Perfection
Notes
Transcript
Perfect love
Perfect love
characterized not only by how you love your neighbor but how you love your enemy
who is the exemplary figure who shows us this kind of love?
32 “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
33 And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same.
34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount.
35 But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil.
36 Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.
v.46 if love is only expressed in response to love, then we are not sons of the Most High (see Luke 6:35-36)
love is defined by the one who is love 1 John 4:16
16 So we have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in him.
He uses tax collectors because they are thought of as traitors and backstabbers, selling out their neighbors and brothers for profit for the enemy. Even they love those who love them. It is not special or different from the fallen nature to be reciprocal in love.
Godly love transcends the fallen nature and confronts it.
Perfect kindness
Perfect kindness
v.47 do we only acknowledge the existence of our fellow believers?
are you not at all concerned for your fellow man?
it is disheartening and contrary to the Gospel when you do not know or bless with a greeting, your fellow man.
believers are called to show significantly greater love and kindness than what is common in the world
14 I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.
16 They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.
17 Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.
18 As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.
19 And for their sake I consecrate myself, that they also may be sanctified in truth.
20 “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word,
notice how interesting v.15 is
“of the world”
9 I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people—
10 not at all meaning the sexually immoral of this world, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world.
11 But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.
12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Is it not those inside the church whom you are to judge?
13 God judges those outside. “Purge the evil person from among you.”
Kindness towards enemies and outsiders - Rom. 12:14-21 “14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. 17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. 18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. 19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” 20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
You Must Be Perfect
You Must Be Perfect
the result of vv. 2-47
you must - required for the kingdom, to fulfill the law v.17, righteousness is fulfilling the law and exceeding the human righteousness they have seen and heard
The fact that perfection is beyond our reach, should not diminish the fervor of our desire after it.
Charles Spurgeon
“mature” (Greek)
28 Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.
12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature and fully assured in all the will of God.
15 but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
16 since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
holiness -
Holiness is the glory of every perfection in the Godhead.
Stephen Charnock
This is why you hear the angels proclaiming the perfection of God by thrice repeating Holy, Holy, Holy
8 And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and within, and day and night they never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!”
The perfection and holiness that the law of God communicates is not found in the law, it is found in Jesus, who fulfills the law. He wrote it. He is the source. This chapter calls you to look to something outside yourself and beyond the law. Therefore your only hope for the kingdom standard of perfection is Jesus.
Pursuing righteousness is following Jesus. Thats why we must learn Jesus (disciples). The lawful requirement to enter the kingdom has been fulfilled by and in Jesus. We now therefore walk in that, displaying that His righteousness and spirit has been given to us. Born again, new heart, spirit filled.