“You are to be perfect, even as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48).” But what does this “perfection” look like? Jesus isn’t asking us to achieve flawlessness overnight. Instead, He’s inviting us to embody the lavish love, sacrifice, and generosity that defines our Heavenly Father. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus helps to paint a picture of what perfection looks like… there’s an art to it!
Imagine you are a painter, meticulously dipping into the colors of perfection the Father gave. Each color represents an aspect of God’s character that, as His image bearers, we are meant to display. Our lives are the ‘canvas’ stretched wide to accommodate the needs of others, releasing the grip of control, embracing the messiness of relationships, and accepting the uncertainty of outcomes.
The art of becoming perfect requires actions like our Father, who “causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:45). With each stroke, we are brushing strokes of kindness, compassion, generosity, and forgiveness onto the canvas. When it’s all completed, the perfect masterpiece looks like love. Perfect because of our willingness to love without condition, sacrifice without expectation, and give without measure. Put this love on display one day at a time.
Jessica Klootwtyk
Discipleship Director