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[good samaritan]

[QUOTE=Evang.Benincasa;1489886]

Matthew 5:48 is Jesus making a statement that we are to be perfect as the father in heaven is perfect. The Greek is τέλειος,, which means to come to the end, complete, finished, full age, matured to adulthood.

If you read all of the verses before vs 48 you get the details of what God expects of us in being perfect. One thing you and I both know is that Jesus audience was already a bunch of moral failures. Perfection was already gone out the window, but through the redemption that Christ bought we could go on to being perfect.

We do a great disservice to people when we try to make excuses for the words of Jesus Christ. This is not achieved by human discipline.

I don't make excuses for the words of Jesus at least not intentionally. I sincerely don't think that what Jesus meant in mathew 5 about being perfect and what comes to mind when we think perfect are the same thing. When you and I say to someone you must be perfect to serve God they automatically think to being flawless. I blew that the first day of being born again.

We are made perfect only through Christ. I recently come across the scripture about laying up treassures in heaven. The verses go on to say if your eye be single the whole body will full of light. It took some thought, what in the world does it mean for your eye to be single. Then I stumbled across the phrase singlenss of heart which means being totally devoted to something. Single is also whole or even completely. If our eye be single is in other words our sight is totally or wholly fixed on God and His righteousness then we wil be full of light.

This is exactly the perfection that God wants us to come to. We put all our pocus on God and not on things of this world. We don't focus on faults and failures, but we keep our eyes on Jesus.

Romans 12:2 instructs us that we are to be renewed in our mind, a metamorphosis as a caterpillar transforms into something other than a worm. The writer of Romans tells us to prove, show evidence which is good, and acceptable, the perfect, will of God. In James 3:2 the writer explains that in many things we offend everyone. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, also able to restrain the entire body. the writer of 2 Corinthians 7:1 points out clearly that since we have God's promises Having therefore these promises, we are to cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of carnality and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. The writer of 1 John 3:3 says the exact same thing, but tells you who you are to be like. The writer of 1 John 3:3 tells us to purify yourself as Jesus Christ is pure. Romans 12:1-2 tells us how this is achieved by making your body a live sacrifice unto God, which is what you were bought for by Jesus Christ. To serve Him totally, completely, that we are not our own. Not being conformed to this world: but transformed by the renewing of your mind, that may show evidence what is good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. The writer of Hebrews 5:13-14 explains why this is needful, "For someone who lives on milk is still an infant and doesn't know how to do what is right. Solid food is for those who are mature, who through training have the skill to recognize the difference between right and wrong.

I don't disagree with you on any of this nor do I try to get converts ready to fail in advance. I spoke to someone today addicted to drugs. My admonition is that God will set you free. I always add that a person must desire that freedom. God is not going to steal possession of our bodies and live our lives for us though.

Yet, instead of encouraging the saint of God to go forward, we tell them that no one can get it together. That everyone is banged up, and will continue to enter the wheel of Samsara until we are reincarnated in the next life? I know, no Apostolic says that, but that is what the Hindu Guru sells his devotees. No, Jesus Christ is writing this epistle to be read of all men, He is the author and FINISHER of our faith. What He started He will complete. We do our part, and He does His part. Jesus wouldn't tell people who hand't even received the Holy Ghost baptism yet, to be as perfect as the FATHER, if He had no clue how to get them there.

Sounds like a gloomy conversion. When I came to God I was classified and alcholic by carey counseling. I had lost my license for DUI, Evading Arrest, Wreckless Driving. I had watched my young life go down the drain and was contemplating suicide. I came to church as a favor to my grandma. All Christians where hypocrites so I had no desire to be there (right). I had a chip on my shoulder bigger then I was.

Something got hold of me that day that changed my life. It changed the way I walk, talk, dress, act, etc.... 16 years later and I am preaching the gospel to others baptizing others in the name of Jesus. I am not at all teaching people that they can't do better. I was addressing Aquilla, about mistakes. I have made mistakes in the past 16 years, but that doesn't change who that I am. A child of God. As a child of God I don't go around expecting to make mistakes, but as it happens I am not going to let the enemy torment me over it I am going to repent and by the grace of God overcome.

Exactly, but show them the word that they can be mature. That they will not always be in spiritual diapers. That they can be weened from nursing and go on to strong meat. Encourage to go forward, to get up and stay up not through human discipline but through Jesus Christ transforming our minds to full maturity.

Absolutely, but you if have watched a baby begin walk. It is going to take some spills, that is all in learning. That doesn't stop them from getting up. Being wholly made up is not about never fallling it is about never loosing sight of God. This is not the same as living in disobedience.

It is not about convincing ourselves, it is about the work of the cross, the power of Jesus Christ. Our yielding to Him as a student, a servant, ready to take what He is telling us to do. Yes, God will not always strive with man, but He gave us an advocate who has defended us through His work. Now we have full access to fully put on the mind of Christ. To walk in the light as He is in the light

I assure you that I agree. My whole point in the comment about not attaining perfection was in regards to the inward struggle that we all have to face at times. We are made perfect through Christ alone, and not by our own merits. Although, people who live in willfuly sin are not in Christ and have not even begun the journey.