Exceeding Expectations (Matthew 5:47)

Matthew 5:47 asks the compelling question, "...what do you do more than the people of the world?"

This is obviously a paraphrase, to grasp the thought conveyed. The real question, within this question, is "What do you do for the people of the world, more than what the world does for their own?" [Though not intending to elaborate on this verse, the scripture cried out for attention, and so it finds it's way onto this page].

BEYOND THE ORDINARY

The Greek word is (perissos) and in this verse speaks of what goes beyond the ordinary. How do we distinguish ourselves, as children of our Father, towards others in the world? What makes us special; unique; uncommon to them? What is it that we are doing that is remarkable? What acts of kindness and demonstration of Christ are marked by an excellence, bathed in love, that compels them towards Christ?

STRIP CLUBS

Recently I watched a short You Tube video about a church who, in three or four locations, among other acts of kindness, once a month, holds banquets in strip clubs, and feeds the very "johns"; pimps and girls that frequent the establishments. This demonstration of Christ, eating with the "sinners", is reaching many of them for Christ, and radically changing their life and lifestyle.

PRISON CELLS

Friends and missionaries in Thailand had the God idea of going into the local police station and washing down the prison cells and not only that, but providing fresh baked goodies to the police that served there, as an expression of appreciation of their service. [probably something that had never happened to those public servants].

PROSTITUTES BIRTHDAY PARTY

Years ago, author and speaker Tony Campolo recounted the story of not being able to sleep and so went from his hotel, to a near by all night diner. In short order, he found that it was frequented by prostitutes, as their hang out in between "clients". Being evangelistic, he engaged them in conversation, and took it upon himself to repeat his late night vigil, during his speaking engagements in the area, to build a report with his new found acquaintances. He discovered that one of the ladies of the night had a birthday the next day, and so discreetly convinced the others to throw her a birthday party the next night to celebrate her big day. Everyone was on board, and they decorated the diner and Tony bought a cake for the unsuspecting birthday girl. When she came in late that night they all cheered and made a big fuss over her special day. She walked through the crowd, grabbed the cake and bolted from the place. To everyone's amazement, it was later discovered, that in her whole life, she had never had a birthday party, and was so overwhelmed, that she "stole" her own cake, to keep it uncut, in an attempt to preserve the moment.

EXCEPTIONAL PEOPLE

What makes us exceptional is the God that lives in us. He gives us creative ideas that go beyond the expectations of the world, building bridges of love and communication to reach the unreached. Jesus in us, feeds the undeserving; cleans out prison cells; throws parties for prostitutes; loves the unlovely, through totally unexpected and amazing ways. What totally awesome ideas has God given you to go super abundantly beyond all expectations, breaking down barriers with a love that can't be denied. If it's doing good, it's from God, and if it's from God, it will exceed all expectations and have an impact beyond all imaginations. Be the exceptional person your Father has made you to be.

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours.