With the summer Olympics in the news as they take place in Japan, I’m reminded of the high jump and pole vault events where the bar is raised higher and higher until it is finally impossible for the contestant to make it over. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus raised the spiritual bar for us beyond the limits of human effort alone. “But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48) Wow! That is a sky high bar for us to clear.
I used to get very uncomfortable when someone would say that the Ten Commandments do not apply to Christians under the new covenant. You can’t uncouple the Old Testament from the New Testament. The entire Bible is God’s word and surely God still wants us as Christians to obey those commands. I now understand that the laws and commands in the Old Testament were just beginner levels for men and women to try to clear. God knows that humans find it difficult to even clear those low standards, so He sent His Son to die in our place to give us His mercy, grace and eternal life. It is only then that His perfect Holy Spirit lives within us to give us the strength and ability to clear much higher bars than we ever could on our own, including and exceeding the Old Testament laws. He even makes that sky high bar of perfection possible.
Before setting the bar at its ultimate height of perfection, Jesus moved it slowly upward from the basic level of the Old Testament laws. It isn’t just murder that makes us subject to judgement; being angry with someone is just as bad. (Matthew 5:21-22) It isn’t just adultery that is forbidden, but looking at someone with lust in your heart is just as bad. (Matthew 5:27-28) The Old Testament says you must keep your vows. Jesus says do not make vows; anything beyond, “Yes I will” or “No I won’t” comes from the evil one. (Matthew 5:33-37) The Old Testament laws governed our physical behavior and words. The higher calling of the New Testament also governs our thoughts and the desires of our heart. With our new born spirit and the power of God’s own Holy Spirit within us, we are prepared to accept that high calling and keep clearing higher and higher bars with love and service.
I have to smile as I write this, because physically I couldn’t clear a bar if it was lying on the floor in front of me. But with the power of the Holy Spirit, I have cleared some pretty high spiritual bars that I never thought possible. I continue to strive toward perfection, but I think that bar might not be cleared until I make my final leap into the arms of my Savior.
What is your personal best so far? As you seek the perfection Jesus makes possible for you, keep raising the bar and calling on the Holy Spirit for strength to clear it.