This is a follow up to our Christianity 101 course, so please take it first! In this course we explore how people follow through on their plans to follow Jesus. We cover the Bible, Prayer, Community, Generosity and Service. You’ll be encouraged to take steps to make each of these a part of your life, and to find a community of others who are making the same changes.
The best way to enjoy the course is if you invite a friend, who can listen to the same content as you, so you can discuss the question when you’re back in one place. When you’ve been meeting in a group for a little while, register your group here.
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In Matthew 5:48 Jesus said, Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
What's your reaction? Do you laugh? Yeah, right, I'm supposed to be perfect like God!
Or do you feel guilt? I'm so not perfect…but I should be.
Do you try to rationalize it? He doesn't really meant that?
It's not a mistake. This idea comes up elsewhere in the Bible.
i.e. Be holy as I am holy. Leviticus 11:44
Holiness is God's quality. Good, perfect, godly.
Is Jesus really asking us to be like God in some way?
If people were trying to redefine holy to get around this passage from Leviticus, Jesus makes it clear. I really mean I want you to be perfect and holy.
By our usual definitions, it seems overly idealistic.
Something for young, dreamy-eyed people.
But have you ever tried to follow all God’s laws to the letter?
The Sermon on the Mount can be discouraging if we treat it this way, and this line is the cherry on top.
We'll see tomorrow what this means.
Question: Jesus seems to expect the impossible of his followers. How do you react to this?
