MEMORISE:
Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect. Matthew 5:48
READ: Matthew 5:38-48
38 Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth:
39 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
40 And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also.
41 And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.
42 Give to him that asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away.
43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine 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 which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
47 And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
MESSAGE:
One of the commandments of God that is considered by many as impossible to keep is found in Matthew 5:48: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It is generally believed that perfection is not achievable by any human being. The biblical concept of perfection involves two main ideas which are wholeness and purity. Wholeness involves bringing something to maturity while purity refers to sanctification. Perfection can be seen from three major perspectives in the Bible and these are physical, moral and spiritual. Physical perfection talks about something that is outwardly spotless, clean and healthy. Moral perfection refers to acting in the manner perceived to be right at all times, while spiritual perfection focuses on holiness and sanctification.
If a person is examined and is lacking in just one of these aspects, he loses his perfect status. For this reason, many scoffs at any talk of perfection among believers. However, when God says be perfect, He expects us to take it seriously. I have always told my children that perfection is achievable and that it was a matter of personal conviction. It is made possible through salvation, sanctification, and the fruit of the Holy Spirit. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
“All scripture …..is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect…..”
The journey to perfection starts with the word of God. Scripture teachings must be the basis for the development of our personal ideology and worldview. Every rebuke and admonition in the Bible must be strictly applied to our lives. A perfect Christian is he who is born again, sanctified and has learned by experience to discern between good and evil. You can do all things by the grace of God (Philippians 4:13). May you receive the grace to succeed in your journey towards perfection, in the mighty Name of Jesus.
PRAYER POINT:
Father, please grant me the grace to pursue perfection diligently- physically, morally and spiritually, in the mighty Name of Jesus.
BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: Amos 1-5.
AUTHOR: PASTOR E. A. ADEBOYE
HYMN 12: I AM THINE OH LORD.
1. I am Thine, O Lord, I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me;
But I long to rise in the arms of faith
And be closer drawn to Thee.
o Refrain:
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died;
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To Thy precious, bleeding side.
2. Consecrate me now to Thy service, Lord,
By the pow’r of grace divine;
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
3. Oh, the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer, and with Thee, my God
I commune as friend with friend!
4. There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
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