In this paper I will use only one scripture from outside of the Doctrine and Covenants.
“Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.”, Matthew 5:48.
This scripture has been interpreted many ways. Some say that we should be mindful of the
original Hebrew translation meaning complete. Others hold that Christ didn’t really mean to
literally be perfect, but just to do your best. As I have learned more about the nature of the
Savior and of his Atonement, I have come to a different conclusion. I don’t believe that Jesus
means anything other than what he said. Be perfect. Thankfully, we do indeed have a merciful
and loving Savior and Heavenly Father, and they do not require perfection this very
…show more content…
The power of the atonement cleanses us, bringing us closer to
God’s presence. Too often we think that the power of the atonement stops there. This process
of forgiveness as we repent, is the justification process. We are indeed forgiven, but not
perfected. The atonement plays a central role again the rest of our journey, the sanctification
process. As we move forward in perfection, the Lord warns “entangle not yourselves in sin, but
let your hands be clean, until the Lord comes” (D&C 88:86). The request to repent is taxing, it is
not an easy thing that he asks. The command to “be clean” not just for a moment, but “until
the Lord comes” may seem overwhelming and impossible. Thankfully the atonement does not
just stop at forgiveness, but continues with enabling us to keep the Lords commandments and
eventually qualify to enter the Celestial kingdom.
Repenting and continuing to abstain from sin is, as has been shown, very important to
sanctification. These opportunities are provided for by Christ and His atonement, but keep in
mind that each and every tool that the Lord uses in His mission to perfect each of us is
dependent on the atonement. The next perfection tool that the scriptures reveal is
Spirit), the nature of man and the need for salvation, and sin and the means of atonement.
... The New Oxford Annotated Bible with Apocrypha Revised Standard Version.(1977). New York: Oxford University Press, 1977. Nyberg, Nancy.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Pastor of 1st Congregational Church of Dundee. Poole, W. Michael, D.Min., Th.D.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with pastor of Calvary Church of God. Strong, James.(1996). The New STRONG'S Complete Dictionary of Bible Words. Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers. Tierney, Michael J.(November 1997). Personal Interview and survey with Priest from Saint Margaret Mary Catholic Parish. Unger, Merrill F.(1967). Unger's Bible handbook. Chicago: Moody Press. Weizsacker, H.I(1958). The Apostolic Age. Grand Rapids: Kregel Publications. White, R.E.O.(1960). The Biblical Doctrine of Initiation: A Theology of Baptism and Evangelism. Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Company.
...tle. Which is, “THAT YE SIN NOT”? What the Scripture is saying here in verse 1 is that if by any reason you should fall into sin, because of the lack of consecration and watchfulness you do not have to remain in the state of sin. God will grant unto you by His mercy another opportunity to be redeemed through the blood of Jesus Christ, for the removing of your sins. Jesus is the advocate for those who fall in the temptation of their flesh and sin. The word advocate in the Greek parakletos, pronounced par-ak’-lay-tos, meaning an intercessor, counselor: comforter. Jesus Christ is represented as the mediator that counsels you unto strength, showing you the way back unto God. Once you have returned unto the Father, He will comfort you and keep you, only if you allow Him. The Lord will never console you in the state of your sins, for He finds no pleasure in you sinning.
Jesus began, "repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand," or is it, do penance: "for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Matthew 4:17 K.J.V.). The two words repent and penance have somewhat the same connotation in the understanding of having sorrow for ones’ sins, nevertheless the two words are at the heart of Christianity and Christendom. The Catholic Church exerts the Latin term “paenitentiam agite” to justify its position on sacramental penance. The Latin term can be variously translated into English by the word repent or do penance, though similar, but somehow un-unified as earthly is with spiritual. This concept of repentance and abhorrence of one's sins before God is a heart issue. To do penance for one's sins before God is a heart issue. The dividing factor between the two words is who can know an individual’s heart in relationship to the scripture; As Paul wrote, “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation…but the sorrow of the world worketh death” (2 Corinthians 7:10 K.J.V.). The same factor affects the relationship between Christianity and Christendom, who can discern the motives of human hearts in relationship to history. Christianity is a universal appeal to man's heart, heart of Christendom is a universal appeal for an earthly kingdom. The union of these two or schism as one wishes to perceive, is in the concept of a visible church and an invisible church.
NLT). We are not to walk away from sin we are to run! God makes it clear. Sin is not a bargaining tool that we allow certain sins to be more deadly than others are. Sin is sin.
Forgiveness and justice are very similar than we believe them to be. We believe that justice is
Good Deeds then gets called upon. They say that even though they want to go on the journey, they are unable to at the moment. They advise Everyman to speak to Knowledge. Knowledge is the one that brings Everyman on the journey to cleanse himself. They first go to Confession, which gives him a penance.
...ip with God we are still built with infirmities that are temptations for sin, and with that we are no longer perfect.
because the author is saying that you need to repent and ask for forgiveness to
The result of sin, then, would be considered a blurring of the image of God and a barrier between God and man. In addition, salvation is a process not of justification, but of reestablishing man's communion with God (Ware 155-161).
“No man knows how bad he is till he has tried very hard to be good” (Lewis, C.S., 2001). We see the futile attempts of men and women in the Old Testament who eagerly intended to be good. They aimed to abide by the law of God, but as soon as something shiny, pleasurable, and of earthly value flashed before their eyes, their obedience to God’s commands went out the window. Some did not even try. God’s people compromised their beliefs and committed spiritual adultery against Him by esteeming handmade idols. All the while, they religiously offered sacrifices, and therefore, polluted the House of God. Since the fall of Adam and Eve, our sinful nature has been beckoning us to choose evil, to embrace worldly counterfeits, and to seek a life of selfish ambition. However, Jesus steps on the scene and changes everything.
The Bible student, laymen, or pastor will find the principles presented by Fee and Stuart helpful despite the weaknesses presented. The author’s contribution on how to interpret each of the different genres is especially beneficial. The Bible Student will have more knowledge of how to interpret God’s Word when finished with the work. Fee and Stuart achieve their goal helping the reader not only with interpretation, but with application.
Samuelson, Cecil O. “What Does it Mean to Be Perfect.” Lds. The Church of Jesus Christ of
“imparts to the sinner the live of God who reconciles: "Be reconciled to God."7 He who
Forgiveness is the act of releasing an offender of any wrong or hurt they may have caused you whether they deserve it or not. It is a decision to let go of resentment or vengeance toward a person or group of people. When we choose to forgive, we’re wiping the slate clean, cancelling a debt, or as I love to say, “Letting it go.” In the Bible, the Greek word for forgiveness literally means to “let it go.” This concept, “forgiveness,” is easier said than done. Majority of people find it very difficult to let go of offenses and hurts caused by others. I really do believe that most people desire to let it go, but we lack the knowledge of how to do it. As believers, we are instructed by God maintain an attitude of forgiveness.