Jesus teaches His followers to be perfect as their Father in heaven is perfect. This teaching was not controversial in the midst of the disciples, because no one asked Jesus to explain the meaning. And no one argued with Him about the impossibility of the practical teachings.

But, it is unfortunate that the teaching of perfection is a strong argument in our midst today. I always smile when people beside me say statements like: “It is impossible to be perfect like God… Human beings on earth cannot be perfect… You cannot be equal to God… Blasphemy! …etc.”

My question to everyone is: “Can Jesus ask us to do something that is impossible?”

I would explain the intention of Jesus in this article as regards the need for you to become perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect. Before I proceed, I want you to listen to this story:

“One day, an expert in time management was speaking to a group of business students and, to drive home a point, used an illustration those students will never forget. As he stood in front of the group of high-powered overachievers he said, “Okay, time for a quiz” and he pulled out a one-gallon wide-mouth mason jar and set it on the table in front of him. He also produced about a dozen fist-sized rocks and carefully placed them, one at a time, into the jar.

When the jar was filled to the top and no more rocks would fit inside, he asked, “Is this jar full?” Everyone in the class yelled, “Yes.”

The time management expert replied, “Really?” He reached under the table and pulled out a bucket of gravel. He dumped some gravel in and shook the jar causing pieces of gravel to work themselves down into the spaces between the big rocks.

He then asked the group once more, “Is the jar full?”

By this time the class was on to him. “Probably not,” one of them answered. “Good!” he replied. He reached under the table and brought out a bucket of sand. He started dumping the sand in the jar and it went into all the spaces left between the rocks and the gravel. Once more he asked the question, “Is this jar full?”

“No!” the class shouted.

Once again he said, “Good.” Then he grabbed a pitcher of water and began to pour it in until the jar was filled to the brim. Then he looked at the class and asked, “What is the point of this illustration?”

One eager beaver raised his hand and said, “The point is, no matter how full your schedule is, if you try really hard you can always fit some more things in it!”

“No,” the speaker replied, “that’s not the point. The truth this illustration teaches us is: If you don’t put the big rocks in first, you’ll never get them in at all.”

If you reflect on this short story, then I want you to ask yourself this question: what are the ‘big rocks’ in my life. If your big rocks are fruits of the Spirit (such as; love, long-suffering, self-control…), then put those characters in your ‘jar’ first. That is the only way you can understand the perfect status the Lord want you to be with Him.

What Does Jesus Mean By ‘Perfect’?

Let’s read the full passage for proper understanding of the word ‘perfect’. The book of Matthew chapter 5 verse 43 to 48 says: “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’

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, “that you may be sons of your Father 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 rewards have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? “And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? “Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Jesus specifically taught His followers about ’Agape Love’, ‘Impartial Love’, and ‘Perfect Love’.

Jesus changed the Law of Moses to a perfect law. He does not want us to hate any human being (though they might be your enemies). Jesus wants us to imitate the perfect love that our Lord practices on every person. For instance, the Lord gives natural resources such as sun, rain and mineral resources to both the Christians and non-Christians.

So, practice the perfect love even as your Father in Heaven is perfect in love. The failure of this generation to adhere to the teachings of perfect love led to high rates of crime, terrorism, divorce and worst of it all is the terrible division among the Christians.

It is saddening to hear a pastor referring to another pastor of a different denomination as his enemy. Hmm! Thank God there is no church denominations in heaven…

Is it a Difficult Task to be Perfect?

Note: you are not in a competition with the Lord. To be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect does not imply flexing your muscles with the Lord.

To be perfect implies a positive change of attitude to bad people around you. It’s all about the character of love. Your need to be perfect does not involve the struggle to climb on the throne of God. But, you are expected to imitate the Lord’s kind of perfect and pure love with your friends and enemies.

To Be Perfect Means:

1. Love your enemies

2. Bless those who curse you

3. Do good to those who hate you

4. Pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you

Every child of God is required to practice the four steps above. No argument!! (Matthew 5:45a)

I am sure you won’t tell me that it is difficult for you to love! Love is an attitude that everyone finds it easy to either release or withdraws. So, Jesus is asking you to release your heart of love, not only to your friends, but also to your enemies.

If you help those who do not love you, then you are practicing perfection.

If you love those who are not from your race, then you are perfect.

Don’t be deceived by false preachers who give you the impression that you cannot be perfect (in love). You have all it takes to love…

You can be perfect. A true follower of Jesus must practice perfect love. Children of God do not (sin) disobey the instruction of Jesus. The book of first John chapter 3 verses 9 says: “Whoever has been born of God does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of God.”

So, I want you to understand the following facts:

Your call to become perfect is to love, and help your friends and enemies.

It has nothing to do with competition with the Lord.

You can be perfect, if and only if your lifestyle is controlled by the fruits of the Spirit. Read Galatians chapter 5 verse 22 to 24 for the details on the fruits of the Spirit.

The power to love is in your hands. So, to become perfect in love is not a difficult task.

May the Lord empower you with His Word of Salvation in Jesus name – Amen