As believers, we must always strive for perfection. Nothing we do should be done
half-heartedly. To be clear, we are not perfect, but we seek to do God’s will in ways that give glory and honor to God. We are always striving to do our best, always seeking to please God.  This matter of giving God our best is crucial to our relationship with Him.  I would argue strongly that some of us are not satisfied with our lives because we have not given God our best. In Matthew 5:48,we find these words:

But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.

Jesus is teaching about love for one’s enemies. He speaks about the need to forgive, and to pray for those who persecute us.  Jesus set the example for His believers to follow. In verse 47, He said, “If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that.”  We are to be different from others, by loving even those who do not love us, and being kind to everyone. This is what it means to strive for perfection — to give God our best. When you get a chance, read this entire chapter. The Master set the mark at high standard. Prayerfully, we are all striving to meet that mark of perfection!