I was over hearing a conversation between a mother and her daughter the other day. They were talking about Jesus' comment to "be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." (Mt 5:48) The daughter quickly attested to the fact that we are not Jesus, and therefore we cannot be perfect this side of heaven. I think the daughter, and probably a number of believers, misunderstood what Christ was say- ing. This verse is on the heels of a call to not retaliate, but rather to turn the other cheek and to love our enemies. I think we sometimes have the notion that we have been called-out and set apart to be good, when Jesus requires God-like character. When we, through the Spirit of the living God, are able to express His nature on the outside, we are expressing His perfection; we are being perfect as He is perfect. God has called us to a supernatural life, and as His nature rules in us, we will naturally display a life that far exceeds anything we could do in and of ourselves. By His grace, we are to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect. Are you allow- ing the perfection of God to shine through your life?
