When the kids were younger one of the things that Susie always enjoyed getting them was cookie cutters. While seldom used for cookies, these were regularly used with the PlayDoe. The kids would cut out all kinds of shapes—even some very unusual ones.
The cookie cutters of choice around our house were made of tin. While these were great for cutting the doe they often did not withstand the hands of our children. Shapes would become distorted or even recreated all together. It wouldn’t take long until our cookie cutters were no longer perfect. Somewhere out there a tinsmith must shake his head and wonder what we have done to his work of art.
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
Matthew 5:48 (NIV)
Jesus tells us straight. This is not a suggestion, but an imperative declaration—a command to be obeyed. God expects us to live a holy life just as He is holy. I like how the Message Bible puts this verse.
“In a word, what I'm saying is, Grow up. You're kingdom subjects. Now live like it. Live out your God-created identity. Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives toward you.”
We have been created in the image of God; if you will God is the 'Perfect Cookie Cutter' and we are made from His mold. Sin however has not affected the cookie cutter but the doe; God remains perfect, but His image within us has been distorted. So Jesus tells us to look at God’s design and be reformed according to His perfect pattern.
This takes a lifetime of maturity, but what is important is that we continue to live up to what we have learned. If we have finally reshaped one area of our lives to reflect His image, then let’s not let it again be distorted by sin. Instead let’s continue to reshape other areas of our lives to be like Him and live up to what we have learned.
Thankfully we don’t have to do it alone. God has filled us with His Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, to empower us to live a transformed life. With the Spirit’s help we can “Grow up” and continue to “live out [our] God-created identity;” the doe is taking the shape of the 'Perfect Cookie Cutter.'
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