Devotionals
I have recently finished Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis again. As I was reading it and studying some of the points Lewis makes about what it means to be a Christian there was one concept that he discusses from the Beatitudes found in Matthew 5 that has made me stop and reflect. The idea is about perfection and if it is something we really seek after or if we as Christians today have deemed it impossible to achieve. One of the interesting points to me is about this idea is where it is found in scripture. The rest of the scripture addresses that we as Christians are to love our enemies.
“43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matt 5:43-48 (ESV)
This first verse is repeated from Leviticus 19:18 but Jesus expands and turns this command upside down or maybe it’s right side up. It’s easy for us to love those who we have things in common with. But we as Christians are called to do more than that. We as individuals represent Christ in all that we do. You might wonder what my point is; to be honest Christ was perfect, but He was not perfect because of anything He did he was perfect because He was living under the power and authority of His Father in heaven. As Christians today we often fail to understand that we have been given that same power and authority. We start our days out working under or own power and thinking that we are good people and that we have the right to do this or that. Thinking that our current standing with God has made us greater than those we are around every day; but to be honest we have no rights to think or feel that way. The truth is we have only received more of God’s grace and mercy. Jesus was made perfect through the power of the Holy Spirit. He became obedient to God’s will and followed after God’s plan and desires so that you and I would one day be able to be made perfect. The problem is it is a process for us; the flesh must die a little everyday and be replaced with power of the Holy Spirit. Perfection is possible but it is not something we can achieve on our own. It is something we should seek after in all that we do and say. The question is do we desire to be sons and daughters of a perfect God or are we content with the mediocre lives we live now. The simple truth is God desires for us to be made perfect your choice is are you willing to begin the journey? Have a blessed day as you walk in the light of God’s word.
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 635 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Rev. Brian Mathis or search for other articles by topic below.
This article has been read 635 times < Previous | Next >
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.