the standard of righteousness

[Randy Kluth]

God does not expect us to be perfect. But He does expect us to have a perfect standard, upon which to rely. Christ is that perfect standard, who has given us his Spirit. And if we live a life relying on that Spirit, it proves that we have accepted him as the right standard of righteousness.

The Law of Moses was given to Israel to establish a relationship with God, but could not provide a perfect standard for righteousness, because it was administered through imperfect priests. Because of their human flaws, they showed that their own works were flawed, and that human death remained a hindrance to unbroken relationship with God.

Christ came to fulfill Israel's hope in an eternal relationship with God. His own flawless life was not threatened by sin and death, and he could offer us his Spirit as the basis for obtaining this eternal relationship with God.

Now that Christ has come, we have an example of righteousness that is free of the curse of sin and death. We cannot attain perfection on our own, but we've been given the opportunity to live in dependence upon Christ's perfect Spirit to show our preference for God's perfect standard of righteousness.

In accepting Christ we accept God's basis for an eternal relationship with Himself. And it requires not just that we accept how Christ has lived, but that we recognize that he gave us his Spirit so that we may live a life dependent on his Spirit.

1 John 2.3 We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 4 Whoever says, “I know him,” but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. 5 But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him: 6 Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.

 

[Desire Of All Nations]

The Bible 100% disagrees with you when you say God doesn't expect perfection:

- "“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." - Matt. 5:48

- “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God." - Deut. 18:13

- “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;" 2 Sam. 22:26

- who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Cor. 1:8

- "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;" 2 Pet. 3:14

- "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—" - Col. 1:21-22

The belief that the Law of Moses couldn't provide a perfect standard of righteousness is obviously false since everything Christ and the other apostles taught concerning moral behavior came from the Law and agrees with the Law. They didn't make doctrines up out of thin air to fill out a book. There is a reason why Deuteronomy says there hasn't been a prophet like Moses at any point after he died.

 

[GISMYS_7]

The law was given to show man what he cannot do without God, man's righteousness is as filthy rags.

 

[Randy Kluth]

The Bible 100% disagrees with you when you say God doesn't expect perfection:

Actually, you're wrong. And you can't be any clearer than this:
1 John 1.8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us.

- "“Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect." - Matt. 5:48

- “You shall be blameless before the LORD your God." - Deut. 18:13

- “With the merciful You will show Yourself merciful; with a blameless man You will show Yourself blameless;" 2 Sam. 22:26

- who will also confirm you to the end, that you may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1 Cor. 1:8

- "Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent to be found by Him in peace, without spot and blameless;" 2 Pet. 3:14

- "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—" - Col. 1:21-22

The belief that the Law of Moses couldn't provide a perfect standard of righteousness is obviously false since everything Christ and the other apostles taught concerning moral behavior came from the Law and agrees with the Law. They didn't make doctrines up out of thin air to fill out a book. There is a reason why Deuteronomy says there hasn't been a prophet like Moses at any point after he died.

To be "blameless" is not synonymous with "sinless perfection." We can be treated with impunity, despite our flaws. The kind of "perfection" that Jesus referred to was obviously not "sinless perfection" but being completely committed to something, or being mature, since Jesus came, after all, to die for the sins of all men. Even as Christians we still have a Sin Nature, which requires that God's mercy continue to be extended to us until the resurrection.