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2-12-2023

THE EYEGATE

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Spirit of Life Ministries

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RUSSELL SANDERS

2-14-2023

BE YE THEREFORE PERFECT

During his “sermon on the mount” (Matthew chapters 5-7), Jesus said in Matthew 5:48, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” What does this word “perfect” mean in the original Greek?

What it does not mean is “sinless perfection” in living your life. That is impossible. So, let us examine the original word in context with the whole passage of Matthew 5:38-48.

The Greek word for perfect is “teleious” (tel’-i-os) (Strongs 5046). It means complete, of full age in maturity, growth, moral or spiritual character.

In the preceding verses, Jesus is speaking of our attitude and treatment in a loving manner toward all people. Our Father in Heaven is perfect this way in that He loves all people and His justice is meted out fairly and His mercy is available to all. As He is perfect in it, so should we be perfect in it like he is.

So, this perfection means coming into full maturity as a child of God. We learn His word. We seek the heart of the Father. We are always learning. We love all people and treat them with equal respect (the context of Matthew 5:38-48).

Our maturity (perfection) is seen in how we love others and show compassion for them. This is essentially how we arrive at the “perfect” of Matthew 5:48.

HELEN SANDERS

2-14-2023

SAINTHOOD

Saint Valentine was a clergyman that was beheaded for helping persecuted Christians. There are many legends about him. His death occurred around the third century A.D.

One thing for sure, he was made into a saint by the Catholic Church and has been venerated for centuries. People celebrate him on February 14 with Valentine’s Day.

You might wonder what it takes to be a saint. Well, the only thing it takes is to be born again and living a separated life unto God. We do not have to be martyred or someone famous to be saints. Most all of the letters in the New Testament were addressed to the “saints,” which include you and me.

So, what is a saint? According to Strong’s Dictionary Saint is defined as holy. How do we become holy? Holiness does not come by any works that we do, but by the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. We receive this when we receive salvation. Then, we do what is right because we love God more than self and the pleasures of the world.

Religious institutions have used the word saint in identifying those that have done tremendous acts or have been martyred, like “Saint” Valentine. Many “saints” have been martyred, but that did not make them a saint.  You might not think of yourself as a saint, but you became one when you were born again and chose to life a life separated unto God.

Hebrews 12:14 says, “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”   Are you living a holy life? A holy life is a life sold out to God. It is a life that has separated itself from the ways of the world and has chosen to crucify the flesh. 

The reason so many have been martyred is that they chose the path of separation (holiness) instead of the ways of the world and have not denied Jesus as their Savior and Lord. We are facing days where our faith will be put to the test to see if we are truly sold out to God. It may be a time of martyrdom for many of us. Don’t look at it as something to fear. It is a privilege to give our lives for Jesus without any reservation.