The Bible teaches us and in fact commands us to be perfect!? Why would God command us to do something that we know is impossible this side of heaven? Everyone has a sinful nature andlives in a sinful world. When we come upon scripture that does not make sense to us, then we’ve come to a place in scripture that has a deep truth for us to learn.

Note: The word for us to be “perfect” here comes from the Greek word “teleioi”. It means to be complete or mature and more specifically, one who continues to grow in the Lord.

So when scripture commands us to be “perfect” it doesn’t mean that we are to be pompous arrogant people who walk around with a superior attitude over others. Being perfect here is a command to pursue the perfect ways of God in our life. Making us a more complete vessel for God. One that continues to grow maturely in the Lord.

This passage reveals the growing nature of God’s character in our lives. It compares our original nature in contrast to the nature of God. The command to be perfect is a command to be like Him/Jesus. Our imperfect nature is being transformed into His perfect nature.

Let’s compare our imperfect nature with an example of our Heavenly Father’s nature, and determine for ourselves if we are actively pursuing the perfection of God in our lives.

For example: How do we deal with our enemies?

Mark 12: 30 – 31 holds the key to pursuing God’s perfect nature:

How well do you love people in general, regardless of race, creed or religious beliefs? When you hear the word “Muslim” what do you think? Do you pray for Muslims as fellow human beings in need of Savior, as you did? Likewise, what do you think of radical terrorists? They are enemies, not only to America, but to countries around the world. They are persecutors, yet God still loves them as he loves us. He wants everyone equally to come to know Him as Savior. Therefore, our first response to those who are lost or are our enemies, should be to pray for them to be saved through faith in Jesus Christ…just as you have been. Consider what God told the Jews in Deuteronomy 23:7

Why did God command the Jews to love their most hated enemies? For one reason…to bring glory to God! When our actions reflect God’s character, rather than our own, it brings glory to God. When we bring glory to God it reflects the perfection of God’s character in our lives!

How we view, speak to, and behave towards our enemies will determine if we are reflecting the perfect nature of God in our lives. The perfect nature of God can only be evident in our lives by a continual pursuit of a closer walk with Jesus Christ our Lord. When we see the perfect nature of God revealed through our conduct, we are being the children that our Heavenly Father wants us to be.

Note: We are not called to be complacent with the wicked and profane nature of evil men, but we are to love persecutors through the act of prayer and concern for them as individuals, because they are fellow human beings. The Apostle Peter also teaches us this concept in I Peter 3:9.

When we do this we reflect the perfect nature of God in our lives.