The NOW!

The NOW!

Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48 KJV

Jesus' first teaching of his disciples is this account by Matthew, where He taught them through 3 chapters, touching on so many aspects of human life and Godliness. Today's extract is the last verse in Matthew 5, and it is a charge, admonition, command and encouragement all rolled into one. Let it be said here that God doesn't command a thing that He has not empowered us to obey, and He will not place a burden on us that He has not given grace for us to bear. If He commands it, He commands grace to accompany it.

So what is at stake here: perfection according to God's standard. As hard as this may sound, it is NOT perfection as best as I can, but perfection as God commands. It is NOT perfection as much as I can try, but perfection in line with God's expectation. What this means is God is not looking for me to impress Him by my own efforts and labour, but by total dependence on Him. Any other thing becomes fruitless activity, results in inconsistent application and uncertain outcomes. You do not determine how you will obey and please God; He's already told us how we can do that. Nothing else will work here.

And we have the perfect example to keep us in line: Jesus Himself. He came to the earth in our likeness, so He could share our humanity. He went through human phases such as hunger and pain so He could feel our infirmities. He walked in our shoes so we too could walk in His shoes. After all He has done for us, the least we can do in return is seek to please Him. As we can see, no options or second opinions are given here; you do not get to pick and choose whether you will obey.

His standard is made plain in His Word; the right examples have been given and a summons issued to all who claim to know and follow Christ. Remember Enoch? He walked with God to the point that he was no more. If a mortal man could do this, then it is possible. Are you one of such people who will walk in line with God's expectation? Are you walking in line with this command/admonition/instruction. Take your pick; his time of favour is here.