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

Jesus throws this verse right in the middle of His sermon on the mount, right after a series of commands, many of which seem impossible to keep. Commands like…"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you.", Matthew 5:44. I don't know about you but I confess that for me, any hope of perfection went right out the window with that one. Suddenly I have to ask myself, "Why would Jesus tell us to be perfect as our Father in heaven is perfect when He knows good and well we can't?" At first glance it can be frustrating…that is until we realize that our ability to be perfect comes through the One who said it. Jesus tells us to do something impossible without him because he wants us to do it with Him. How awesome it is that we serve a God who doesn't set unattainable standards. How glorious it is that the standards that he does set are attainable through Him and in Him because he so desires to be in a relationship with us. I know I can't love my enemies the way Jesus said I should…but I know that We can. So the next time you find yourself frustrated at how you are responding in a particular situation, just remember…the Lord is with you in His perfection giving you the direction and strength you need to accurately reflect His righteousness. What a glorious truth that is!

Father, thank you for setting standards that are unattainable without you. Thank you that you love us enough in our imperfection, that you provided a way to be with us all of the time. May we surrender to your Fatherhood through your son knowing that in Jesus we are perfected until we come into that glorious, eternal union with you. In Jesus name…Amen.

God bless your day! May you realize each day this week how much Jesus longs to be with you…in everything. May you rest in the comfort of His perfection knowing that… though you fall short in many ways…our salvation through Him remains.