Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect. – Matthew 5:48

Scripture reading: Matthew 5:37-48

Jesus never shied away from confronting us with God’s perfect moral standard. In this text, He requires perfection. The reason for this, according to Jesus, is because your Father in heaven is perfect! Think about it, God is complete, faultless and totally sufficient in every aspect of Himself; His Being is perfect. His ways, words, laws, and desires are perfect. His knowledge and wisdom are perfect. He is impeccable!

One of the glorious ways in which God’s perfection is shown is that He patiently allows rebellious sinners to enjoy His generosity. He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good and sends rain on the just and the unjust. Even when they try to fault God, their attempts tragically show they are blinded to the glory of God’s perfection. That’s because they are blinded to the glory of God’s Son and to their own imperfections.

God’s powerful remedy is opening our eyes to the glory of Christ, the only Mediator our High Priest. Hebrews states about Him, “For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; (…)  for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself.” (Hebrews 7:26-28). Christ offered Himself up for rebels, such as we are by nature. Will we by the power of His Spirit, mirror His generosity towards rebellious and blind sinners around us?

Suggestions for prayer

Pray that you and I may reflect more of God’s perfect character through the power of His Holy Spirit living in us.

Rev. Pieter van der Hoek has been serving the Heritage Reformed Church of Burgessville since 2017. This daily devotional is also available in a print edition you can buy at Nearer to God Devotional.