What Is “Perfection�

[elijah23]

Jesus said this:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

What does it mean to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect�

 

[glorydaz]

Jesus said this:

You, therefore, must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matt 5:48 RSV

What does it mean to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect�

This is speaking of our position IN CHRIST. We've become partakers of the Divine Nature.

Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

 

[elijah23]

This is speaking of our position IN CHRIST. We've become partakers of the Divine Nature.

It seems to me he is referring the “woodshed†we were just discussing on another thread. When we sin, the Lord has to discipline us, for our own good. When we don’t sin, such iscipline is unnecessary.

 

[glorydaz]

It seems to me he is referring the “woodshed†we were just discussing on another thread. When we sin, the Lord has to discipline us, for our own good. When we don’t sin, such iscipline is unnecessary.

We'll always need to get rid of self. For instance, doing good isn't sin, but the manner, methods or motives we employ may be filled with self. Sanctification is a life long process...wouldn't you agree?

 

[elijah23]

We'll always need to get rid of self. For instance, doing good isn't sin, but the manner, methods or motives we employ may be filled with self. Sanctification is a life long process...wouldn't you agree?

I would like to believe that, with the Lord’s guidance, I could get myself sanctified before this life was over, but it certainly hasn’t happened yet.

I like your point about motives. Social climbers do lots of “good deeds,†but I don’t think their hearts are really into it.

 

[glorydaz]

I would like to believe that, with the Lord’s guidance, I could get myself sanctified before this life was over, but it certainly hasn’t happened yet.

Nor will it happen until we receive our new glorified bodies.

"It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit".

I like your point about motives. Social climbers do lots of “good deeds,†but I don’t think their hearts are really into it.

Too often believers go before the Lord, striving in their flesh to please God. I call it "amateur providence" when we do a "good deed" by our own efforts instead of waiting on the leading of the Lord. Often we hinder the work He has planned in someone's life by thinking we know better. I know I used to do that alot when I was young in the Lord. Things never turned out the way I'd hoped.

"Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD".

 

[Sparkey]

What does it mean to be “perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect”?

The word "τέλειος" (teleios) means complete (lacking nothing) as opposed to μέρος (meros) -- "in part". Jesus is the Author and Finisher of our faith.