“You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48 Amplified Bible)
Our targeted destination, as believers in this life, is the same: perfection. While we will never reach that high standard in this life, certainly we can all strive to reach our destination continuously, putting forth the individual effort to live out what The Message Bible calls, “Your God-created identity, Yes, we have a God-created identity for we are new creatures in Christ Jesus! Old things have passed away and all things have become new. Thank you, Jesus!
You have heard me quote a phrase from my last place of employment before; a borrowed phrase from the mantra that was printed on an overhead banner for all the company’s employees to see daily. I’m sure you can recall it, but if you need a refresher, don’t worry. I’ll gladly share it with you again: “Strive for perfection and achieve excellence.”
Granted, our paths to our desired objective varies. On top of that, it is a given fact that for some the path to our destination is easier to navigate than it is for others. Our navigation ability as we maneuver upward toward perfection is impacted by the degree of our personal determination and the sacrificial, submissive, energy we exert on the way up, of course; committed to the climb. Those who don’t seem to be experiencing ease in progressing, usually are those who (1) forget or fail to devote time to developing faith by putting it into action, (2) act on their own accord instead of according to the principles for living that are found in the word of God, (3) forsake the assembly of the saints where the word can be proclaimed and explained, and (4) embrace the justification process, but ignore the sanctification process.
What’s the remedy? Let me provide you with a paraphrased version of the opening verse above. Before you read it, here are the words that stood out to me right away, “Grow up!” And no, you are not through growing up! Smile! Be blessed!
“In a word, what I’m saying is, Grow up. You’re kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.” (Matthew 5:48 The Message Bible)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King