In many modern day Christian teachings there is an emphasis on the individual to follow in the footsteps of Jesus and be perfect. If human beings are able to be perfect then they are following the Christian path correctly and are able to reach salvation. Many Christians would question where or not it is possible to be as perfect as Jesus. Is it possible to be like Jesus? Is it possible to be perfect? Follow the teachings of the Lord, do not lie, do not steal, do not cheat, do not hurt others…do not sin and you will be perfect. Sound easy enough, but if it is as easy as it sounds, then why does the question “Is it possible to be perfect?” continue to surface. That is because sin is hard to avoid, and sinning is easy. It is an apparent theme that human beings sin, and if human beings sins then they are not perfect, and if they are not perfect how are they able to reach salvation according to modern day teachings? I am going to argue that according to two ancient texts, The Gospel of Mary and the Didache, that perfection is not what really matters in following the Christian path but the effort is what really matters.
From the Gospel of Mary, we can see that a person is not defined by their sin but by their ability to overcome, an effort to stick to the words of the Lord to overcome sin. Mary states that
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Both texts show that there is not a need to be perfect, but places emphasis on the effort to be. Salvation is obtainable to those who try to follow the teachings of the Lord in both texts. There is no need for perfection in order follow in the path of Christianity. Is it possible to be like Jesus? Is it possible to be perfect? The answer is no, even the disciples had to overcome their imperfections, and that is okay because as long as a person
At the end of Jesus’ sermon he stated, “Be perfect therefore just as your heavenly father is perfect.”(Matthew 5 verse 48). When Jesus stated to be perfect, Jesus did not mean to be some type of big time over achiever or to have a perfect patty attitude. The point Jesus was trying to make was to stop comparing yourself to others. When people decide to put themselves in competition with others or compare themselves to others that will lead them to a path of false sense of righteousness. Jesus wants us to learn a lesson from his “to be perfect” statement. Jesus understands that no one is 100% perfect out here. There is also a chance where there can be an individual that is morally challenged than what you might be. In the end in God’s vision there is room for improvement in God’s perfection.
In The Pursuit of Holiness the author, Jerry Bridges, shows the Christian what it looks like to be truly holy. Holiness is to live a life of conformity to God’s will. Holiness is a joint effort between God and his people, it is not something God just gives us when we accept him into our lives. Many times Christians neglect the responsibility we have of moving towards God and pursuing holiness. Holiness is not something that is fully attainable, it is a constant pursuit to be like God. Holiness is expected by God. Not only is it expected, it is a part of our birthright as Christians. God specifically calls us to holiness, “I am the Lord your God; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy” (Leviticus 11:44a). God is perfectly holy. Therefore, to be holy is to conform to the character of God, and not to this world. Since God is perfectly holy we can have confidence that when dealing with us he is just and perfect. Bridges explains that holiness is God’s greatest attribute. Since he is holy, that makes all his other attributes good, holy, and just. God, being all of these things, cannot hold us to a standard of any less than holiness.
We are all sinners. Although one may try hard not to sin, all humans eventually succumb at some time or another to sin. While people may not able to avoid the fate which awaits them, the power of free will allows people to decide how they will respond to sin. While some may respond with guilt and regret, others may react with a sense of redemption and a renewed sense of responsibility.
Ephesians 1:4 says, “For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love” It is God’s plan and will that we be sanctified. One that can enter heaven follows the will of the father and pleases god by keeping his word. It is required as evidence of the children of God. It means to let go of the unrighteous acts to do gods will by keeping commandments. If you truly know Jesus, you will walk the way he
In todays society to be “perfect” one must follow society’s criteria. This criteria can depend on what type of perfection one is following. There are different types of perfection such as self oriented perfection, socially prescribed perfection, other oriented perfection, overt perfection, and covert perfection. These types of perfection are all different in how a person is “perfect”. Trying to be perfect can have its benefits but it causes mental health problems that make it not worth it. Rachel Rettner said, “Though perfection is an impossible goal, striving for it can be a boon for one's health, causing one to stick to exercise programs to a tee, say, or follow a strict regimen for treating chronic illnesses like type
Society contradicts itself. Perfection is a fantasy that is often compared to reality, however everyone is expected to be perfect even though it simply cannot happen. Everyone reaches a point in their life when they are no longer a child and the true pressure of society begins to weigh down on their shoulders. Some individuals can handle the pressure, however others break under the pressure. Bullying, harassing, tyrannizing, and tormenting someone can be caused by anyone. These actions are caused by people who are usually delusional and think they are superior. “Kids who bully use their power—such as physical strength, access to embarrassing information, or popularity—to control or harm others.” (Bullying Definition). Just because someone is different physically or because they have a different sexuality they would be at the risk of being bullied. For example, Tyler Clementi was publically humiliated because he was suspected of being a homosexual. Just as society and bullies has an effect on people, family does as well. There are many ways a child can grow up in an abusive or unhealthy environment caused by their parents. When someone does not feel safe in their home the scar it leaves lasts forever. Because of self-esteem issues caused by societal pressure, bullying, and dysfunctional families individuals will often commit suicide.
"...to sin is to fall short of perfect action; hence to be able to sin is to be
not something that should be taken for granted. We are all born of sin, but we have been saved through the grace of Jesus Christ. Not everyone
They have, of their own free will, acknowledge their sin, taken up a battle against it and have been cleansed by the blood of Jesus.
Only the revealed law in the Bible, not our faulty consciences, can tell us that God expects perfection, which means humans are truly sinful and cannot save themselves. Psalm 5:5 explains that “The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.” God will not condone even one incorrect thought, word, or deed. The fact that no one can live up to God’s standard is important for people to understand before they are
...also tempted in all the same areas, yet He did not sin (Heb. 4:15). Unlike Adam, however, this makes Him the example of human perfection and of what it means to be obedient to God. In the same way Christ was the perfect human, Christians will also one day bear His very image (1 Cor. 15:49).
Sin can be defined in many ways, but it creates a separation from God. There is a war that occurs inside people. That war is between one’s flesh and the Holy Spirit. Satan was the originator of sin because pride caused him to sin against God. Adam and Eve were the doors that allowed sin to enter the world. Sin causes death and without a savior, it is impossible to cleanse oneself. Once sin is conceived, it takes an atonement to wipe away one’s sin. Jesus became the atonement for all believers and He gives everyone a chance to have a relationship with God. As Christians, one must be aware of sin because it can affect a person’s destiny and cause delays with God’s blessing.
The world is Sameness seems to be a Utopia. Little did everyone in the community know that their, perfect world is imperfect. Everything seems to be organized by the people whom they call an Elders. The Elders are the leaders of the community in their society. They are the one who decides for everyone in the community. They were trying to make their world a Utopia, but no one seems to recognize that their perfect world turns out to be an imperfect world. Furthermore, no one in the community feels or has felt pain. They got rid of pain a long time ago, they do that by drinking a medicine daily every morning. The people in the community should feel pain, in order for them to value and enjoy pleasure that they receive. In fact, no one in their society has knowledge and wisdom except the receiver and the giver itself. The memories hurts and that is why, they need someone to bear all of their burdens. Equally important, no one in the public has a feelings, except the receiver of memories and the giver. The people in their communities takes a medicine every morning, to not feel love, hurt and hate for anyone. As a matter of fact, without feelings you cannot express your emotions properly.
One of the major differences we can see in both of the text is the idea of Jesus. Who he was, how he died and how he severed his purpose here on earth. The
Sin has entered humanity on a tertiary level affecting the spirit, soul and body. To understand the essence of sin, one must understand the nature of God and the composition of man. God is the Alpha and Omega: the beginning and the end. God is not flesh, but spirit; God is everywhere at all times; God is almighty, he perceives all things. The attributes of God give us an understanding of sin and how it has penetrated every living thing. God tells us that sin is a transgression to the creator’s universal order. The reality of sin is that it is not always obvious. Sin is not confined to external conduct. Sometimes it is buried within one’s heart and concealed from all, but the most discerning. The central idea of sin is failure. We sin when we fail to live up to God’s expectations and to the standards of this way of life that God