There is a difference between goals, aims, and trajectories. To understand the difference, let’s consider an archer. As an archer gathers their bow and arrows, their goal is to hit a target. When the archer aims at the target after pulling back the bowstring. Once the archer releases the arrow it flies along a trajectory toward the target. The difference between a goal, an aim, and a trajectory will help us understand our next step in The Jesus Way.
Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount is far from over. But, He did provide a conclusion for the “you heard it said” portion before moving on. “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48, NASB95)
Let’s retrace for a moment. Jesus began this section with a strong warning to His hearers. “For I tell you, unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never get into the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:20, CSB) What followed was a series of statements where Jesus pulled the Law of Moses (and how people interpreted it) back to God’s original intentions. Murder is more than killing someone; it is also being angry at or dehumanizing another. Adultery begins in the heart and imagination before the act. Divorce, vows, and even love is far different from God’s perspective. In view of all of these, Jesus says, “be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”
In Jesus’ language is a bit of necessary insight. When speaking of God’s perfection, it is the present tense and active. God is perfect. But for His hearers, it is not the present but future tense. We are not yet perfect. Duh! The application is a combination of goal, aim, and trajectory. Do we have a goal of being perfect – complete and mature? More than simply a goal, is it also our aim? Even more, is it our trajectory?
If being perfect in Christ isn’t your goal, then why not? Is your goal something else like power, success, or being liked? Let’s be clear on one thing. Our goal isn’t so much our perception of perfection but Christlikeness. Our aim must be centered on Christ to achieve the goal. “Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.” (Hebrews 12:1–2a, CSB) Notice “perfecter” in those verses?
If Christ is our aim, then we must ask about our trajectory. Are we really moving in that direction? Have we said “yes” to God? But here’s the thing, the flight is not without challenges. Arrows wobble in flight. Their trajectory may be true during the flight from bow to destination, but if watched in slow-motion, you may see that the tip of the arrow is not always directly pointed at the target. Our destination is Christlikeness; even though we may wobble a bit during the journey, we will hit that target.
Where are you in this journey of The Jesus Way towards completeness in Christ? Is that your goal? Have you aimed and set your sights on Christ? Do you daily say “yes” to Christ and do the things to move you on the trajectory towards that goal? “Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” (Matthew 5:48, NASB95)
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