Matthew 5:48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Scripture Insights
The word “perfect” confuses us. Our definition is “flawlessness.” The New Testament definition means “to be complete.” Jesus is reminding us that being complete is evidenced by love of enemies and respect for everyone equally, regardless of position or power. It has been said, “The true measure of character is how we treat those who can’t help us or hurt us.”
This lifestyle is impossible without God’s Spirit. Jesus equates perfection with the nature of the Father. Be perfect as the heavenly Father is perfect. That is, the people of God should reflect the Father’s attitudes and character traits.
My father had traits—height, hairline, and so on—that I inherited because I have his DNA. My possession of these traits is only because Fred Bane was my father. We also inherit traits from our heavenly Father (see Titus 2:11-14). We get those traits only as the Spirit infuses, empowers, and fills us with the Father’s DNA. Then we can become Christlike disciples.
Are we reflecting the Father’s traits? If not, we must ask the Spirit to infuse and empower us!
Today’s Prayer
Lord, we proclaim, “I have one deep, supreme desire: I want to be like Jesus.” Help us to become Christlike disciples today as your Spirit empowers us to reflect the image of Christ in all we do and say.
—Mark Bane
Director, Evangelism and New Church Development, USA/Canada Region
