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Be Ye Perfect?

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Photo by Karl Fredrickson

In a previous post, I told a story of a church member’s shocking reaction towards my friend for wearing jeans to church. Unfortunately, such reactions are not that rare in Christianity. Sadly, these days Christians are known more for being critical, judgmental, and condemning rather than gracious, merciful, and loving. Of course, most would claim the reason for our toughness on the immorality of others is that we have a standard to uphold. Many would quickly quote Matthew 5:48, which says we are to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Because of this goal, we feel the need to measure and enforce such perfection.

Yet this feeling rises from of misunderstandings of that text and our role in judgment and conviction. Sure, 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 says we will judge angels, but it says “will.” Not yet—we don’t have all the information. The Bible also talks of holding fellow Christians accountable, but always in the context of grace, gentleness and love (see Galatians 6:1 and 1 Timothy 5:20). The Bible is also very clear that conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. Besides, can we really change each other? Why would we think we can when we can’t even change ourselves (Jeremiah 13:23)! If we are not to judge (yet) and we cannot bring true conviction, how could it be our job to perfect the church?

Perfecting the Church?

Yet, in our desire to create “perfection” in our churches, we create a human standard (according to our preferences) so strict that many who need Jesus can’t come to Him. Too many churches tell people they can’t do things that God allows, and allow people to do things that God detests! No, we are not to perfect God’s people; we are not to try to convict; we are not to judge. Jesus says plainly in Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”

You might be wondering: what are we supposed to do about Jesus’ teachings on perfection? The passage in question: Matthew 5:48—“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” First, if we are made perfect, it is God’s doing not ours (see Ezekiel 20:12 and Philippians 1:6). Second, this text doesn’t say anything about being sinless or being perfect in actions. We assume that’s what it means, but the word in the Greek means “mature, complete.” (In fact, never once does the word for perfect in action appear in the Bible to describe man. It is only used to describe God!) Of course, we would understand the meaning of Jesus’ challenge if we would just read the context.

The Context of Matthew 5:48

Jesus starts this topic in verse 43. He counters a common understanding with the truth. The world believes people should get what they deserve. The world says it’s okay to hate your enemies, but Jesus sets a new standard: love them and pray for them. It is noteworthy that verse 45 starts with “so that.” In other words, we do the former because of the latter. We love and pray for our enemies, “so that, you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven.” To be children you must behave as the Father does—He is impartial in His love for us. He loves us all equally and allows blessings to fall on everyone.

Then, in verses 46 and 47, Jesus further challenges us to rise above the world. Love the unloveable—the not-good-enough. Do you give the same love to everyone? Every church believes they are a loving church, yet most only show love to the lovable (or they only show love while at church). Here’s a tough question: is the “love” shown by you at church really any different than the “love” shown at a local bar or even by a greeter at Wal-Mart?

Jesus brings the idea home in verse 48: be perfect, therefore, as our heavenly Father is perfect. The context is not about purified actions, it is about the central theme of Jesus’ ministry and teachings to His disciples. It is the summation of the Law (Matthew 22:37–40). It is the identifier of a disciple (John 13:35). He is calling us to be perfect in love. Becoming spiritually mature and consistent in how we treat each other. He wants us to love like the Father loves. A love that does not care who “they” are or what they have done. The love that can say “forgive them” even when being persecuted.

Perfect in Love

Can you imagine what it would be like to experience that kind of love? According to Paul, all of our evangelism, our ministries, our church services are pointless without love (1 Corinthians 13:1–8). This love requires more than a smile or greeting at the door on the way in or out. It is a love that cannot be experienced out in the world. Yet, somehow we have gotten it backwards. We used to live by the saying: “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” Today, we seem to be living by the saying, “Love the sin, hate the sinner.”

So, I will restate Jesus’ challenge: Be Ye Perfect—in love. And what better place to start than  among your fellow God-followers? We can’t love the stranger walking through the door if we don’t love each other first. This means we must stop judging. We must stop gossiping. We must stop trying to cleanse the church of its imperfect members (or leaders), and start showing the love of God instead.

God’s still working on me and you, and we are called to love each other through that process. So regardless of how spiritually clean the people around you are—whether their theology is seriously flawed or they actually ate real cheese—just love what God is making them to be. As Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34, 35). May we be perfect in love, even as He is perfect!

The Gospel of Love

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It has been exactly one year since I started this blog. I can’t believe time has gone by so fast. I have gone through a lot during this last year (including a move—the reason for a lack of posts in the last couple of months). I have learned a lot and grown a lot as a result. I hope you have been blessed and challenged by my thoughts. I look forward to another great year of growing with you in Christ! 

I met my friend in Kindergarten. At that age practically everyone is your friend. However, he was my first best friend. There was something that just clicked between us. We shared everything. We got excited when the other got a good grade or won an award. We even looked forward to Christmas or birthdays when we would call each other to tell what we each had gotten for gifts. We were great friends. One day, to my surprise, he said that he wanted to come with me to my church. I was excited.

When I arrived to pick him up for church, I met his mother at the door. With a concerned look on her face, she said, “Please don’t hurt my son.” This took me by surprise. He was my best friend. I would never dream of hurting him! Besides, we were going to church—what bad could happen there?

When we arrived at church I needed to take the food to the kitchen for a potluck lunch. I told him to wait for me in the foyer and I’d be right back. When I returned, though, he wasn’t there. After looking for a few minutes and not finding him anywhere, I became worried. I finally asked the lady who stood by the entrance greeting people as they came in if she had seen my friend. “Yes” she said. “I sent him home.” What? Why? Her reason: “He knew better than to wear jeans to church, so I sent him home to change.”

I couldn’t believe my ears. She sent him home because he was wearing jeans? I went to church that day wondering how anyone could get hurt in church. But I found that the Bible actually prophesied that such things would happen near the end. This unfortunate prophecy is found in Matthew 24.

You may be familiar with this chapter. It is Jesus’ description of end-time events. Among these signs would be false prophets, wars, rumors of wars (4–6). Yet, these things should not alarm us—they are not the end, there is more to come. There would also be earthquakes, famines, diseases—these would all be the “beginning of birth pains” (7, 8). Like birth pains, they would start weaker and farther apart, and grow stronger and happening closer together. It is basically what we witness happening today, isn’t it?

In verse 9, though, the picture changes from global issues to people of God issues: persecution and being hated by the world. This also is not a surprise to us. Jesus warned us in John 15:18, 19 that the world will hate those who follow Him because it hated Him first. But there would be more.

“At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people” (Matthew 24:10, 11). Sadly, many will give up believing in the truth of God’s Word and will betray and hate each other. In other words, so-called “Christians” will hate those really following Christ. This hatred results from not wanting to hear the truth of God’s word. As this refusal of Bible truths grows, so will the appearance of false prophets or teachers—and many will be deceived. These prophets will be targeting those who are Christians, not the world. Their lies will invade churches (and not just in the Dark Ages—fresh lies are rising around us today).

Notice the effect of the efforts of the false teachers: “Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). The increase of wickedness is not just in the world; context says it is increasing in the church! This means love is growing cold among Christians. How tragic! Yet, regrettably, we also see this happening today. No longer are most “Christians” seen as loving. Instead, we are far too often seen as a hypocritical, judgmental, and hating people. The reason for this change goes back to the root issue: no longer loving the truth of God. Jesus said this would happen to many.

The love of many will grow cold, but not the love of everyone: “but he who stands firm to the end will be saved” (Matthew 24:13). This verse is talking about those who still love and do not increase in wickedness; those who are not led astray by false prophets and still love the truth and each other. It is not about standing firm in beliefs or doctrines, but about a people standing firm in their faith in God, His Word, and still living His love. It will be the character of those saved.

Now listen to this: “And this gospel of the Kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). This gospel; a specific gospel. The gospel of John 3:16 says, “For God so loved…” The gospel is all about love and trusting in God. This is the gospel that needs to go to the whole world. This is the same gospel that did not condemn a woman caught in adultery. The same gospel that accepted a condemned thief with a last minute revelation. A gospel of love that eats with sinners and tax-collectors. A gospel of love that seeks to save. It is not a Gospel that would send someone home for wearing jeans.

Of course, even if they are really sinning (and wearing jeans is not a sin) how can they change unless they come to God. How can they come to God if they aren’t drawn by His love. How can they see His love if we don’t show it (1 Corinthians 11)? We are to show the love of God to others. We are called to stand firm when others fall away; we’re called to hold to the truth and continue to love when others grow cold.

Do not forget what Jesus said: “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). It will not be in some unique doctrines, or a purity of standard, it will be seen in how we treat each other. Yet, our love can only grow if we are connected to God, the source of love. May you and I stand firm in truth and love, even as others grow cold! May others experience the love of God through us!