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Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 NIV)
My freedom to roam almost all of Kingsville on my bike or walking with friends, especially after school, allowed for some wonderful experiences and treats. One of our favorite hot Kingsville summer treats was to visit the Dr. Pepper Bottling Company plant building around three p.m. The DP bottling company was a concrete building with a huge picture window where one could see the finished product of cold Dr. Peppers and cold red soda. Our hope was to be there for red day when after peering into the window longinly, one of the employees would grab enough bottles to take them to us, and already opened! Nothing beat our drinking quite quickly the cold drink and setting it down near the door and then running or riding our way on to our next adventure. This outing taught me several things. Pursue your desire. Get to the place where that desire can be best fulfilled. Be patient. Be attentive. Wait. Enjoy. Give thanks!
My biggest treat came on that Sunday when I invited Jesus into my heart. That was only the starting point of all my life's adventures. I presented myself to the Lord for His forgiveness, I received it and I started my journey of being made perfect in love in this life, also known as sanctification. Sanctification is a fancy word for the daily journey we take with Jesus in hopes of being made more perfect in love because Jesus walks with us. It does not mean I am flawless; it means I have been accepted and I am in the process of being transformed in my character and conduct. It means that every moment I spend in reading God's word, I am being blessed in wonderful and amazing ways!
One of Methodism's values is scriptural holiness. That means our time spent in study of God's word blesses us with the direction we should take towards getting to where God wants us to be. Just as those childhood trips to the Dr. Pepper plant required pursuit, patience, and attentiveness, so does our journey toward holiness. We had to show up at the right place, at the right time, with expectant hearts. We had to peer through the window, longing for what was on the other side. And when that gift was given—cold, refreshing, freely offered—we received it with joy and gratitude.
Scriptural holiness works the same way. We must pursue it intentionally. We must position ourselves where God can meet us—in His Word, in prayer, in worship, in community. We must peer into Scripture with longing hearts, waiting for God to open the treasures within. And when He does—when His truth refreshes our souls like that cold drink on a hot Texas day—we receive it, we give thanks, and we move forward transformed.
When Jesus says, "Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," He's not setting an impossible standard that crushes us under the weight of our failures. He's inviting us into a process—sanctification—where we are continually being made more like Him in love.
This is the beauty of Methodism's emphasis on scriptural holiness. It's not about being flawless; it's about being faithful. It's not about never making mistakes; it's about allowing God's Word to transform our hearts and lives day by day. It's about:
Heart transformation: Letting God's love drive out fear, bitterness, and selfishness Life transformation: Allowing Scripture to guide our choices, our words, our relationships Continual growth: Understanding that sanctification is a journey, not a destination we reach in this life Every time we open the Bible, we peer through that window into God's perfect love. Every time we apply its truth, we drink deeply of the refreshment it offers. Every time we allow it to convict, correct, and guide us, we are being made more perfect in love.
Scriptural holiness means we don't just read the Bible when we're in trouble or when we need an inspirational quote. We pursue it like those kids pursued their favorite treat—with intentionality, with expectation, with joy. We show up daily at the place where God can meet us. We position ourselves before His Word with humble, hungry hearts.
And here's the beautiful truth: God always shows up. He always opens the door. He always offers the gift. His Word never returns void. Every time we engage with Scripture, the Holy Spirit is at work, transforming us from the inside out, making us more like Jesus in our character and conduct.
This is what it means to spread scriptural holiness across the land—John Wesley's mission for Methodism. Not just head knowledge of the Bible, but heart and life transformation through the Bible. Not just studying Scripture, but being shaped by Scripture. Not just knowing what God's Word says, but becoming what God's Word calls us to be.
The journey toward perfect love started the moment you invited Jesus into your heart. But it doesn't end there—it's only beginning. Every day is a new opportunity to be made more holy, more loving, more like Christ. Every encounter with Scripture is another refreshing drink on a hot day, another step forward in your transformation.
So pursue holiness with the same eagerness you once pursued childhood treats. Position yourself daily in God's Word. Be patient with the process. Be attentive to what God is teaching you. Wait expectantly for His Spirit to work. Enjoy the journey. And always, always give thanks.
PRAYER: Gracious and Holy God, thank You for accepting me just as I am, yet loving me too much to leave me this way. As I open Your Word today and every day, transform my heart and my life. Make me more perfect in love—not flawless, but faithful; not without struggle, but always growing. Give me a hunger for Scripture that drives me to pursue You daily. Shape my character, guide my conduct, and let my life reflect Your holiness. Help me to be patient with myself on this journey, knowing that You who began this good work in me will be faithful to complete it. May scriptural holiness be more than a Methodist value—may it be my daily reality. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord! OUR CALL TO ACTION: This week, commit to reading one chapter of Scripture every morning before you check your phone. Let God's Word be the first voice you hear each day, shaping your heart and guiding your steps toward perfect love.
I love you and I thank God for you! You matter to God and you matter to me. Present yourself as holy in a way that invites others.
Pastor Eradio Valverde, Jr.
