The Impossibility Of Being Perfect

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. - 1 Peter 4:12

Have you ever asked, "Why is this happening to me?" Why are they treating me this way? Hidden behind those questions is the underlying assumption “I don’t deserve it!”  Here is the deal … bad things will happen to “good” people … even to someone as good as you are.  Did you deserve what happened to you? Perhaps or perhaps not.  Whichever the case the issue is how will you respond to what happened. For most of us our response is to hunker down in our foxhole and fire back with “righteous indignation” and perhaps sorrow if the offender happens to hold a close place in our heart. 

You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you. “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that?  And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:38-48

I recall some years ago my wife and I were serving on the gulf coast of Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina. It was January as I recall. I had not planned on the weather being cold there - but it was. I was talking to a group of volunteers about the house they were going to work on. One of the men saw that I did not have a coat and he asked me about it. I told him that I had not planned for the cold weather and did not have a coat. The fact was that my comfort was not my primary concern. So he took his coat off and gave it to me. I was shocked, frankly. I thank him for the gift of the coat. Then I said with a grin, "You know the bible says that if a man asks you for your coat, give him your shirt also. YES, I know I actually misquoted Matthew 5. He smiled back and said "You can have my coat but I am not giving you my shirt!" That coat that is still hanging in my closet waiting for the next cold day. I think about him every time I put it on!

Matthew 5 says "Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect."  Wow! How hard is that?  It’s not humanly possible. You will never respond the way Jesus told you to if you try to do it on your own.  The response to others in 1 Peter and Matthew 5 are not derived from the human will but by faith in Jesus and the power of the Spirit in you.  Stop trying to live the Christian life in obedience to the Word of God through your own human determination ... it just does not work.  What is impossible for you is "HIM-possible" for Jesus.  

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. - Philippians 4:13

Think about it – Pray about it – Believe it – Walk in it. Let your light shine and give God the glory.

By Faith Alone By His Grace Alone And For His Glory Alone