Matthew 5:43-48 Be Perfect Just As God Is Perfect

You have heard that it was said, ‘YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

One can easily see how nobody can find any fault with Lord Jesus. His interpretation of the Law is greater than that of Moses. He does not only say to treat them as you would like to be treated, but he goes on to say that you should pray for your enemy because his father who is in heaven freely gives rain to the just and the unjust alike. You cannot earn God’s favor, but if you desire to be pleasing to him, you can imitate him by being perfect just as he is perfect.

Daily Prayer: Father, I must confess that I am not perfect as you are perfect. I can say this which is that when I am “in Christ” that is dependant on him and his work, then to you I am perfect because this is the means that you have given me so that I may come to you with my very soul. In Jesus name I pray Amen.