Thought for the Day
Matthew 5:43-48 You have heard that it has been said, You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy. (44) But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them who despitefully use you, and persecute you; (45) That you may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he makes his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. (46) For if you love them which love you, what reward have you? do not even the publicans the same? (47) And if you salute your brethren only, what do you more than others? do not even the publicans so? (48) Be therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
When we think of defining perfection or even someone trying to be perfect, we come away with a much different view of the subject than our Lord does. Most people view perfection in light of not making mistakes or elevating ourselves to a high level of appearance or performance. God places perfection here in the context of how we demonstrate His love to others including our enemies. We are to "be perfect" as "our Father in heaven is perfect". He does this by allowing His sun to shine and His rain to fall on the good and the bad. (v.45) Of course this does not mean that He overlooks sin and allows just anyone into Heaven, but it shows that His compassionate acts as the Creator toward His creation is not limited to just those who treat Him with the honor He is due. If our Father is willing to demonstrate such unbounded compassion, why not us? Why not me? Be perfect; treat others with the kindness the Lord has shown to you!
Find that person who is getting on your last nerve today and show them kindness, not because they deserve it, but because this is what your Father does. This is true perfection!
If you are uncertain of your relationship with God check out the link "How to Know God" at www.fbc301.org.
