Monday August 25, 2008
Category: Bible Q&ABible Q&A for August 25
There is a scripture that says "be perfect as your father in heaven is perfect." I know I am not perfect, and I don't know anyone who is perfect. Please explain this. I do try to do right, but I cannot attain to what I want to be.
You are referring to the verse in Matthew 5:48, which needs to be read in light of Matthew 5:43-47. Jesus is referring to loving others as God the Father loves us--in other words, following God's example and behavior, rather than that of others.
Jesus is probably not referring here to inward moral perfection, or even perfect execution of all the good things we intend to do. He seems to be referring to our intent and attempt to emulate God's love. Those things are attainable goals if we rely on God's grace to help us.
St. Augustine once said "give what you command, Lord, and then command whatever you will." In this case, we should pray for God to fill us with his love, and then share it with others. This is the perfection Jesus had in mind.
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Comments
To be perfect is to be forgiving and recognize that each person, no matter who they are, make mistakes and may need to be forgiven too.
Perfection comes when wisdom tells you your not going to repeat what you already know will not turn out well.
Pain, suffering, and death are the enemies of perfection. Excepting anyone of these as a permanent condition means you have given up and your enemy has won.
If the source of life (God) can defeat these enemies then what side have you taken when you choose to surrender?
Pain comes to let you know when you go beyond the limits that have been set.
Suffering occurs when long term damage has been sustained.
Death occurs when there is belligerent disreguard for the source of life.
There you go, now that you know your enemy all you have to do to defeat them is to make sure when you blow them up to get rid of them that nobody innocent is nearby, or find out what will make your enemy your friend, for life.
"Pain" repesents the law, suffering is the penalty, and death is the final analysis. All of them represent judgement.
People need purpose.
People need to see a future that moves to the perfection of good.
People need to be treated as equals.
If people don't see these things they become lawbreakers.
-DAVID
p.s. ( If a lawmaker changes or passes a law that causes law abiding citizens to suffer or die do they become lawbreakers?)
Posted by: David | August 25, 2008 10:47 AM
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