Jesus famously said, “Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). That’s a tall order! But it doesn’t mean “perfect” in the way we think of the word, to be without imperfections. It has more to do with fulfilling our purpose. And by looking at the wider context of this statement, it’s clear to see that Jesus had a very specific idea in mind when He spoke of perfection.
Going back to verse 43, Jesus said:
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 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. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Did you get that? Jesus’s instruction regarding perfection was in the context of loving our enemies. To love one’s enemies is the same as to love those who are different from us. Just look at verse 43 again. The juxtaposition isn’t between neighbor and stranger; it’s neighbor and enemy. We see it again in verse 47: “And if you greet only your own people…” Therefore, in first century culture anyone who was not your neighbor was potentially your enemy, even if you didn’t know them. They aren’t one of your people.
In short, according to Jesus, the road to perfection is through loving those who are not one of us. Thankfully, in today’s world, we get lots of opportunities to do just that. How many minorities (and particularly refugees) live right in your community? Could you find ways to love them? If that’s too hard, try donating to a group that helps refugees resettle in the US. Surprisingly, it can be harder to love “the other” living in your own community than if they are half-way around the world. But if we are to be obedient to Christ, we must find a way to do just that.
