Be perfect—report from the Mount

Jesus said plainly that the basis of our thought and experience should be perfection. “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) His command is a reminder to recognize the presence of God’s perfection in everyone. Yet it’s sometimes tempting to make decisions or judgments about someone based on personality, habits, or missteps from the past. It’s not unusual to hear people say, “Once a sinner, always a sinner.” or “The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.” While it’s principled to be discerning about our dealings with others, we’re not following Jesus’ example if we accept the notion that people are stuck with character flaws.

Jesus taught that man’s natural state is perfection. He healed even the most contemptible sinners, because he saw through the evil to God’s perfect child. Jesus didn’t tell people they needed to go through tough times in order to improve. His healings were instantaneous—without a trial period of imperfection or suffering.

So why do some people seem to struggle with character traits that aren’t so good? Whether it’s a smoking habit, shyness, procrastination, or hatred, the problem is the same. We get tangled up in this stuff when we turn away from the true state of who we are.

But regardless of how deep into trouble we may find ourselves, imperfect behavior never becomes part of our being. The Apostle Paul understood what Jesus taught—that character is renewed just by turning to God. He said, “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (II Corinthians 5:17)  Mary Baker Eddy, the discoverer of Christian Science, also understood that bad habits and character flaws are destroyed when we turn to God. She says in Science and Health, “Perfection is gained only by perfection.” (290:19-20)

The next time you find yourself basing thought on personality, character traits, or habits, apply the same laws that Jesus did. Help and heal by recognizing everyone’s Christ-like, loving, and perfect nature.

Seeing through the smoke,
Ted Gast