Matthew 5:46-48
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors, do they not do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Even the Gentiles, do they not do the same? Therefore you shall be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
As I read this I was uncertain about the word perfect. My assumption was Jesus was pointing out a meaning like Romans 3:23, “For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God”. So, I went to some commentaries and looked for their understanding. The word in greek referred to maturity.
I like that. Jesus wasn’t seeking to put us in our place, but to promote maturity. Ephesians 4:13 says, “until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God, as we mature to the full measure of the stature of Christ.” This is spiritual maturity.
What is spiritual maturity? Today’s verse is a great example. We are to love everyone. Jesus is saying that it’s natural to love our friends. It’s of God to love those who aren’t. So far in His sermon Jesus has brought up some difficult topics: don’t hate anyone, don’t resist those that are difficult and now be good and greet everyone. This was far more than what the religious leaders had taught the people.
Jesus is the new sheriff in town. He’s telling us how it is. He’s asking us to do more than we are capable of. The Law in the Old Testament was also too much. The leaders watered it down to make it something that could be kept. That wasn’t the intent. They were go to God to ask for forgiveness and help. We are to do the same.
The difference in the New Testament is that we are eternally forgiven and He made us born again and He helps us. Ezekiel 36:26 says, “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will remove your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” This is amazing. It gives us the desire to do these things that Jesus asks of us.
One of the last things Jesus said was in Acts 1:8, “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” He gives power to do the things He asks. We can love our enemies, we can love those that are difficult. It’s not easy but He works His will in us. He can make us perfect, mature that is.
Another aspect of maturity is the training of our spiritual senses. Hebrews 5:14 says, “but solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained their senses to distinguish good from evil.” When we are in God’s Word He uses that for growth and a deeper sense of His presence. We learn His voice and how He works.
A common way He works is through closed and opened doors. We live our lives and do what we think is right. He will often close or open a door. We may never know the reason. It might be to skip a temptation or to help someone. So, when we feel an interruption, ask Him about it. If we try again and blocked again, then stop.
He also puts desire in our hearts. That is as long as it’s not discouraged in the bible. Test it, follow it. Ask if He’s in it.
He also uses our consciences. He created this in all of us. If we are wrongly informed, then it uses that information to enforce that rule. As we are in God’s Word, those things get cleared up. We need to know that our conscience isn’t God. He can use it, but it can be over sensitive.
Along the line of open and closed doors, that is how He works in relationships. People will want to spend time us or not. Don’t get hurt, see it as God saving us time and effort. We don’t have to waste emotional effort in it. This has been freeing. I wish I understood this at a younger age.
Lord, thank You for Your ways. Thank You for leading us in them. Help us to grow in maturity.