The Gospel of Matthew, when it quotes Jesus as saying, “Be perfect, as your Heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:47), seems to appeal directly to all those who are driven by perfectionism. Striving with all their might and resources to be without any detectable flaw or defect – at least hoping that they look that way to others – they are assured only of failure. It is not possible to be perfect in this way. So relax. That isn’t what Jesus is getting at.
Maybe checking out the parallel passage in Luke would be helpful. “Be merciful, as your Father is merciful.” (Luke 6:36) God’s perfection is most clearly recognized in a compassion that includes all people. The context for both statements (Matthew’s and Luke’s) is Jesus’ exhortation to extend love even to our enemies, those who hate us, speak badly about us, harm us. Jesus uses the example of the sun and rain that God bestows equally on bad/good, just/unjust, ungrateful/thankful people alike.
We are called, commanded in fact, to love as we have been loved. Our love needs to become more and more inclusive (and not just for those nearby). And as God is perfectly God, we are to become perfectly our less than perfect selves – the best that we can be today (and maybe a bit more loving tomorrow?).
Ângelo José de Freitas Cardoso says:
Olá, Tim! Muito boa a forma como você colocou. Simplificou uma passagem que às vezes nos assusta – ser perfeito, como? Mas como você disse muito bem, o que Ele quer é que nos amenos cada dia mais, uns aos outros.
Grande abraço,
Ângelo José.
Jana Buckley says:
I like the parallel passage that was thrown in there as well. I think it helps to carry your interpretation of the Scripture that it is not expecting perfection but for us to model ourselves after Jesus’ example.