Could you give me some insight on Matthew 5:48 where it is said "be prefect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect"?

Melissa, in the context of Matthew 5:46-48, I believe Jesus is saying to emulate the Father. The Greek word translated in this verse is "teleios", meaning more complete or mature. The one who loves without reward or greets everyone with kindness, rather than reserving their kindness for a select few, acts in a more mature way. Only God is perfect, but He has shown us the way to live and love and we are to follow the example He has given us through His Son, Jesus.

I hope this helps. God bless you!

Chelki

Thank you Chelki that really helps. I know I could never be perfect like God. I just needed some clarification about the word perfect used in this verse. The first perfect has a total diffrent meaning then then the secound.

It feels similar to the verse be ye holy (set apart) as I am holy.

Something else to consider.....

Jesus was in continual discussion and debate with the Pharisees regarding the issue of righteousness. One of the reasons the Pharisees rejected Jesus is that they did not feel they needed any "help" with reaching God. They had their system of rules which became their system of righteousness - they felt they were good enough.

But Jesus says in many different ways that the standard for God is perfection. In order to be in the presence of God we must be absolutely perfect. He follows this up in all His teaching by saying that no one can reach absolute perfection on their own, thus the need to come to God and ask for His righteousness (perfection) to be given. This righteousness is now granted through faith in Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.

Amen to that Steve.

I been preaching Heb 7: 19 for at least 3 weeks now; "For the law made nothing perfect, but the bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto God."