Isn't being perfect like God, as mentioned in Matthew 5:48, an impossible goal for humans to achieve?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made firm demands of his disciples. We are to love our enemies, pray for thoses who persecute us and not think hateful thoughts against anyone. Theses demands go beyond the requirements of the Ten Commandments. " Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law," Jesus said, "you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" {Matthew 5:20} These people kept the law scrupulously, but something more was needed.
Jesus ended his part of his sermon by saying;" Be perfect therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. (verse 48)
Jesus' statement is emphatic. He did not tell us to grow in perfection; he told us to be perfect now. Perfection does not have degrees---either we are or we aren't perfect. We cannot attain godly perfection on our own by carefully following regulations. Instead, we must be granted this perfection by what is called justification. Justification occurs when God pronounces a believer righteous in his sight. Rather then being earned through obedience, justification is granted as a gift when Christians repent and believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
When discussing justification, the apostle Paul wrote: " If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--- but not before God. What does the Scripture say? " Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'" {Romans 4:2-3}
We are justified --- pronounced righteous by God -- through faith. After Justification, Jesus Christ lives in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are morally changed by God, liveing in us. We now want to follow his will and are enabled to do so by the Holy Spirit.
In the Sermon on the Mount, when Jesus told us to be perfect as our heavenly Father is perfect, he was emphasizing our need to rely completely on God. No one can be perfect except by justification through Jesus Christ.
Certainly, because of our human limitations, we fall short of the morality God wants us to live. Yet, if we continually repent and believe in the atoning work of Jesus Christ for us, God counts us as righteous.
MERCY is one of God's formost qualities. {Psalm 86:15}
How extensive is his mercy? A Psalmist wrote: " If error's were what you watch, O Jah, O Jehovah, who could stand? For there is the true forgiveness with you, in order that you may be feared." {Psalm 130:3,4}
Another Passage reads:" As far off as the sunrise is from the sunset, so far off from us he has put our transgressions. As a father shows mercy to his sons, Jehovah has shown mercy to thoses fearing him. For he himself well knows the formation of us, remembering that we are dust." {Psalm 103:12-14}
The apostle Peter denied Christ three times. {Mark 14:66-72}
While an unbeliever, the apostle Paul persecuted Christ's followers. When certain ones of theses were to be executed, Paul voted against them. He even approved of the murder of one of them. {Acts 8:1,3;9:1,2,11;26:10,11 Galatians 1:13}
Before becomeing Christians, certain members of the congregation in Corinth had been drunkards, extortioners, and thieves. {1 Corinthians 6:9-11}
Yet, all these came to enjoy divine favor. Why did God forgive them?
"I was shown mercy, because I was ignorant and acted with a lack of faith," wrote Paul. {1 Timothy 1:13}
His frank expression brings us to the first step required for gaining God's forgiveness--- lifting the veil of ignorance by getting an accurate knowledge of Jehovah and his standards as outlined in the Bible. {2 Timothy 3:16,17}
To be sure, we cannot please our Creator if we do not know him well. " This means everlasting life," said Jesus in prayer to his Father," their takeing in knowledge of you, the only true God, and of the one whom you sent forth, Jesus Christ." {John 17:3}
When honesthearted ones gain that knowledge, they deeply regret their past wrongs and are moved to express heartfelt repentence. That is the second step toward gaining God's forgiveness. Says Acts 3:19: " Repent, therefore, and turn around so as to get your sins blotted out."
That verse also mentions the third step-- turning around. To turn around means to abandon one's old ways and attitudes and to adopt God's standards and viewpoints. {Acts 26:20}
Simple put, a person shows by his new way of life, that he really means it when he says to God," I am sorry."
There are some people whoses sins God does not forgive. Wrote Paul: " If we practice sin willfully after haveing recieved the accurate knowledge of the truth, there is no longer any sacrifice for sins left, but there is a certain fearfull expectation of [condemnatory] judgement." {Hebrew 10:26,27}
The words "practice sin willfully" suggest deeply ingrained badness, a truely wicked heart.
Judas Iscariot developed such a heart. "It would have been finer for him if that man had not been born," said Jesus. {Matthew 26:24,25}
And concerning certain religious leaders of his day, Jesus said: "You are from your father the Devil.... When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie." {John 8:44}
Like Satan, those men were bad to the core. They were not sorry for what they had done but became even more hardened in their wicked ways.
True, because of imperfection and weakness, even genuine Christians sin, sometimes seriously. But their failings do not reflect an entrenched evil dispostion. {Galatians 6:1}
Merciful to the Last.. It is not only the sin but also the attitude of the sinner that Jehovah notes. {Isaiah 1:16-19}
Reflect for a moment to the two evildoers impaled alongside Jesus. Both had evidently commited serious crimes, for one of the men admitted: " We are recieving in full what we deserve for the things that we did; but this man {Jesus} did nothing out of the way." The evildoers words indicated he new something about Jesus. And that knowledge likely contributed to a wholesome change in his attitude.
This is indicated by what he said next, this time imploring Jesus : " Remember me when you get into your kingdom." How did Christ respond to that heartfelt entreaty? " Truely I tell you today," he said, "You will be with me in paradise." -- Luke 32:41-43..
We are not good only God is good we can only give Love as God is Love can we learn too love?
Quote
1 John 4:8 He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love.
Not that we loved Him but God loved us. But as Savior He came to save us from our fate that we have brought upon ourself. Humans left to there own resources will destroy the world. He's the only fair and just government He is our Creator their is none else besides our God.
Imperfect People We All Fall Short! God never had anyone qualified working for Him yet. Even beloved King David had human limitations and needed forgiveness sotherefore a Savior is needed. One that's mighty to save! Yeshua!
Judy Jacobs - Days of Elijah (No God Like Jehovah).mp4
-Happy New Year Lynn, and everyone! - -- AS I was about to make a post regarding "Obeying God", I see there are many topics already on this forum that emphasize that, SO I will add this here, (if you don't mind), as it is all talking about the same thing. Maybe we can keep some threads on certain topics under the same heading to save 'memory' for the forum?
-Obeying God -Read | Jeremiah 9:23-24 'Thus says the LORD, "Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things," declares the LORD.'
--Peter was a professional fisherman. He knew how to read weather conditions, where to find the best places to fish, and when to end an unproductive session. Because of his expertise, he may have silently questioned the reasonableness of Jesus’ instruction. Why let down the nets when an experienced team of fishermen hadn’t caught anything all night?
At times God asks His children to act in ways that may not seem logical. His request might involve leaving a job or ministry that He provided only recently, taking on more responsibility when life already feels overloaded, or accepting an assignment that appears better suited for someone with a different skill set. Perhaps God’s plan makes no sense in view of age, finances, or health. Yet, because of the One who asks, it will be the absolutely right thing to do. We must decide whether to do what is sensible by human standards or to obey God.
The Bible talks about many people who had to make such a choice. Abraham was asked to sacrifice his son. Noah was told to build an ark on dry land because a flood was coming. Joshua was given a military strategy of marching around Jericho instead of attacking it. Gideon, the inexperienced fighter, was told to send most of his warriors home before the battle (Judges 7:2-3).
Don’t make the mistake of allowing human logic to dictate whether you follow God’s plan. Trust in Him as Peter and those other faithful believers did. When they chose to obey what the Lord was saying, they all experienced divine power released on their behalf.--In Touch
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
Isn't being perfect like God, as mentioned in Matthew 5:48, an impossible goal for humans to achieve?
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus made firm demands of his disciples. We are to love our enemies, pray for thoses who persecute us and not think hateful thoughts against anyone. Theses demands go beyond the requirements of the Ten Commandments. " Unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees and the teachers of the law," Jesus said, "you will certainly not enter the kingdom of heaven" {Matthew 5:20}
-WHOA! You have a good Post/Title here, my friend. How on earth did I ever miss this one? Over 4 years old! See, God's Word is new every morning. "Great is His faithfulness."
-WHERE SINNERS GO -Romans 5:6-15 --- God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. --Romans 5:8 --- MY friend was having a conversation with a man who didn't have much good to say about the Christian faith. My friend knew that if he were to sound too "religious," he would jeopardize any chance to witness. So, in the middle of their discussion, he said, "Hey, Bob, do you know where sinners go?"
"That's easy," he replied. "You're going to tell me they go to hell."
"No," my friend responded. "They go to church."
Bob was speechless. That wasn't what He expected. He wasn't ready to hear from a Christian who realized he wasn't perfect. My friend had a chance to share that Christians understand their sinfulnesss and their need for continual spiritual restoration. He was able to explain grace--the unmerited favor we have with God despite our own sinfulness (Rom. 5:8-9; Eph. 2:8-9).
Perhaps we don't give those outside the church a clear picture of what's happening inside. They may not understand that we're there to praise our Savior for providing "redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins' (Col. 1:14).
Yes, sinners go to church. And sinners--forgiven ones--go to heaven because of God's grace.
We're far from perfection, yet perfect forever, For Christ is our righteousness, Lord,and our Savior; No justification for sin can we offer, Yet sanctified fully, we're now His forever. ---- -A church is a hospital for sinners, not a club for saints. --ODB/DB / "FORGIVEN!"
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
Hi Abigail, ((( Smiles ))) It is so interesting how Jesus saw the Pharisee's and the Scribes. So, was Yeshua's message more of a Karaite one? Been reading up on that as there are those who think that Jesus was a Pharisee but He described the scribes and Pharisees as poisonous snakes and hypocrites. He did not sound fond of the Pharisee's at all as He called them murderers of the prophets and more. So.... was Yeshua's message more of a Karaite one? And Glad you like the Title to this thread and yes we all have Human Limitations that can set us back and challenges but Jesus wanted it to come from our heart and see it like He does of course. The Love Of Jesus is the best part of all! Yet He is the perfect one we all strive to be like Him it can be a work in progress for us though. Jesus changed the world!
When discussing justification, the apostle Paul wrote: " If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about--- but not before God. What does the Scripture say? " Abraham believed in God, and it was credited to him as righteousness'" {Romans 4:2-3}
We are justified --- pronounced righteous by God -- through faith. After Justification, Jesus Christ lives in us through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. As Christians, we are morally changed by God, liveing in us. We now want to follow his will and are enabled to do so by the Holy Spirit.
A New Thing --Isaiah 43:15-21
"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland." (Isaiah 43:19)
Sometimes it's hard to let go of the past and move forward. We want to grasp all the good things ahead of us without releaasing what feels safe and familiar. Before long we'll find ourselves in a place of moldy manna, clinging too tightly to what we perceive brings us comfort. When we willingly move on with Jesus, we aren't losing what He has already given us. We're building on it and embracing a greater understanding of Him and His ways.
With God, Israel moved out of the bondage in Egypt through desert trials into the land of promise. They often wished they could just forgo the adventure altogether and return to slavery. How life under such oppression could seem better than the future God planned baffles us. Yet is has a familiar ring to it.
Our prospects take on a whole new dimension when we hang on to the One who knows the way, provides all we need and keeps us safe. Rather than a plunge into the frightening unknown, our journey becomes an adventure with our strong, loving Father.
-MY LORD KNOWS THE WAY THROUGH THE WILDERNESS. (Sidney E.Cox)
--Haven Today
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
Hi Abigail, ((( Smiles ))) So, was Yeshua's message more of a Karaite one? The Love Of Jesus is the best part of all!
Hello Lynn, <<<GRINS>>>
First to answer the question directly, "NO, Yeshua (JESUS),was not a Karaite Message. See below....Boy! I'll never understand how you come up with some of the things that I never even think about!? Ha! Ha! See below for the description of 'Karaite Judaism'....
And in case you get confused, JESUS IS GOD! His message is John 3:16. "For God so loved the World that He gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."I think you believe in the Trinity? Three Persons equals ONE GOD. God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. All are ONE.
Karaite Judaism From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Karaite Judaism is a kind of Judaism that accepts only the Bible as authoritative, and rejects the Mishnah and Talmud, which are explanations of the Bible by rabbis in the first few centuries of the Common Era. Karaite Jews believe that each person should be able to explain the Torah for themselves, instead of following the explanations of the rabbis.
The list of main beliefs to Karaite Judaism are called the "Tuv Taam." It is called this because those are the first two words in Hebrew of the beliefs. These beliefs are:
**There is one God who is the creator of the world. **The Torah that Moses gave to the Jews at Mount Sinai is the truth. **The Torah is perfect and there is no need for any other Rabbinic texts (like the Talmud) **There is a reward for those who follow the rules of the Torah
God is the ruler of the world and He is the only being that always has existed and always will exist.
Jehovah God gave 'the Law' straight to Moses. Moses and Priest Aaron gave the 'Law' to the people. None of the people can/could keep all those laws, So JESUS CAME TO FULFILL THE LAW. BTW: The Pharisees tried to follow the LAW given by Moses. In fact, they were rebuked by Jesus many times for being hypocrites! I hope that answers your question.Perhaps I should give you the definition of the Talmud? It is LHeb./ The collection of writings constituting the Jewish civil and religious law; it consists of two parts, the Mishnah (text) and the Gemara (commentary).
Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." [John 14:6]
Hi Abigail, (((( Smiles)))) It seems that the problem that Jesus had with the Pharisees is with their tradition's that where non biblical.
Quote
Matthew 15:3-6 But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of God by your tradition? For God commanded, saying, Honour thy father and mother: and, He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death. But ye say, Whosoever shall say to his father or his mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition
.
Jesus had problems with their doctrines as they were teaching the doctrines of God "as" the commandments of men.
Quote
making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.” Mark 7:13
Jesus said the Pharisees were filled with lawlessness because they did not keep God's law.
Quote
Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me?” John 7:19
Quote
They were hypocrites because they were lawless and went by their traditions and taught the doctrine of man.
The Karaite Jews reject the traditions and added doctrine by the Pharisees and only goes by whats in the scriptures as the authority of God alone. They are Bible based of what was written back then as there was no New Testament while Jesus/Yeshua walked the earth.
And the Pharisees were not keeping God's law in lew of their traditions Jesus pointed out to them. So was his message back then more of a Karaite one?
Quote
Abigail Posted.. The list of main beliefs to Karaite Judaism are called the "Tuv Taam." It is called this because those are the first two words in Hebrew of the beliefs. These beliefs are: **There is one God who is the creator of the world. **The Torah that Moses gave to the Jews at Mount Sinai is the truth. **The Torah is perfect and there is no need for any other Rabbinic texts (like the Talmud) **There is a reward for those who follow the rules of the Torah
I may not be perfect, but..... I'm O.K. and I'm on my way! I may not be where I want to be but by the grace of God I'm not where I use to be.
Quote
Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12
Just keep walking that path following after Jesus. He is always more then enough!
Thank God our God is a God of new Beginnings! A Father that Loves! It is possible to not approve of something someone does but still love them! We do that with out children all the time.
Only Perfect People May Apply? If only those perfect are going to Heaven when they die there would not be anyone in Heaven. Why, because there are No perfect people as only God is perfect so it's a gift.
Quote
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
Over 4 years old! See, God's Word is new every morning. 
Ha! Ha! 