Expectations

by Joey Davis

I'm already guilty of one of the worst pitfalls in the parenting trap. . . the old double-standard. I'm not sure that I'm wrong in doing this, but I have different expectations of Olivia than I have of Sawyer.

Maybe it's their age. Maybe it's because Olivia is a girl and Sawyer a boy. It could be a mixture of both, but truth is, my expectations are quite different. I expect Olivia to clean her room and try to be neat. I will accept Sawyer's messiness. However, the one thing of which I'm not guilty is the expectation of "perfection. "

I've often wondered if our Heavenly Rather has different expectations of some of us than others. I know that teachers are under a stricter judgement ( James 3:1). We're taught that He will not allow us to be tempted more than we can bear ( 1 Corinthians 10:13), noting that He recognizes our "differences and "uniqueness. And the list goes on, so obviously He recognizes our individuality and treats us accordingly. So then, why does Jesus make this statement in Matthew 5:48 "you, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect?" If our Father recognizes our uniqueness and treats us accordingly, why does Jesus challenge us to be perfect?

The context of this scripture gives great insight into the meaning of this statement. Jesus is challenging the disciples to be servants to those who hate them. They were being taught to love their neighbor as themselves and love their enemies. After this teaching, Jesus then makes His command for perfection.

The insight in this scripture is that although, as God's children, we are unique, there are some expectations that are uncompromising and unbending. They are universal commands directed from the throne of God. You may not be a teacher, evangelist, elder, deacon, etc. However, you must -love your neighbor and do good to those who despitefully use you. That is the mark of discipleship that sets us apart from the world. The exact Aramaic translation of Jesus' words in this case is a difficult one at best. But His meaning is quite clear. . . "you must be perfect (that is, all embracing and without restrictions) in your acts of mercy or kindness, for that is what God is like."

Olivia is still expected to do things that Sawyer is not. But both are expected to brush their teeth. That is universal. Some of God's expectations of me are different than His of you. But there are some expectations that are universal and unbending; by which we shall all be judged.