Perfect

"This is how you may become children of your Father in heaven," Matthew 5:45.

Yes! I want to become a child of God! Please tell me, Jesus, how on earth do you mean for this to happen? How to look begotten of God? A child whose actions bear God's stamp? So Jesus says to me, Are you serious? If you're serious, here's how: Love your enemies. Whoa, (say I)! How on earth does this make me look like God's my father? Jesus says, Everybody loves the good guys. But God is not everybody. He's perfect. Everybody visits with family. But God is not everybody. He's perfect. God's god-ness shows in his perfect love for everybody. For the good guys, and, for the bad guys. Well, then (say I), I don't want to show love for the bad guys. Well, then (says Jesus), neither do you show yourself a child of the perfect Father in the skies.

Jesus transforms us. And, wow!, he challenges hearts big time. The kingdom of God leaves none of its citizens unchanged. When we visit today on earth with a brother or sister, we give thanks for the perfect Father in the skies who shows us how to love. Perfectly.