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]