Luke 6:40: A pupil is not above his teacher, but everyone, after he is fully trained, will be like his teacher
Matthew 10:24-25: A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. It is enough for the disciple to become as his teacher, and the slave as his master
I believe that in Christ's act of sacrifice, he gave us also a way of living--Perfect emulation. Too often I think we are limited by our perceptions of our selves. While we strive to live perfectly as Christ did, we too often limit ourselves by thinking that it is an impossible task, but I propose that if taken deeply, contemplatively, and prayerfully, Christ is telling us in these verses that our goal is to be in paradise, connected and one with the divine on earth as well as in heaven, that our goal is to be exactly like Christ.
Any thoughts?
IMPO a believer in Christ can be perfect, but not sinless. We are perfected in Christ who is made our righteousness.
II Corinthians 5:21
"For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." (see also I Corinthians 1:30)
In the Sermon on the Mount Jesus finishes chapter 5 of Matthew with this comment:
Matthew 5:48
"Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect." But when reading
I John 1:7-10, I find it impossible to say this is sinless perfection that Jesus Christ is talking about.
But the words of Paul to the Colossians help me understand that the perfection that we as saints should have is love.
Colossians 3:14
"And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness." Charity is an old english word meaning love. Charity/Love shall cover a multitude of sins or even all sins
(I Peter 4:8; Proverbs 10:12),
How did Jesus say that all man should know us as His disciples?
John 13:34-35
34) A new commandment I give unto you that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.
35) By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.
When Jesus was asked the greatest commandment what was His answer?
Matthew 22:37-40
37) Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38) This is the first and great commandment.
39) And the second is like unto it. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40) On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
(see also Mark 12:29-31; Luke 10:27)
Romans 13:8-10--"(8)...he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. ...(10)...love is the fulfilling of the law."
James 2:8; "If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture. Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well."
Jesus even gave us an example of the greatest love of all.
John 15:13
"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man should lay down his life for his friends."
Isn't this what Christ did for us?
"But God commended His love toward us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
I John 3:16
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren."
That is awesome God the Son laid down His life for us, but how can we love like that; because we are asked to do the same for each other. Only through the power of the Spirit.
Romans 5:5
"And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us."
So I do not see anyone being without sin, except Christ, but I have meet perfect Christians, who love God and men/women so much that they glow with the light of Christ thought the Spirit and His love.
