Living In The Light

March 3, The Loving Family Of God

“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.”
—Matthew 5:48 LL 70.1

While we were yet unloving and unlovely in character, “hateful, and hating one another,” our heavenly Father had mercy on us. “After that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:3-5). His love received, will make us, in like manner, kind and tender, not merely toward those who please us, but to the most faulty and erring and sinful. LL 70.2

The children of God are those who are partakers of His nature. It is not earthly rank, nor birth, nor nationality, nor religious privilege, which proves that we are members of the family of God; it is love, a love that embraces all humanity. Even sinners whose hearts are not utterly closed to God’s Spirit, will respond to kindness; while they may give hate for hate, they will also give love for love. But it is only the Spirit of God that gives love for hatred. To be kind to the unthankful and to the evil, to do good hoping for nothing again, is the insignia of the royalty of heaven, the sure token by which the children of the Highest reveal their high estate: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). LL 70.3

The word “therefore” implies a conclusion, an inference from what has gone before. Jesus has been describing to His hearers the unfailing mercy and love of God, and He bids them therefore to be perfect. Because your heavenly Father “is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil” (Luke 6:35), because He has stooped to lift you up, therefore, said Jesus, you may become like Him in character, and stand without fault in the presence of humans and angels. LL 70.4

The conditions of eternal life, under grace, are just what they were in Eden— perfect righteousness, harmony with God, perfect conformity to the principles of His law. The standard of character presented in the Old Testament is the same that is presented in the New Testament. This standard is not one to which we cannot attain. In every command or injunction that God gives there is a promise, the most positive, underlying the command. God has made provision that we may become like unto Him, and He will accomplish this for all who do not interpose a perverse will and thus frustrate His grace.— Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing , pp. 75, 76. LL 70.5

Further Reflection: What does it mean to partake of God’s nature? How can you demonstrate to others today that you are a member of God’s family? LL 70.6