Like Father Like Son! (part 3 of 4)

Having been given “the right to become children of God” ( John 1:12), how much like our Heavenly Father are we becoming? He is Awesome. He is all powerful. He is all knowing. He is eternal. How can we possibly begin to share the likeness of such a One? We do it by setting aside the world’s standard for life and aiming toward viewing others with the LOVE and HOPE we have received from our Heavenly Father.

Jesus exhorted…
“(43) You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ (44) But I say to you, LOVE your enemies and PRAY for those who persecute you, (45) so THAT YOU MAY BE SONS OF YOUR FATHER WHO IS IN HEAVEN. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” ( Matthew 5:43-45)

God LOVES to bless. However, mankind is most often undeserving of even His smallest blessings. Still, God blesses with the hope that His great LOVE will be responded to. We are most like God when we treat others not as they deserve, but in accordance with what they need. Are we not thankful that is the blessing we have received from our Heavenly Father? To treat others badly only adds to the sense of hopelessness there is in this world. In the process of demonstrating our LOVE by treating others as we would like to be treated ( Luke 6:31), we may have the opportunity to draw attention to the true source of HOPE in this life.

Jesus went on to point to the ultimate aim.
“You therefore must BE PERFECT, AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT.” ( Matthew 5:48 ESV)

Wow! That’s a pretty tall order! The Greek word “teleios” means “complete” or “perfect” and points to the idea of being mature or full of age as a full grown individual. It is the aim to be kept before us. Life is to be a continuing process of maturing into being more and more like the Father. May His great LOVE transcend our lives to touch the lives of those around us.

Have a great day EXERCISING GODLY LOVE TO BRING HOPE TO OTHERS!
Carl

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