Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
"But is it a command or more like a prediction - a prophecy?"

Seeing that Jesus said it as a summation within the following context, it seems extremely unlikely to be a prophecy.

[i]"For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
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Several "You ...[text shortened]... are you? If not, why don't you take a stab at the questions in the original post?[/b]

Does the being perfect part mean we're supposed to smite people who tick us off? We are supposed to be unforgiving for eternity after they die about something they did while they were alive? Our love for others is supposed to have a list of conditions attached? We're allowed to "test" people by being horrible to them and making things as difficult as possible for them and yet still expect their gratitude and loyalty?

Originally posted by pawnhandler
Does the being perfect part mean we're supposed to smite people who tick us off? We are supposed to be unforgiving for eternity after they die about something they did while they were alive? Our love for others is supposed to have a list of conditions attached? We're allowed to "test" people by being horrible to them and making things as difficult as possible for them and yet still expect their gratitude and loyalty?

Jesus was speaking of the standard of righteousness required for "eternal life" / "heaven" / "salvation". That standard is to become the embodiment of truth, love, compassion, justice, etc., hence "perfection (completeness)."

Are you trying to point out the difficulty of reconciling the "Old Testament" conception of God with the above? They can't be reconciled.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Jesus was speaking of the standard of righteousness required for "eternal life" / "heaven" / "salvation". That standard is to become the embodiment of truth, love, compassion, justice, etc., hence "perfection (completeness)."

Are you trying to point out the difficulty of reconciling the "Old Testament" conception of God with the above? They can't be reconciled.

so what you are saying is that gods standards change?

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
so what you are saying is that gods standards change?

Not at all. Read my post again.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Not at all. Read my post again.

no!

Originally posted by robbie carrobie
no!

As they say, ignorance is bliss.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
As they say, ignorance is bliss.

is it?

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
As they say, ignorance is bliss.

..............and the best way to stay ignorant is to avoid any debate that challenges you to think about your own position.

Originally posted by ThinkOfOne
Jesus was speaking of the standard of righteousness required for "eternal life" / "heaven" / "salvation". That standard is to become the embodiment of truth, love, compassion, justice, etc., hence "perfection (completeness)."

Are you trying to point out the difficulty of reconciling the "Old Testament" conception of God with the above? They can't be reconciled.

That standard is to become the embodiment of truth, love, compassion, justice, etc., hence "perfection (completeness)."

---------------ToO------------------

Ha e you stopped and thought about how such an embodiment might take place in an individual? Would you say that God has a role to play in helping such a person become an embodiment? I wonder what Jesus meant when he said "on that day you will know that I am in you and you are in me" ? Curious............