1. — IMITATORS OF GOD.
CONDUCT suitable to God’s children, and not the way to become His children, is the theme of the Lord Jesus in this passage.
“Be ye followers (imitators) of God, as dear children,” is the apostle’s exhortation in Ephesians 5:11Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; (Ephesians 5:1). God sends rain and sunshine both on the wicked and on the good; imitate Him therefore in loving enemies, in doing good and in praying for those who may harm us, thus shall we be proved to be the children (lit., sons) of our Father which is in heaven.
Similarly in Romans 8:1414For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. (Romans 8:14) we read, “As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Their walk shows it, their conduct glorifies God. Compare Matthew 5:14-1614Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. 15Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. 16Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 5:14‑16): “Ye are the light of the world.... Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Such conduct would be impossible to anyone who is not a child of God; indeed, the relationship of these sons with their Father is clearly shown in the very terms that the Lord uses: “That ye may be the sons of your Father which is in heaven.” But let us not overlook the fact that the exhortation of the Lord refers, not to the birth, but to the behavior of God’s sons: “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Perfect in filial conduct, as imitators of God to-day. Do you say this is impossible? Will it be more possible to-morrow, next week, next year? Do you read the passage aright, simply as it is written? Or do you import another sense into it, such as, try to become perfect, and hope to become more perfect by degrees? The Lord says, “Be perfect,” not “become gradually perfect.” Growth indeed there should be, growth in the grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus. But growth is not the subject here, nor is there here, or elsewhere in the Scriptures, a question of attaining to any perfection half-way from here to heaven. Such an attainment would fall far short of likeness to Christ in glory, and it would add nothing to the perfect acceptance of the believer in God’s Beloved, which is the standing of every child of God. Beware, fellow-believer, of any half-way-house perfection. It is not good enough, it is not Christ.
“I want to become better, more Christ-like,” is the heartfelt cry of many a pious soul. Give up the former, the desire of becoming better, and listen to our Lord’s exhortation, “Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” In practicing this perfection day by day, you will indeed grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ; and when we see Him, we shall be like Him (1 John 3:22Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. (1 John 3:2)).
But perhaps you say again: “Does the Lord really mean what He says, Be perfect? Am I to be perfect to-day?” Yes, indeed, the Lord really does mean what He says, and He exhorts us to daily perfection in imitating God in His dealings with men. Do we fail, in this? Indeed we do. What can we do then? Confess it to God, humble ourselves to Him, learn of Him, and having restoration of soul by means of our Advocate, seek help through our great High Priest to go on in obedience to the exhortation of the Lord Jesus, “Be ye therefore perfect, as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”
Is anything less than perfection suitable to the Father? Can any lower conduct be suitable for His sons? Let us the rather praise God that He Vs called us to the privilege of such behavior.
“The privilege of such behavior,” what do you mean? someone may ask. I mean that only children can behave as children; or, to take an earthly example, only children of a king can behave in a way suitable to royalty. Great, therefore, is the privilege, in this respect also, of the members of the family of God, of those who are His children (sons) by faith in Christ Jesus.
To conclude, I will add just a word as to the Father’s name. We may notice that the Lord did not say in the Sermon on the Mount, “My Father and your Father.” (John 20:1717Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. (John 20:17)); that revelation was only made after His resurrection, but the Father is the same Father, though our relationship with Christ as His brethren was not revealed in Matthew. Compare John 17:2626And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them. (John 17:26), “I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it.” F. M. H.