“Be ye therefore
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This command comes as the conclusion of the preceding verses.
Since God is loving and kind, good and benevolent, we who are His children
should be as loving and kind, giving and helpful as our heavenly Father. God’s
children are to resemble their Father. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” This command comes as the conclusion of the preceding verses.
Since God is loving and kind, good and benevolent, we who are His children
should be as loving and kind, giving and helpful as our heavenly Father. God’s
children are to resemble their Father. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as
your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
In fact, this is the conclusion of the whole
chapter. Be ye therefore righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peace-loving,
truthful and loving as children of God. Indeed, it is the goal of the rest of
the sermon on the mount. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.” “Thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are;” “be not ye therefore like unto them”
(Matthew 6:5,8). Thou shalt be as thy Father in heaven (Matthew 18:33; John
17:22; Luke 6:35,36; Ephesians 4:32; 5:25; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 2:6; 3:3,7).
In reality, it can be said that Matthew 5:48 is the purpose of creation, of
redemption and even of divine revelation. This is the reason for Christ’s
sacrifice and atonement. It is the goal of Christ’s mission on earth and the
purpose of christian ministry: to “present every man perfect in Christ
Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
chapter. Be ye therefore righteous, merciful, pure in heart, peace-loving,
truthful and loving as children of God. Indeed, it is the goal of the rest of
the sermon on the mount. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father
which is in heaven is perfect.” “Thou shalt not be as the
hypocrites are;” “be not ye therefore like unto them”
(Matthew 6:5,8). Thou shalt be as thy Father in heaven (Matthew 18:33; John
17:22; Luke 6:35,36; Ephesians 4:32; 5:25; Colossians 3:13; 1 John 2:6; 3:3,7).
In reality, it can be said that Matthew 5:48 is the purpose of creation, of
redemption and even of divine revelation. This is the reason for Christ’s
sacrifice and atonement. It is the goal of Christ’s mission on earth and the
purpose of christian ministry: to “present every man perfect in Christ
Jesus” (Colossians 1:28). “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your
Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
There is no doubt about
the call to holiness, the call to sanctification, the call to christian
perfection. It is on many pages of the Scriptures. The reason for it is in the
nature of God. Holiness or christian perfection is not optional, it is
imperative. Because it is imperative, it must be possible. He who wills the end
must provide the means. If sanctification or christian perfection is His will
and command, He must have made it possible; otherwise He would call us to an
unequal and unfair task. It is frankly admitted
that the call and demand is beyond our natural ability. We cannot attain unto
holiness or christian perfection in our own strength. God provides and gives
what we cannot gain by self-effort. We obtain and keep the experience by grace
through faith, not of merit by works. God’s holiness and perfect love is the
pattern and standard of His demand. God’s promises are as great and broad as
His commandments. He has not commanded more than He has promised. His mighty
power is always made available to fulfil His promise. With faith in God Who is
always faithful, we are sure of divine support and enablement to be as holy and
perfect as He desires us to be.
the call to holiness, the call to sanctification, the call to christian
perfection. It is on many pages of the Scriptures. The reason for it is in the
nature of God. Holiness or christian perfection is not optional, it is
imperative. Because it is imperative, it must be possible. He who wills the end
must provide the means. If sanctification or christian perfection is His will
and command, He must have made it possible; otherwise He would call us to an
unequal and unfair task. It is frankly admitted
that the call and demand is beyond our natural ability. We cannot attain unto
holiness or christian perfection in our own strength. God provides and gives
what we cannot gain by self-effort. We obtain and keep the experience by grace
through faith, not of merit by works. God’s holiness and perfect love is the
pattern and standard of His demand. God’s promises are as great and broad as
His commandments. He has not commanded more than He has promised. His mighty
power is always made available to fulfil His promise. With faith in God Who is
always faithful, we are sure of divine support and enablement to be as holy and
perfect as He desires us to be.
God’s command and promise
must stir up desire and passion in the true child of God. Looking at the great
demand and knowing that we are helpless in ourselves to fulfil God’s will of
holiness and christian perfection, we seek His face in prayer and supplication.
In our pursuit and prayer, we consecrate ourselves to God and commit ourselves
to seeking His glory in all things and at all times. Our consecration includes
denying and dethroning self, willingness to do and be whatever and wherever He
wants us to do and to be. Our sincere
pursuit of holiness and christian perfection will make us to constantly reject
and give up whatever hinders or decreases holiness and christian perfection
however pleasing to the flesh or appealing to human nature. Our prayer should
be from the heart, praying with faith and fervency, as Jacob or Jonah, knowing
we are praying for the greatest need on earth and for eternity. God always
answers the prayer of faith. What we receive through consecration and prayer,
we can only keep and grow in through consecration and prayer.-from bible study outline
must stir up desire and passion in the true child of God. Looking at the great
demand and knowing that we are helpless in ourselves to fulfil God’s will of
holiness and christian perfection, we seek His face in prayer and supplication.
In our pursuit and prayer, we consecrate ourselves to God and commit ourselves
to seeking His glory in all things and at all times. Our consecration includes
denying and dethroning self, willingness to do and be whatever and wherever He
wants us to do and to be. Our sincere
pursuit of holiness and christian perfection will make us to constantly reject
and give up whatever hinders or decreases holiness and christian perfection
however pleasing to the flesh or appealing to human nature. Our prayer should
be from the heart, praying with faith and fervency, as Jacob or Jonah, knowing
we are praying for the greatest need on earth and for eternity. God always
answers the prayer of faith. What we receive through consecration and prayer,
we can only keep and grow in through consecration and prayer.-from bible study outline
May this message enrich your heart and soul, that you may be perfect even as He is perfect in Jesus’ name.
-Charity