message of the Sermon on the Mount, or a part of a similar message delivered on another occasion. In any case, to “be perfect” like God is perfect is equivalent to being “merciful just” as God is merciful. Perfect as used by Jesus simply means complete. Hence, He was commanding His followers to possess the same concepts and attributes of mercy as His Father possessed. That is the meaning of being perfect in Matthew 5.48.
Now notice the context to grasp exactly what Jesus wants us to be or do regarding mercy. Human beings frequently want revenge when we are wronged. If God operated that way, you and I would have been annihilated long ago. However, rather than immediately exacting penalties upon us, He extends mercy each and every day of our lives. Or to put it as Jesus did, “But if you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. And if you lend to those from whom you hope to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to sinners to receive as much back. But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil.” (Luke 6.32-35). Therefore to be merciful as God is merciful implies that we possess the same merciful spirit as He possesses; when we do, we are perfect as He is perfect [regarding mercy].
Are you aware that the very rising of the sun this day provides silent witness to God’s mercy? After all, it rises and provides the essentials of life for the sinner as well as the saint (see Matthew 5.45). When we grasp the extent of God’s mercy, we will be more merciful towards others; it simply has to happen!
Questions:
1. What does “perfect” mean in Matthew 5.48?
2. Are we commanded to be perfect like the Father? If yes, what does that actually mean? Does it mean sinless perfection? Or, does it mean what Luke recorded in Luke 6?
3. How do the sun and the rain bear witness of the merciful nature of God?
4. Why might we want to understand and embody the trait of mercy?
Receive the newest devotional each week in your inbox by joining the "Today's Little Lift" subscription list. Enter your email address below, click "Go!" and we will send you a confirmation email. Follow the instructions in the email to confirm your addition to this list.