Photo by Karl Fredrickson
In a previous post, I told a story of a church member’s shocking reaction towards my friend for wearing jeans to church. Unfortunately, such reactions are not that rare in Christianity. Sadly, these days Christians are known more for being critical, judgmental, and condemning rather than gracious, merciful, and loving. Of course, most would claim the reason for our toughness on the immorality of others is that we have a standard to uphold. Many would quickly quote Matthew 5:48, which says we are to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Because of this goal, we feel the need to measure and enforce such perfection.
Yet this feeling rises from of misunderstandings of that text and our role in judgment and conviction. Sure, 1 Corinthians 6:2, 3 says we will judge angels, but it says “will.” Not yet—we don’t have all the information. The Bible also talks of holding fellow Christians accountable, but always in the context of grace, gentleness and love (see Galatians 6:1 and 1 Timothy 5:20). The Bible is also very clear that conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit. Besides, can we really change each other? Why would we think we can when we can’t even change ourselves (Jeremiah 13:23)! If we are not to judge (yet) and we cannot bring true conviction, how could it be our job to perfect the church?
Perfecting the Church?
Yet, in our desire to create “perfection” in our churches, we create a human standard (according to our preferences) so strict that many who need Jesus can’t come to Him. Too many churches tell people they can’t do things that God allows, and allow people to do things that God detests! No, we are not to perfect God’s people; we are not to try to convict; we are not to judge. Jesus says plainly in Matthew 7:1, “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.”
You might be wondering: what are we supposed to do about Jesus’ teachings on perfection? The passage in question: Matthew 5:48—“You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” First, if we are made perfect, it is God’s doing not ours (see Ezekiel 20:12 and Philippians 1:6). Second, this text doesn’t say anything about being sinless or being perfect in actions. We assume that’s what it means, but the word in the Greek means “mature, complete.” (In fact, never once does the word for perfect in action appear in the Bible to describe man. It is only used to describe God!) Of course, we would understand the meaning of Jesus’ challenge if we would just read the context.
The Context of Matthew 5:48
Jesus starts this topic in verse 43. He counters a common understanding with the truth. The world believes people should get what they deserve. The world says it’s okay to hate your enemies, but Jesus sets a new standard: love them and pray for them. It is noteworthy that verse 45 starts with “so that.” In other words, we do the former because of the latter. We love and pray for our enemies, “so that, you may be the sons of your Father who is in heaven.” To be children you must behave as the Father does—He is impartial in His love for us. He loves us all equally and allows blessings to fall on everyone.
Then, in verses 46 and 47, Jesus further challenges us to rise above the world. Love the unloveable—the not-good-enough. Do you give the same love to everyone? Every church believes they are a loving church, yet most only show love to the lovable (or they only show love while at church). Here’s a tough question: is the “love” shown by you at church really any different than the “love” shown at a local bar or even by a greeter at Wal-Mart?
Jesus brings the idea home in verse 48: be perfect, therefore, as our heavenly Father is perfect. The context is not about purified actions, it is about the central theme of Jesus’ ministry and teachings to His disciples. It is the summation of the Law (Matthew 22:37–40). It is the identifier of a disciple (John 13:35). He is calling us to be perfect in love. Becoming spiritually mature and consistent in how we treat each other. He wants us to love like the Father loves. A love that does not care who “they” are or what they have done. The love that can say “forgive them” even when being persecuted.
Perfect in Love
Can you imagine what it would be like to experience that kind of love? According to Paul, all of our evangelism, our ministries, our church services are pointless without love (1 Corinthians 13:1–8). This love requires more than a smile or greeting at the door on the way in or out. It is a love that cannot be experienced out in the world. Yet, somehow we have gotten it backwards. We used to live by the saying: “Love the sinner, hate the sin.” Today, we seem to be living by the saying, “Love the sin, hate the sinner.”
So, I will restate Jesus’ challenge: Be Ye Perfect—in love. And what better place to start than among your fellow God-followers? We can’t love the stranger walking through the door if we don’t love each other first. This means we must stop judging. We must stop gossiping. We must stop trying to cleanse the church of its imperfect members (or leaders), and start showing the love of God instead.
God’s still working on me and you, and we are called to love each other through that process. So regardless of how spiritually clean the people around you are—whether their theology is seriously flawed or they actually ate real cheese—just love what God is making them to be. As Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:34, 35). May we be perfect in love, even as He is perfect!