Jesus said "be ye therefore perfect..."?

Question

I was raised in a strictly legalistic church. It is therefore hard for me to confess that I am not perfect. Actually, I am quite sinful. How does this square with what Jesus commanded?
I know God forgives sin but, realistically, I don't think I'll ever become "perfect". What's the use in trying?

If that's out of context, in what context was it spoken?

Answer 1

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

In this verse, it seems that God has given us an impossible command. Perfect is defined in the dictionary as “Complete in moral excellencies.” We all know that we cannot live perfectly according to this definition. We might be able to sometimes put on an aura of perfection, making others believe that we come close, but we can never achieve a level of perfection that will compare with our Heavenly Father.

However, by looking up all the times the word perfect is used in the Bible, we can find several men who were called perfect. In Genesis 6:1, Noah is called perfect. However, even more shockingly, David—who we know was guilty of adultery and murder—is labeled as perfect twice in I Kings 11:4 and 15:30. How could a man who is guilty of such sins against God and man be called perfect?

The answer to this question can be found in many different places. However, there is one verse that stands out as an answer to this question. Deuteronomy 32:4 states, “He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” God’s work is perfect. Therefore, if we are willing to allow God to work in our lives, He will make us perfect.


Be encouraged!!

Answer 2

That IS the point. The Law is there to convict us of sin....not to be kept "every jot and tittle". You cannot "earn" salvation...the only way to "be perfect" is to be washed in the Blood of the Lamb. That's something God does...and you cannot do. That's the point.

Romans 6:3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

Answer 3

There are two very big problems with trying to be perfect or sinless. The first problem is ambivalence. We need to make sure that wanting to do the right thing does not conflict with something else we want. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways, do not let that man think that he shall receive anything of the Lord. The second problem is obsessing about symptoms instead of focusing in on the root problem. It is much like trying to cure cancer with a bandaid. Once our most basic needs are satisfied, I mean REALLY satisfied, the power of temptation loses strength and resistance is a piece of cake.

Answer 4

The first thing you did right was admit you are sinful Next comes being willing to give up those things. I come from a Wesleyan tradition which means there is something considered a second act of grace in which ,as you give up more and more of yourself to God you put Him more in charge and you intentionally sin less and less. This is the idea of perfection. You intrentionally do not sin anymore. It does noot happen immediately
but over time and by giving yourself more and more to God,.

Answer 5

I'm reminded of that little boy who, having come home from church, came down stairs while his mother was fixing lunch and asked, "Is it true that from dust we came and to dust we shall return like they told us in Sunday school?" "Why, yes, that's right Tommy," his mother answered. "Well you better come upstairs and hurry, There's someone either coming or going under my bed!" What Jesus Is, we are. Only He knew it and we have yet to find it out. He came to tell us how to become aware of our true nature. Most Christians are not interested in doing what He asked. They are content to believe He was the Son of God as if that's all there is to it. But Jesus said, "Why do you say you believe Me and then do not what I ask of you? You are liars and the Truth is not in you." That's pretty harsh and who want to hear that? 'Ouch, that hurts, I don't want to hear it. I'd have to change so much that I wouldn't even know myself anymore. Leave me be!' Namaste'

Answer 6

First "perfect" means different things to different people.

Second, In almost any sense of the word no one can possibly be that perfect during this life.

Our job is to strive to be prefect and do the best we can. If we do, then mercy provided to us by Christ will help the rest of the way. Then we can continue to learn and progress after this life. Perfection on this earth, in this Life, is impossible; But we are still to do our best.

Answer 7

In context:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

Matthew 5:43-48

Here it appears to me the perfection is a perfection of love.

How can this ever be?
"With man this is impossible, but not with God, for with God all things are possible."

"Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose."
Philippians 2:12-13

A promise from God:

"The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me: thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands."
Psalm 138:8 KJV

Answer 8

The word translated into English as "perfect" is téleios in the Greek.

Matthew 5:48 Be ye therefore perfect (téleios), even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

téleios from télos (G5056), goal, purpose. Finished, that which has reached its end, term, limit; hence, complete, full, wanting in nothing.

Jesus is giving instructions for "growing up" in how we conduct ourselves. He isn't talking about never making a mistake. He is talking about becoming mature in understanding God's will for our lives.

Matthew 5:43 Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. 44 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; 45 That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. 46 For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same? 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.

Answer 9

It is VERY easy to me to confess I am not perfect.
Why is it hard for you? You said it was hard for you to confess you are not perfect. I don't see why....You know you aren't.

He said, "Love others as you love yourself."
You said it yourself. You were borught up in a leaglistic church.

You cannot take the Bible literally every single time.

DO you love God? Do you believe in Him?
You do not have to be perfect. Just believe in God and Jesus.

He wants us to TRY ......that is all.

Try to love others....try to love yourself. Treat others the way you want to be treated.

Answer 10

God knows WE are not perfect...but Jesus is...he sees us though Jesus when we are born again.