To Be Least

While sitting in the school computer lab, the repetitious sounds of typing fingers and whispering voices are vibrating in my ears. My mind, however, is in a place of thought and contemplation. I begin to think...

What has Jesus called us to do? What are his standards for the Christian life? The writings of the Apostles show us clearly that we are to imitate Christ. But surely God does not expect perfection from us as only humans. Or does he?

Imagine that you are sitting on a mountainside, listening to Jesus teach. Glancing about, you see a crowd of people. Many of them listening intently and absorbing the truth the Jesus spoke to them.

Several minutes after Jesus started teaching, you hear something unbelievable. Did you hear him right? Did he say that we are to be perfect, therefore, as our heavenly Father is perfect? (See Matthew 5:48)

How can we do this? John talks about the fact that "if we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us." (1 Jn 1:8) So surely Jesus did not mean it when he commanded us to be perfect.

He meant every word of it. Not only does he want us to be good, he wants us to be perfect. Without sin, just as Jesus was. Even still, we are not perfect and we will fall from time to time. That is why John tells us that, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness." (1 Jn 1:9)

After striving with all our heart, soul, and mind to be perfect and failed, Jesus will forgive us. Then we will be purified from sin. Only then will we be perfect here on earth.