Matthew 5:48:  Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

There are numerous facets to this powerful Gem.  For the moment we will examine two.  In the conclusion of this Drawer we will examine a third.

The first facet is the word Be.  It is important to recognize the proper connotations of the word Be.  If your boss says "Be to work on time", and you come in late the next day; would you expect him to be happy?  When God tells us "Be perfect", and we sin; would you expect him to be happy?  When he says "Be morally clean", do you think he means some of the time?  Do you think he means progress towards it over time?  Or does he mean immediately, now and forevermore?

The word Be has both immediate and continual connotations.  Yet some people interpret Be as Become.  They believe that when God tells us "Be perfect", that they have all their life to try to "Become perfect".  They argue no one can Be perfect, so he must have meant "Become perfect".  But when Heavenly Father gives a command he says what he means.  And he means what he says.  When Heavenly Father commands us to "Be perfect" he expects us to be perfect immediately and continually.

The second facet is the word Perfect.  It is important to recognize the inherent qualities of the word Perfect.  If someone got a Perfect score on a test, would you expect any questions were answered wrong?  Even if it was the best score, it's not a Perfect score unless every question is answered correctly.  When God tells us "Be Perfect" would you expect it would be acceptable to break some of his commandments?  When he says "Be morally clean" is a little pornography, a little promiscuity, a little lust acceptable?  Is being less immoral than others or being as moral as you can be good enough?  Or does Heavenly Father's command demand absolute adherence without excuses?

The word Perfect has both absolute and unconditional qualities.  Yet some people interpret Perfect as Try your best.  They believe that when God tells us "Be Perfect", that they only have to "Do all they can do".  They argue no one can be Perfect so he must have meant "Be as Perfect as you can be".  But when Heavenly Father gives a command he says what he means.  And he means what he says.  When he commands us to "Be Perfect" he expects us to be perfect absolutely and unconditionally.  Heavenly Father does not grade on a curve.

Put these two facets together and you get a Gem of the utmost intensity; Heavenly Father's demand for absolute, immediate, unconditional and continuous perfection!