The Purpose of Love  © | Privacy Policy

​The Purpose of Love

​​                                                                                 Being "Perfect"

Matt 5:43-48   "You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'   "But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,   so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.  "For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same?   "If you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?   "Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.NASU

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​The word "Be" (2071 below) can be translated "will be"  indicating some time in the future they will be perfect.  The exact time in the future is not clear here. However, the following verses indicate some degree of perfection can be obtained in this life.  (See "Understanding Grace" page for more on this.)

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Phil 3:12-18  Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.  Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead,  I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.  Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you;  however, let us keep living by that same  standard to which we have attained.  Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. NASU


​1 Thess 5:23-24  May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.  The one who calls you is faithful and he will do it. NIV

Last Revision of this site was Jan 11, 2024​......by Wayne