Q - Matthew 5.48
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
HOW CAN ANYONE BE PERFECT?
Isn’t this command and expectation undoable and impossible?
A –
“Perfect” here
- does not mean absolute moral sinlessness, but
- means loving people who do not love you back
Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
HOW CAN ANYONE BE PERFECT?
Isn’t this command and expectation undoable and impossible?
A –
“Perfect” here
- does not mean absolute moral sinlessness, but
- means loving people who do not love you back
The complete idea is in these verses:
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 BE PERFECT THEREFORE AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT.
Matthew 5:43-48 NIV
43 “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.
46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get?
Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47 And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48 BE PERFECT THEREFORE AS YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER IS PERFECT.
• The context / meaning of perfection here is the highest form of human love, that is, love even for enemies.
Jesus illustrates an aspect of God’s perfection: He loves all people, good and bad alike. Therefore, the “PERFECTION” that is commanded IS ABOUT LOVING PEOPLE THAT SAME WAY,
not in being sinless or morally perfect as that is impossible.
not in being sinless or morally perfect as that is impossible.
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