Matthew 5:48
Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.
Living our lives in the truths of the Gospel would be absolutely impossible without the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Religion is often the practice of false humility, a feeble attempt to live out these truths while employing elaborate cover-ups when we fail.
Religion creates “rules” to cover up the failure to obediently walk out the teachings of Jesus Christ. Religion and false humility conspire to keep nasty little secrets. Following Jesus Christ without letting Him lead us is a losing proposition.
True piety comes from a robust confidence in our new creation identity. If our piety is based on our best efforts, it will not last and will fail to meet our own preconceived notions of what a Christian should be. So, how do we live perfectly? By steadfastly agreeing with the truth in the Word of God.
Jesus said that the two most important commandments are to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself.
Self-love, which is the adoration of the finished work of Jesus Christ in us—not selfishness—sets us free to truly love other people. We must forgive ourselves in order to extend true forgiveness to others. We must not keep a record of wrongs against ourselves if we are to truly love others.
We must highly value ourselves if we are to value others. We are to love the marvelous work that Jesus Christ has done in us. We are to love the status that the Son of God has imparted to us when He made us new creations. Jesus Christ has given us new, abundant life.
The truth is:
- We are forgiven of ALL our sins!
- We are not condemned!
- We are no longer identified as sinners!
- We are free from all accusations!
- We are made righteous!
- We are now holy!
- We are highly valued!
- We are blameless and above reproach!
- We are set free, healed, and delivered!
- We will never be alone!
- We are separated from our flesh because our flesh is crucified with Christ and no longer lives!
- We can do many impossible tasks in this lifetime!
- We have the wisdom of the ages, and the Holy Spirit to teach and guide us into all mysteries!
Employing the truth of the Word of God, no matter what we see or feel is how we walk in the perfection of Jesus Christ that has been so benevolently given to us. We can’t “make” ourselves more perfect—and we don’t have to.
Simply believing in, agreeing with, and accepting that the Word of God is true will bring the transformation we so greatly desire. In other words, believing that we have been made perfect, while disregarding emotions and false narratives, will automatically produce perfect behavior.
The only way to love our enemies is with confidence in our new creation identities. Then we will see their God-given value just as we see ours. We will realize our battle is not with people but with powers, principalities, and the darkness that Jesus Christ has defeated.
He has handed us His victory so that we walk in His authority and power over them. Then we will see many people give their lives to our King, see His kingdom expand, and watch the kingdom of darkness shrink.
Hallelujah!
Father, I am so grateful for Your amazing grace, love, and provision of new life. I will not take Your free gift of salvation for granted. I will take every thought captive that says I’m not who You say I am. I’m truly thankful for the way You provided Your perfection for me to be covered in so that I can have a close, intimate relationship with You.
Holy Spirit, please teach me more truths and help me to see where I have missed Your truth so that I might correct my misunderstandings. I will let people off the hook just as You let me off the hook. You set me free, and You placed my feet on a solid rock. I trust You implicitly. You are worthy of my complete allegiance. I’m grateful beyond words. I love You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.