An investment counselor went out on her own. She was shrewd and diligent, so business kept coming in, and pretty soon she realized she needed an in-house counsel, so she began interviewing young lawyers.

She started each interview saying, "In a business like this, our personal integrity must be beyond question. Are you an honest lawyer?"

"Honest?" replied one prospect. "Let me tell you something about honesty. Why, I’m so honest that my father lent me $15,000. for my education and I paid back every penny the minute I tried my very first case."

"Impressive....And what kind of case was that?" asked the investment counselor.

The lawyer squirmed in his seat and admitted, "He sued me for the money."

Sometimes we do something good because it’s the right thing to do. And sometimes we do the right thing simple because we have no choice. The difference will manifest itself in our lives at some point.

I have seen it happen many times with youth. For years they went to church with a parent or parents. Or their parents sent them to Sunday School. But as soon as they are on their own, making their own decisions, it became evident whether they attended all those years because it was the right thing to do or because they were forced to go.

Over the next several weeks and months and years, it will become evident, whether or not you viewed your confirmation as a rite of passage, much like a graduation. Or is your confirmation a personal decision to seriously pursue a deep faith relationship with God.

It has been said, "Experience is not what happens to a person, it’s what a person does with what happens to him/her." In other words, the importance of your confirmation is not found in what you did today, it will be found in what you do tomorrow. It will be found in what you do with your promises, your beliefs, and your faith.

As you presented your faith statements this morning you shared what you feel are your responsibilities as a confirmed member of Christ’s church. You said you are responsible for worship , prayer, loving God and neighbor, being loyal to God. To know them is one thing, to do them is another. I hope you will fulfill responsibities you have stated as well as those which Jesus states.

Over the past several weeks I have been preaching from the Sermon on the Mount. I, too, have been sharing what your responsibilities are. What I have shared are not my own ideas but what Jesus tells you and me. What are our responsibilities?

Jesus said:

"It is not enough to avoid killing,
we are responsible
for avoiding anger and hatred."

It is not enough to offer regular offerings to God, we are responsible for right relationships with God and each other.

It is not enough to avoid adultery, we are responsible for keeping our hearts from lust and being faithful.

It is not enough to be legally married, we are responsible for living out our marriage commitments

It is not enough to make a vow, we are responsible for fulfilling those promises which we make, to avoid casual and irresponsible commitments to God.

In this morning’s scripture lesson Jesus says, it is not enough to avoid revenge or to avoid seeking justice for yourself. We are responsible for showing mercy and love to others, even those people who we don’t like.

"You have heard that it was said,
‘You shall love your neighbor
and hate your enemy.’
But I say to you, Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you."

If you think that is a difficult responsibility, listen to what Jesus also says.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Jesus really can’t expect us to be perfect like God is perfect, can He?

Yes He can! He is not asking anything of you or me, that He himself hasn’t done.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

...as Jesus was and is perfect.

The Life Application Bible footnotes for this verse gives us a clear picture of what Jesus meant when he said,

"Be perfect."

Be perfect:

in CHARACTER. In this life we cannot be flawless, but we can aspire to be as much like Christ as possible. We can demonstrate moral perfection and sinless behavior.

in HOLINESS. Like the Pharisees, we are to separate ourselves from the world’s sinful values. Unlike the Pharisees, we are to be devoted to God’s desires rather than our own and carry His love and mercy to the world.

in MATURITY. We can’t achieve Christ-like character and holy living all at once, but must grow toward holiness. Just as we expect different behavior from a baby, a child, a teenager, an adult, so God expects different behavior from us depending on our stage of spiritual development.

in LOVE. We can seek to love others as completely as God loves us.

We can be perfect in our behavior if our behavior is appropriate for our maturity level. Perfect, yet with much room to grow.

Our tendency to sin must never deter us from striving to be more like Christ. Christ calls all his disciples to excel, to rise above mediocrity and to mature in every area becoming like him. Being a Christian is a process. It is not a goal, but a journey of becoming more like Christ.

Jesus challenges you and me, to be responsible, to begin or continue on your journey to perfection.

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Amen

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