compelled by love.
At our best, we reach out to comfort those who hurt; to create a place of safety and healing for those who need refuge because we want what is best for them. That is called ‘compassion’.
But God asks us to do more, to be PERFECT in how we love. Do we have a path to such perfection? What does it require of us? On the topic of love Jesus says to the crowd ~
“You have heard that it was said ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For He makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.”
“For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” Matthew 5:43-47
“You therefore must be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
Matthew 5:48
Jesus places an emphasis on being love. The heart of His point is so important it is elevated above all else He teaches. Be perfect in love. Even more emphasis…you must be perfect in love. Why? Because our heavenly Father is perfect in love.
Only one other place in His interactions with people does Jesus use the word ‘perfect’, and that is when He tells a man who wants to gain eternal life “If you would be perfect, go – sell what you possess and give it to the poor and you will have treasure in heaven. And come follow me”.
Again it is the same thing; to be perfect in love.
God does not provide for us a regimen of attaining perfection by going through religious levels of ordainment. He never says that by our works will our eternity or lives be perfected. Only God is perfect because God is perfect in love. It is the only thing He asks us to be perfect in. To be more succinct, the word is MUST.
If we follow what God says, we must do as He says. Be perfect in love.
You may do this by reaching out, offering a coat or a meal to one who is in need from even the little you have. You may do this by adapting your life to shelter one who needs to find a safe place, one free of bullies and risk. Do not go big, but keep it sacred and on the quiet. This is between you and God. This is love being perfected daily. Amen
