“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 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. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.There are a number of scriptures where we are admonished to be perfect; my question became "what does this passage teach me about the perfection of Our Father and how I should be perfect?" After re-reading the passage and giving it some thought, here is my conclusion:
Jesus is talking about loving people, even it they don't love you back. Our Father in heaven sends sunshine and rain on everyone one, regardless of whether people acknowledge Him as the source and thank Him for the gift. In fact, he does so even when people are evil and persecute Him! He shows no partiality when it comes to love. Even when they strike out at him and crucify Him, Jesus cries out from the cross: "forgive them for they know not what they do." Jesus is our model of perfect love.
So I strive for perfection when it comes to love. In my own strength, this is an impossible task... but with God, all things are possible.
Come Holy Spirit and love through me in ways that I cannot love on my own. Help me to love those who have hurt or disappointed me. Help me love those who cannot or will not love me back. Help me to love as you love. Help me to be perfect.
