Be Ye Perfect

Jesus said that we were to be perfect as our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:48). Perfection is a high standard, especially if we thank of perfection as a list of what to do and what not to do. Such a list is often called sins of commission and sins of omission. I do not think that is what Jesus meant. Jesus’ early followers thought of perfection in terms of Jesus’ great commandment. First, we are love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, and mind and the second is to love our neighbor as ourselves. (Matthew 22:36-39). Sin is falling short of this commandment. We can fall short in so many ways by our attitude and/or behaviors. Greed and gluttony keep us from sharing the bountiful gifts God has given us. Acedia and sloth keep us from following through with our good intentions. Vainglory and pride keep us focused on ourselves rather than our neighbors. Lust causes us to use people rather than respectfully love them. We can become so focused on our differences such as: economics, education, race, sexual orientation, religious denominations, etc. that we diminish or cease loving God and our neighbors. We see others as we have been conditioned to see them, rather than see others as God sees them. I think God’s goal for us is to see and treat God, all neighbors and ourselves with love. With this ‘love standard’ as perfection, it seems we have a long way to go in loving God and loving our neighbor as ourselves.