Will Be
Matthew 5:48
“Therefore, just as your heavenly Parent is perfect in showing love to everyone, so also you must be perfect.”
I remember the first time I heard this passage as a kid. I was struck with confusion and dread: God demands perfection?? I can’t live up to that!!
There are various ways to reframe this verse. To begin with, the Greek adjective teleios has less to do with “flawlessness” and more to do with wholeness; we could also translate it as “complete” or even “fully matured,” “full-grown.”
The verb translated must be, meanwhile, is actually in the future tense and not imperative (i.e. not a command): “you will be perfect.” Jesus is not demanding perfection from us right now; he’s assuring us that one day we will be complete.
Learning to love well and live in right relationship with others and with God is a lifelong journey. Jesus doesn’t expect us to be there right now, and he accompanies us as we work towards wholeness.
Do you struggle with feelings that you have to be perfect? That you aren’t “good enough”? Who or what helps you navigate those feelings? How might it feel to reframe “perfection” as a journey towards wholeness?
— Avery Arden
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