Most of us have heard the expression “nobody is perfect.” Yet Jesus gave us the command to “be perfect.” He made it even more precise by saying, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). How is this possible?
In the context of this command, we have its explanation. When we make eye contact with another person, we are to express the same warm, loving, enthusiastic greeting that we would show our best friend. This requires a cleansing of our hearts from all prejudices and judgment of outward appearances.
![](http://www.livingthejourney.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/07/dsc_2873-480x436.jpg "A \\"perfect\\" greeting communicates the love that God has for everyone")
Remember that we have only one opportunity to make a first impression on each person we meet. That first impression is made in the split second that we first make eye contact.
Many people have low self-esteem. They reject certain unchangeable features and expect others to reject them as well. They live with the hurts of past rejections and are extremely sensitive when anyone shows signs of further rejection.
If they see us looking at them with a blank stare or frown, they will just assume that we are looking down on them, judging them, and rejecting or even despising them. However, if we give them a warm, loving smile and an enthusiastic nod of greeting, they will be surprised, encouraged, refreshed, and open to anything we want to say to them.
This “perfect” greeting communicates the love that God has for everyone: “For he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).
The Greek word for greet (salute) indicates an embrace in the arms of our hearts. In order to do this consistently, we must develop hearts full of love for all people with the compassion of Christ and the desire to meet their needs.
The above was taken from the book “Anointed for Greater Works” by Bill Gothard, Ph.D., and is used with permission.
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July 16th, 2008 at 8:01 pm
This is really powerful, Bible-based, life changing stuff! I know from experience that it works, and actually isn’t that hard to do if you have the love of Christ living in you.
July 21st, 2008 at 3:10 pm
Great words of exhortation! I have been meditating on a verse in Isaiah that fits perfectly with this post.
Isaiah 50:4 “The Lord GOD hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary….”
May we take the time to truly invest into others! An others focus vs. a self focus is critical.
April 26th, 2009 at 9:47 pm
[...] care for other people. How many people have we taken an interest in today? As we give a genuinely enthusiastic greeting and ask meaningful questions, we can begin to communicate the love of [...]
July 30th, 2009 at 12:32 pm
[...] Robert’s post How to Give a Perfect Greeting for a more in-depth look at this aspect of overcoming the fear of [...]
September 10th, 2009 at 1:16 pm
How convicting… I feel so ashamed because I do tend to look on the outward appearance of people when I greet them. I remember when I went up there for journey, it was such a blessing to be greeted so enthusiasticly by you all… and most of you did’nt even know me! I will definitely try to give a perfect greeting and first impression to those I meet