I think it might be good to read Matthew 5:46-48, “For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”

For the believer, we are called to act in a way that does not necessarily reflect the way we are treated.  If we only treat others the way they treat us, we are no different than the world.  If we only love those who love us, if we only warmly welcome those who are welcoming to us…what good is that?  How does that manifest the love of God in our hearts?  It doesn’t!

And so, we are instructed to be perfect…just like our Heavenly Father is perfect.  I think we know we cannot live a perfect, sinless life while we are still in this corruptible flesh.  The point being made is that we need to grow into spiritual maturity so that we can behave appropriately.  The word here for ‘perfect’ is translated differently in Hebrews 5:14, “But strong meat belongeth to them that are of FULL AGE, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”  “Full age” or “maturity” is the sense of this verse which allows us to imitate our Father.  This perfection, or maturity, will be seen in how we treat others as we read in Matthew 5:44, “But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” 

The Apostle Paul wrote to the believers in Corinth.  His desire for them was, “…and this also we wish, even your perfection.” (2 Corinthians 13:9).  He prayed that these saints would grow into spiritual maturity…a maturity that would help end the carnality and disorder of that church, and bring glory to the Lord.

“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”  May the Lord cause us all to heed His instruction here and go on to spiritual maturity by being faithful readers and followers of His Word.  We learn in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 that, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: THAT THE MAN OF GOD MIGHT BE PERFECT, throughly furnished unto all good works.”  (CC)  (683.6)