'Perfect' and 'Genuine'

~~~ 2 Corinthians 8:1-9 ~~~ Psalm 146 ~~~ Matthew 5:43-48 ~~~

 ...to test the genuineness of your love

by your concern for others.

Years ago C.S. Lewis wrote,

"We must lay before Him what is in us, 

not what ought to be in us.” 

Once we face who we really are inside we become

a genuine person.

For some they are only genuine

 when they are standing alone at their sink.

The early Christians expressed who they really were 

through their concern for others.

Too often we are influenced by the people around us.

Living a genuine life is being who you are

especially when faced with a crisis.

Some people are very skilled at keeping

 their true self hidden inside.

Too often we become concerned

 about what others think about us.

When this happens there is the chance

 that we may sacrifice our true self. 

So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.

Jesus did not expect us to be 'perfect' in the way we might think.

Of course we could never be as perfect

 as our heavenly Father,

for he is God.

When we are living in a genuine manner

we are approaching being a whole person.

The person we let people see and the person we privately are

 must be the same if we strive to be whole...to be perfect.

Jesus is perfect because

 he was genuine in all situations.

Jesus never pretends to be anyone 

other than who he is, God.

Those who followed Jesus most closely

 were also the ones who were most genuine.

The genuineness of Jesus was a true inspiration

 for the disciples to be just as genuine.

It may be a good time for us to inspect our own

ability to be genuine, not just when it is safe

but in all circumstances.

What keeps you from being more genuine?

To be 'perfect' and 'genuine' 

requires us to love our neighbor.

This is made possible through

the blessings of grace from God.

~~~Peace~~~