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NASB | Matthew 5:48 "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Matthew 5:48 "You, therefore, will be perfect [growing into spiritual maturity both in mind and character, actively integrating godly values into your daily life], as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Lev 19:2] |
Bible Question: Is this 'goal' or command that was stated by Jesus possible for us? In what way are we to be 'perfect'? |
Bible Answer: In the Reformed tradition, there exists what is known as the law/gospel distinction. What is considered to be law is God's demands of righteousness from us. Since God demands complete obedience (i.e. complete holiness and righteousness), it should be evident that none of us ever measure up. The gospel is what God has done to compensate for our falling short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), namely, the complete obedience of Jesus with regard to law and his substitutionary death and resurrection. The regenerating work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer in Jesus Christ enables us to begin our approach to the goal of righteousness, and even to become more righteous in practice. However, complete perfection and righteousness will only come when we are completely sanctified at the resurrection. This statement of Jesus definitely falls under the "law" category, since it demonstrates God's standard of righteousness. In the life of the Christian, it causes us to throw ourselves upon Christ as our advocate and proxy fulfiller of the law, and to rely on the Holy Spirit as our helper/sanctifier. --Joe! |