Impossible?

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Desire Of All Nations

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Jesus certainly did not mean for us to be perfect in the absolute sense because it is impossible in this system. (Romans 5:12) He implied that imperfect people can be “perfect” in a relative sense. However, using Jesus and God Almighty as a standard, we can only strive to imitate them by expanding our love to embrace even our enemies. Luke referred to this another way. See Luke 6:36 and consider some supporting scriptures in Matthew 5:43-47.
This is an excuse, and not even a very good one. Jesus lived in the same evil world and faced the same temptations, and He did so as a flesh and blood human being. And yet, He never sinned once. Christians sin because there are areas in their lives that they haven't completely surrendered to God, not because it's supposedly impossible to stop sinning.

Jesus meant exactly what He said in Matt. 5:48 when He stated that His followers are supposed to strive towards moral perfection. Jesus didn't say it was going to be easy, but it has to be done. Nothing that was worth having ever came easy, and eternal life is no different.

Considering God is offering eternal life in His Kingdom, it is absolutely fair of Him to require that someone prove themselves worthy of it by striving towards moral perfection. God will not entrust eternal life to people who want to continue living contrary to His moral standards. Quite frankly, it's ridiculous that so many professing Christians actually think He is obliged to do it just because they believe Jesus exists.
 
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Raccoon1010

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Jesus told us we needed to repent (Matthew 4:17), that we had to be perfect like God (Matthew 5:48). Yet I keep hearing people say it’s impossible. Would God ask us to do something that is impossible? Is it impossible to obey a few commandments?
I am reminded of the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee. One who confesses they're a sinner and is more justified. So I wouldn't go thinking your perfect. Truth is only Jesus was perfect. I doubt any of us will reach perfection. But you can try.
 
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Bob Estey

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Jesus certainly did not mean for us to be perfect in the absolute sense because it is impossible in this system. (Romans 5:12) He implied that imperfect people can be “perfect” in a relative sense. However, using Jesus and God Almighty as a standard, we can only strive to imitate them by expanding our love to embrace even our enemies. Luke referred to this another way. See Luke 6:36 and consider some supporting scriptures in Matthew 5:43-47.
Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Matthew 5:48 RSV
 
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Bob Estey

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I am reminded of the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee. One who confesses they're a sinner and is more justified. So I would go thinking your perfect. Truth is only Jesus was perfect. I doubt any of us will reach perfection. But you can try.
Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 RSV). Wasn't he telling the truth?

I'm always hearing that we are all sinners. We all know that. I'm waiting for someone to explain to me why we can't stop sinning.
 

BloodBought 1953

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Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 RSV). Wasn't he telling the truth?

I'm always hearing that we are all sinners. We all know that. I'm waiting for someone to explain to me why we can't stop sinning.


Here’s why—- “ The Spirit is willing, But The Flesh is weak”
Nobody this side of Paradise is Perfect.....it’s just like nobody is truly “Righteous”.....The Bible teaches that if you will Believe the Gospel Of 1Cor15:1-4, God will IMPUTE you with the Righteousness Of His Son...go with that —- it’s the only hope you have....

I am the True “ Chief Of Sinners” ( sorry Paul) yet when God looks at me He sees me through “The
Spectacles Of Christ”——- when God sees me He “ sees” Jesus.....all because I put my Faith in the Shed Blood Of Christ...
 
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BloodBought 1953

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I am reminded of the parable of the tax collector and Pharisee. One who confesses they're a sinner and is more justified. So I would go thinking your perfect. Truth is only Jesus was perfect. I doubt any of us will reach perfection. But you can try.


That would be a Fool’s Errand if one is trying to obtain their Justification in that manner ....trying to “ reach perfection” would entail striving to keep the Law , wouldn't it ? “ By The Works Of The Law, NO FLESH will be Justified” .....Let me recommend Faith instead ....it’s not always easy, but at least it is possible.....Perfection from a Body Of Flesh is utterly impossible
 
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Heart2Soul

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The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The Parallel Passage of the Sermon on the Mount...
Luke 6 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
³⁵ But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

The meaning of perfect...
First, the word perfect (τέλειος) often has a different meaning than we commonly have in mind when we talk about perfection in theological contexts. It means mature or complete (e.g., 1 Cor 2:6, Phil 3:15, Heb 5:14). It doesn’t necessarily mean without sin.
 

BloodBought 1953

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Jesus told us we needed to repent (Matthew 4:17), that we had to be perfect like God (Matthew 5:48). Yet I keep hearing people say it’s impossible. Would God ask us to do something that is impossible? Is it impossible to obey a few commandments?


There are 613 Commandments....not just ten...James has informed us if you break just one, you have broken them all.....seems that we are in dire need of some kind of “ Loop- Hole”—— I got mine—- you got yours?
 
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BloodBought 1953

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I think the object is to obey the Lord. He showed us the path.


One “ obeys” God by doing God’s Will......and what would that be? “ Believe in the One that He sent”

Jesus never preached a “ path” or a check- list you mark off to merit Salvation........He preached HIMSELF! As in , *I* am the Way......* I* am the Truth....* I* am the Life”
 
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Raccoon1010

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Jesus said, “You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (Matthew 5:48 RSV). Wasn't he telling the truth?

I'm always hearing that we are all sinners. We all know that. I'm waiting for someone to explain to me why we can't stop sinning.
Heavenly Father is perfect and also a God who has power to create the universe. Mass has energy of mc^2. And the universe is a lot of energy. Try bench pressing 4 x 10^54 kilograms. That's what God's spirit has to do to create the known universe. He also has an unlimited IQ. How smart are humans, about 140 IQ for the smartest of us. So if you want to be like heavenly Father, you simply cannot be like him the way we are today.

So I'm not sure about being perfect. It's my understanding that is something not achievable by man without God resurrecting and perfecting us. Probably not in this life will anyone be perfect. Jesus said this about eternal life, which if you did you would have nothing left, no phone, computer or anything, you would have to beg for food, now I've been homeless with nothing and it is no good life:

Mark 10:17-23

King James Version


17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
 

BloodBought 1953

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The Pharisees and teachers of the law in Jesus's time were not obeying God. Jesus was making the point that if you were only as good as them, or slightly better, then you weren't good enough.


Anybody that thinks they are “ good enough” to go to Heaven is damned.
 

BloodBought 1953

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Jesus certainly did not mean for us to be perfect in the absolute sense because it is impossible in this system. (Romans 5:12) He implied that imperfect people can be “perfect” in a relative sense. However, using Jesus and God Almighty as a standard, we can only strive to imitate them by expanding our love to embrace even our enemies. Luke referred to this another way. See Luke 6:36 and consider some supporting scriptures in Matthew 5:43-47.


God is not interested in Spiritual “ imitation”—— He’s looking for Spiritual “ Fruition”.....that is a task that only the indwelling Spirit can perform....God wants to Transform us from the inside out....it’s that “ inside of the cup “ thing you may have heard about....
 
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Raccoon1010

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The Sermon on the Mount
Matthew 5 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
⁴⁷ And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
⁴⁸ Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The Parallel Passage of the Sermon on the Mount...
Luke 6 (KJV)
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
³⁵ But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil.
³⁶ Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.

The meaning of perfect...
First, the word perfect (τέλειος) often has a different meaning than we commonly have in mind when we talk about perfection in theological contexts. It means mature or complete (e.g., 1 Cor 2:6, Phil 3:15, Heb 5:14). It doesn’t necessarily mean without sin.
Thanks that makes more sense as God is all powerful and all intelligent. We simply are not like him to his measure. We are only made in his image.
 
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BloodBought 1953

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Considering God is offering eternal life in His Kingdom, it is absolutely fair of Him to require that someone prove themselves worthy of it by striving towards moral perfection



You, me, nor anybody else will ever be “ worthy” Of God's Heaven......We are “ MADE” Worthy by our Faith in the Blood Of The Lamb .....

Morality will make you a better person, but it won’t get you to Heaven....Hell is chock- Full Of “moral” people.....

Salvation is VERY easy.....it’s the acceptance of a “ Free Gift” ......What could be easier than that? It is human Pride that makes one feel compelled to offer up there own works to “ earn” their Salvation....God won’t have it.....
 
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Ernest T. Bass

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Jesus told us we needed to repent (Matthew 4:17), that we had to be perfect like God (Matthew 5:48). Yet I keep hearing people say it’s impossible. Would God ask us to do something that is impossible? Is it impossible to obey a few commandments?
1 John 5:3 God's commandments are not grievous. If God's commands were impossible to obey, that would make God's commands grievous and God unjust.
Therefore to be perfect is possible. Man cannot in and of himself be perfect, man can never do enough good to be perfect but man can be perfect through Christ. When one obeys the command to be baptized he is baptized into Christ (Galatians 3:27), he has then "put on Christ". Being in Christ one has then 'put on' Christ's quality of perfect righteousness. And as long as the Christian remains faithfully IN CHRIST, God continues to see the Christian who is in Christ, who is dressed in Christ's perfect righteousness, as perfect.
Therefore it is possible for one to be perfect through Christ. It does not take perfect, sinless obedience for one to be in and remain IN CHRIST but a simple faithful obedience.
 

Bob Estey

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Here’s why—- “ The Spirit is willing, But The Flesh is weak”
Nobody this side of Paradise is Perfect.....it’s just like nobody is truly “Righteous”.....The Bible teaches that if you will Believe the Gospel Of 1Cor15:1-4, God will IMPUTE you with the Righteousness Of His Son...go with that —- it’s the only hope you have....

I am the True “ Chief Of Sinners” ( sorry Paul) yet when God looks at me He sees me through “The
Spectacles Of Christ”——- when God sees me He “ sees” Jesus.....all because I put my Faith in the Shed Blood Of Christ...
"The flesh is week." Is that an excuse?
 

Bob Estey

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There are 613 Commandments....not just ten...James has informed us if you break just one, you have broken them all.....seems that we are in dire need of some kind of “ Loop- Hole”—— I got mine—- you got yours?
No, there aren't 613 commandments. There are ordinances, statutes, decrees, etc. Not everything God said was a commandment:

You know the commandments: `Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Honor your father and mother.'" Luke 18:2 RSV
 
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Bob Estey

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One “ obeys” God by doing God’s Will......and what would that be? “ Believe in the One that He sent”

Jesus never preached a “ path” or a check- list you mark off to merit Salvation........He preached HIMSELF! As in , *I* am the Way......* I* am the Truth....* I* am the Life”
There's more to it than "Believe in the One that He sent.” Do you remember the two great commandments (Matthew 22:34-40)?
 
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Bob Estey

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Heavenly Father is perfect and also a God who has power to create the universe. Mass has energy of mc^2. And the universe is a lot of energy. Try bench pressing 4 x 10^54 kilograms. That's what God's spirit has to do to create the known universe. He also has an unlimited IQ. How smart are humans, about 140 IQ for the smartest of us. So if you want to be like heavenly Father, you simply cannot be like him the way we are today.

So I'm not sure about being perfect. It's my understanding that is something not achievable by man without God resurrecting and perfecting us. Probably not in this life will anyone be perfect. Jesus said this about eternal life, which if you did you would have nothing left, no phone, computer or anything, you would have to beg for food, now I've been homeless with nothing and it is no good life:

Mark 10:17-23

King James Version


17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
You're not sure about being perfect? But isn't that what Jesus told us we must be? Is it all that difficult not to sin?