“Be you holy for I am holy” (Leviticus 19:2). Join this to what Jesus said, “Be perfect as your Father in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48), and you will get an understanding of how holiness is joined to love. This section of Matthew is about how the Father loves unconditionally (5:43-48). We usually think of “be holy” and “be perfect” as a stern command springing from the absolute authority of God. Think of it another way; think of it as a beautiful invitation. It is in invitation to partake of the love and holiness of God; He is bidding us to become “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). It is a summons to come out of our self and to enter His self; yes, even to allow His Self, His own Spirit, to come and dwell in us. It is this that enables the invitation. We cannot do this, be this, or become this without divine ability; but remember, “faithful is He who calls you who will also bring it to pass” (1 Thessalonians 5:23-24).
