We are human and prone to mistakes, misunderstandings, and other influences towards our fallen nature that keep us from being absolutely perfect. There are those times where we may find exceptional achievement, but most times we fall short in some way. Perfection, however, is not an illusion. It is something that we can strive for in our spiritual lives. Jesus challenges a rich man with such a goal. Matthew 19:21, “Jesus answered, ‘If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’” Why would Jesus give this man what appears to be a nearly impossible task? It would seem impossible if we didn’t understand the word “perfect.” The word is not implying that we should be continually living without fault. This form of perfection relates to love. Jesus is literally addressing the unconditional love of agape. In other words, Jesus is saying that we must strive to love as God does which includes expressing such love through radical forgiveness and unselfish giving. He is asking for undivided loyalty and full-hearted obedience. Radical discipleship. What does that form of perfection look like? Jesus gave us the answer earlier in Matthew 5:43-48, “You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.’” We are to strive for perfection in our love of neighbor. What is unique in that is we do not get to determine who those neighbors get to be. It applies to all people. We are not allowed to pick and choose who we’ll love. Again, we love as God loves. The word Matthew uses for “perfect” is the Greek word “teleios” which means “mature” or “full grown.” We must grow in our faith. We must become mature believers. In our Methodist tradition, we call this “going on towards perfection” or “sanctification” where we surrender to God in faith and die to self so that we can be conformed to the image of Christ through the work of the Holy Spirit within us. Jesus was challenging the rich man not because he was rich. Jesus challenged him with having a divided mind. He had a cerebral faith, but not a heart-faith. He knew all about it, but didn’t live it. Yes, he obeyed the laws, but not out of a loving heart. Jesus sets the standard of undivided loyalty and full-hearted obedience. Radical discipleship. When pursuing a life of perfection, we must learn to reconcile each day with questions such as “what was more important to me than God, today?” “Why was I willing to compromise obedience for convenience?” “Who didn’t I love unconditionally?” These aren’t all the questions, but I think you get the point. We cannot follow Jesus from a distance or when we have time or feel it is to our benefit. His commands are not suggestions. Jesus is not asking us to “pencil him in” our schedule. He is asking us to be our full schedule and to center our life on him. Work on being perfect. Love unconditionally. Live out your faith. Grow and deepen your faith. Follow Jesus. Be like Jesus. Especially to those who are your enemies or persecuting you…to the ones who hate you and are despitefully using you. Love is true perfection.
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We find a very uncomfortable statement made by Jesus to Peter in Luke 22:31, that reads, “Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift all of you as wheat.” What is more intriguing is that Jesus doesn’t stop it or prevent it from happening, but rather prays that Peter’s faith would not fail during the sifting. It is a prayer for our faith as well!
What is this sifting? The word used for “sift” means “inward agitation to try one's faith to the verge of overthrow” or can have a figurative interpretation to mean “to riddle.” One of the greatest acts of “sifting” by Satan is his use of doubt in God or to question God. One of the earliest examples is from Genesis 3:1 when Satan tried to get Eve to doubt God when he questioned, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” Satan’s tactics were no different with Jesus during Christ’s 40-days in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11). Satan will always try to trick us into accepting his offers on things that were never his to give. All we need and every promise assured us comes from God and God, alone. The things of God were never Satan’s to give in the first place. We should not barter, bargain, or deal with the Devil. We should never want anything from him. The deception and sifting process is to encourage self-sufficiency by questioning God’s provision and love. Satan wants us to believe that God is not enough and doesn’t have our best interest in mind. Satan wants to instill doubt so that we turn from God and stop trusting his promises. This is what makes 1 Peter 5:8 such a powerful lesson for us. We are warned to “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” The distraction is not getting what you think will be your goal or gained independence. What you actually receive, in the end, is destruction, chaos, and death. What, at first, appears to be for your benefit actually ends up being a complete disaster....total annihilation. Life-long messes to clean up and recover from. If you are doubting God or questioning his love, care and best for you, then realize where those thoughts, challenges, and feelings are coming from. Your adversary, the devil, is doing everything possible to pull you away from God so that he can destroy you through doubt and questioning. We would call that “going in for the kill.” His “sifting” process is never for your benefit or good. We can be grateful for the assurance of Hebrews 7:25-26, “Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them. For it was indeed fitting that we should have such a high priest, holy, innocent, unstained, separated from sinners, and exalted above the heavens.” This is why Jesus prayed for Peter’s faith to be victorious and to not fail. James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” As we grow in our faith, we must understand that even though the devil becomes less and less victorious, it doesn't mean that he is putting in less effort in trying to influence us. He will always be working passionately at sifting us. To grow in our faith, we need to make it a point to get with God daily in prayer and keep our focus on Him at all times and in every situation. We need to read and study the Word of God in order to implant it on our hearts. And we need to give thanks and praise to the Lord for all He does for us. Plus, never go at it alone! Stay connected with your Church family in fellowship, mentorship and guidance. Resist the sifting of Satan! |
AuthorPastor Charles - Archives
April 2024
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