“Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect” (Matt. 5:48)

 

“Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect” (Matt. 5:48)

Matthew 5:44–48 — Love enemies; pray for persecutors; be perfect as the Father is perfect.

Item	Be Perfect as Your Heavenly Father is Perfect
1. Meaning	- “Perfect” means perfect in the Father’s love, expressing His life and nature. - The kingdom law reveals not outward conduct but the manifestation of the divine life within. - Perfection is not self-effort but the expression of the divine life imparted into us.
2. Reason  (Why We Can Be Perfect)	- We are children of the Father, having His life and nature (Matt. 5:45). - The divine life inherently makes us perfect (Matt. 5:48). - The kingdom constitution reveals what divine life can accomplish. - Adverse situations expose our natural man, causing us to turn to the Father and live by His life.
3. Way  (How to Become Perfect)	- Turn to the Father, not rely on self. - Remain in divine fellowship to receive constant life supply (1 John 1). - Enjoy the dispensing of the processed Triune God (2 Cor. 3:6a). - Live by the Father’s life and nature, especially when facing enemies or persecution. - Allow the divine life to operate by being subdued and turning to Him.
4. Result	- Living out the Father’s impartial love (sun & rain for all—Matt. 5:45). - Manifesting the kingdom life and kingdom living. - The natural man subdued; the divine life gains expression. - Becoming perfect as children expressing their Father.
5. Examples	- Loving enemies and praying for persecutors (Matt. 5:44). - Treating all people equally without preference. - Responding to mistreatment by relying on divine life rather than natural reactions.
6. Application	- Daily turn heart to the Lord; stay in divine fellowship. - Receive supply through prayer, the Word, calling on His name. - When adversity comes: “The Father arranged this to expose my natural life.” - Ask: “Am I living by myself or by the Father’s life?”
7. Burden	- God wants life expression, not outward imitation. - The kingdom laws show what the divine life can do. - As God’s children, we can and should be perfect as He is.
8. Prophecy Points	1. We are children with the Father’s life and nature. 2. The divine life enables us to be perfect. 3. Kingdom laws reveal divine life’s capability. 4. Perfection is life-expression, not imitation. 5. Sufferings expose our natural man. 6. Remaining in fellowship brings divine dispensing. 7. Living by the Father’s life expresses His perfect love.
9. Conclusion	- “Be perfect” is a statement of life, not a burden. - God desires the expression of His life in His children. - As we enjoy and live by Him, the Father’s perfection naturally flows out.
10. Expanded Scriptures	Matthew 5:44–48 — Love enemies; pray for persecutors; be perfect as the Father is perfect. Matthew 5:45 — The Father gives sun and rain to evil & good, just & unjust. John 1:12–13 — Born of God, possessing His life. 2 Peter 1:4 — Partakers of the divine nature. 2 Corinthians 3:6a — The Spirit gives life. John 15:4–5 — Abide in Me; without Me you can do nothing. Galatians 2:20 — Not I, but Christ lives in me.
11. Key Points  (Core Summary)	- Perfection is in the Father’s love. - Divine life within us can make us perfect. - Not imitation but life-expression. - Persecutions expose natural life and turn us to God. - The kingdom constitution reveals our capacity in divine life. - Perfection is normal for children born of the Father.

  

*Please refer to the May 2025 International Elders and Responsible Brothers Training: General Topic: Matthew Chapters 5-7 - Extremely Important Aspects - Week 6: Be Perfect, Just as Perfect as Our Heavenly Father.