MONDAY March 9, 2020

Be Perfect

“For if you love those who love you, what reward 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.”
Matthew 5:46-48

Jesus stated the obvious. It is really easy for people to love their friends––those who love them––but to love someone who has hurt us––now that is difficult! Jesus taught that we should aim to be just like our Father in heaven––perfect. However, we cannot attain perfection and live up to the high standard Jesus taught on the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus’ words help us to see that we need the grace of God working in our lives. God needs to build Christian character within our lives.

During the day, we have evil thoughts and actions, and by the time we go to bed, we would be condemned to hell if it were not for the grace of God! We need God’s grace because we all fail daily; it is our sinful nature, for without Him I can do nothing (John 15:5). The grace of God will keep us as we pray and ask for forgiveness. God cleanses us of our sin each day (John 1:9).

Disciples of Christ need to understand the grace of God as it speaks of their position in Christ. Christians have the power, the leading and the conviction of the Holy Spirit to direct their lives. Believers are warned by God’s Spirit not to commit sin. Seriously, understand this fact: no one escapes anything they do in secret––in the darkness. One day we will all have to face God.

Always take God’s Word at face value; He speaks clearly to each one of us. We need God’s wisdom and knowledge, His power and anointing, His leading, His guiding and His grace in our lives. Each of us needs to work on our own personal lives, as we cannot live hypocritical lives.

We please Him most, not by frantically trying to make ourselves good, but by throwing ourselves into His arms with all our imperfections and believing that He understands everything and still loves us.
~A.W. Tozer~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!