Must A Christain Be Perfect To Enter Into Heaven?

[El Hombre viejo]

1 John 3:2-4 (Amplified Bible)

2Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [[a]as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him [b]just as He [really] is.
3And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
4Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God's law by transgression or neglect--being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).


1 John 3:2-4 (Contemporary English Version)

2My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. 3This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ [a] is holy. 4Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law.


Oh Guess what? We can be sinless, holy We purify ourselves. We walk in the Light as He is in the Light. When we walk in the Light there isn't even any temptation to sin. Its when we step out of the Light into Satan's realm that we get tempted. Its in the darkness that the monsters live. [/QUOTE

Quite honestly, it never has been about you, it's the fear of what others on the side-line may think of your belief.

Look, I know you will probably take this wrong but, in my young, Spiritually immature self; I know now that I will never make it to your stature but, there is actually a term that is in the Bible and I think it describes you to a tee! It is called being " Double Minded". I know you will look it up and disagree but, nonetheless, Double Minded is like having one foot in the Law and one foot in Grace and you just can't do both.

Your one foot in the Law is your position on your perfection. So, for the sake of others and I know you will disagree but at least others will have an alternate view:

Unless you are simply made perfect through osmosis from Jesus and I don't see anything in the Bible that says this happens, then you will have to agree, that in order for you to have this glowing perfection, there is some function on your part, right? I don't have a clue what it is but you have some function. You battle with satin or you exercise some innate ability to recognized every single sin available to you as a stumbling block. You will probably say that these are not sin but you have some awesome skill to avoid the sins we acquired form early childhood, doubt of any kind, fear of any kind, hate of any kind, negativity of any kind, jealousy of any kind, the sin that Paul said he had, covetness and the list goes on and on.
By the way, I want to ask you a simple question about these types of sin, that I hope you will answer for others: Are you telling us that you can avoid all of these above mention sins and do it 24/7 ?

Anyway back to that one foot in the law. So, there must be some function to some degree that you must do, unless you avoidance of sin just happens for you with out any effort on your part.
Providing you do have some function or role to play to avoid all sin around you, then that is the Law my friend, the law of doing or requirements on your part. God says (paraphrasing): that the Law can make you sinless and perfect but he said you have to do them all perfectly 24/7 ; if you miss just one, one time, then you are lost to your sin! So a question: Are you saying that you never sin, not the least, itsy-bitsy, little bitty sin, ever?

Your doing this is not of grace because God said grace was a gift and if it is a gift it is free and being free you don't do anything for it and if you did, you could boast!

So, with this sin avoidance of yours, this one foot in the Law,be careful my friend, If you mess up one time, even for one millisecond, 24/7, then you are not perfect and I shudder to think what would happen then!

Are you saying that you never sin, not the least, itsy-bitsy, little bitty sin, ever?

Ahhhh Now we come to the question that you've been thinking all along. No. I'm not saying that I don't goof up. But when I do I get right quickly. So I can be clean again.

Remember the verse that we looked at that says "we are no longer slaves to sin'? That means we do not have to sin. We have a choice every single time. I, like millions of other Christians, am practicing walking in the Light, but I still make mistakes. Keep in mind...I didn't say I was God. I'm just a man.
Millions more Christians think we still have a sinful nature, so they keep in bondage to sin. and they goof up as a matter of course...
Well....now that I've stepped into your snare.....go for it. I didn't say I was done growing though.

Your turn....

 

[RJ]

1 John 3:2-4 (Amplified Bible)

2Beloved, we are [even here and] now God's children; it is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [[a]as God's children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him [b]just as He [really] is.
3And everyone who has this hope [resting] on Him cleanses (purifies) himself just as He is pure (chaste, undefiled, guiltless).
4Everyone who commits (practices) sin is guilty of lawlessness; for [that is what] sin is, lawlessness (the breaking, violating of God's law by transgression or neglect--being unrestrained and unregulated by His commands and His will).


1 John 3:2-4 (Contemporary English Version)

2My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. 3This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ [Duh!, yep, when Christ returns we will have persished and will be in our perfect heavenly bodies...THIS IS PRFECTION THEN NOT NOW...you contradict yourself!!!.COLOR]search=1%20John%203:2-4&version=CEV#fen-CEV-26993a"]a] is holy. 4Everyone who sins breaks God's law, because sin is the same as breaking God's law.


Oh Guess what? We can be sinless, holy We purify ourselves. We walk in the Light as He is in the Light. When we walk in the Light there isn't even any temptation to sin. Its when we step out of the Light into Satan's realm that we get tempted. Its in the darkness that the monsters live.

2My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. 3This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ [Duh!, yep, when Christ returns we will have persished and will be in our perfect heavenly bodies...THIS IS PRFECTION THEN NOT NOW...you contradict yourself!!!.COLOR]search=1%20John%203:2-

 

[RJ]

Are you saying that you never sin, not the least, itsy-bitsy, little bitty sin, ever?

Ahhhh Now we come to the question that you've been thinking all along. No. I'm not saying that I don't goof up. But when I do I get right quickly. So I can be clean again.

Remember the verse that we looked at that says "we are no longer slaves to sin'? That means we do not have to sin. We have a choice every single time. I, like millions of other Christians, am practicing walking in the Light, but I still make mistakes. Keep in mind...I didn't say I was God. I'm just a man.
Millions more Christians think we still have a sinful nature, so they keep in bondage to sin. and they goof up as a matter of course...
Well....now that I've stepped into your snare.....go for it. I didn't say I was done growing though.

Your turn....

Ahhhh Now we come to the question that you've been thinking all along. No. I'm not saying that I don't goof up. But when I do I get right quickly. So I can be clean again.

Whoa, whoa, whoa....is goof up the same as sin, explain! and my second question: So you get right quickly, certainly don't want that bad "Goof-up " stuff all over you for to long!!! Here's the question... what do you do if you don't see a goof-up?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

2My dear friends, we are already God's children, though what we will be hasn't yet been seen. But we do know that when Christ returns, we will be like him, because we will see him as he truly is. 3This hope makes us keep ourselves holy, just as Christ [Duh!, yep, when Christ returns we will have persished and will be in our perfect heavenly bodies...THIS IS PRFECTION THEN NOT NOW...you contradict yourself!!!.COLOR]search=1%20John%203:2-

When we see Him as He is and we are like Him. That's not a contradiction at all. How is Jesus now? He made us the righteousness of God Now... He became sin for us... He took all sickness to the cross so we can live in total health NOW.


Lets look at more of this verse RJ...

1 John 3

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1 John 3

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.





So Do you sin? Often? Are you really a Christian?



He who walks in the anointing(the Word, the Light,) does not sin because in Him is no sin.


Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

 

[RJ]

When we see Him as He is and we are like Him. That's not a contradiction at all. How is Jesus now? He made us the righteousness of God Now... He became sin for us... He took all sickness to the cross so we can live in total health NOW.


Lets look at more of this verse RJ...

1 John 3

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.



NO, no ,no... get back to my previous thread and answer my question about your little itsy-bitsy "Goof-ups"!
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.
5And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.
6Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

1 John 3

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not.
2Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
3And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
4Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.





So Do you sin? Often? Are you really a Christian?



He who walks in the anointing(the Word, the Light,) does not sin because in Him is no sin.


Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.

No, No , No, get back to my previous question about itsy-bitsy "goof-ups" of yours!

 

[RJ]

Are you saying that you never sin, not the least, itsy-bitsy, little bitty sin, ever?

Ahhhh Now we come to the question that you've been thinking all along. No. I'm not saying that I don't goof up. But when I do I get right quickly. So I can be clean again.

Remember the verse that we looked at that says "we are no longer slaves to sin'? That means we do not have to sin. We have a choice every single time. I, like millions of other Christians, am practicing walking in the Light, but I still make mistakes. Keep in mind...I didn't say I was God. I'm just a man.
Millions more Christians think we still have a sinful nature, so they keep in bondage to sin. and they goof up as a matter of course...
Well....now that I've stepped into your snare.....go for it. I didn't say I was done growing though.

Your turn....

didn't say I was done growing though.
[/COLOR]

No but you said that you were perfect, sounds grown up to me!!

Oh, OH, I get it you are perfect but your just not perfectly all grown up yet!! Seems to me, I'll have to look back, but seems to me you said something to the effect that I just need to mature more like you to be perfect!!

Have you got back to me yet with your answer to my "Your goof-ups" question yet?

 

[El Hombre viejo]

didn't say I was done growing though.
[/COLOR]

No but you said that you were perfect, sounds grown up to me!!

Oh, OH, I get it you are perfect but your just not perfectly all grown up yet!! Seems to me, I'll have to look back, but seems to me you said something to the effect that I just need to mature more like you to be perfect!!

Have you got back to me yet with your answer to my "Your goof-ups" question yet?

See? I knew you had a snappy comeback. LOL

No RJ. I said perfect means mature. Come on Son. Why do you fight about every post?

 

[RJ]

See? I knew you had a snappy comeback. LOL

No RJ. I said perfect means mature. Come on Son. Why do you fight about every post?

No you said time and time again (Father!), that you had no sin and you were perfect. With regards to talking about Jesus and the Bible here at TJ's, without sin means without sin and perfect means perfect, perfect has nothing to do with mature and you are neither!

You want to call it fight, then I have been fighting for the truth my friend!

 

[El Hombre viejo]

No you said time and time again (Father!), that you had no sin and you were perfect. With regards to talking about Jesus and the Bible here at TJ's, without sin means without sin and perfect means perfect, perfect has nothing to do with mature and you are neither!

You want to call it fight, then I have been fighting for the truth my friend!

Perfect=
1) to make perfect, complete
a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
2) to complete (perfect)
a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
b) to be found perfect
3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed
4) to accomplish
a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
1) of the prophecies of the scriptures




I think you're fighting because you can. Period. Did you have an unhappy childhood?



RJ. I'm done with this subject.

 

[RJ]

Perfect=
1) to make perfect, complete
a) to carry through completely, to accomplish, finish, bring to an end
2) to complete (perfect)
a) add what is yet wanting in order to render a thing full
b) to be found perfect
3) to bring to the end (goal) proposed
4) to accomplish
a) bring to a close or fulfilment by event
1) of the prophecies of the scriptures




I think you're fighting because you can. Period. Did you have an unhappy childhood?



RJ. I'm done with this subject.

Yep you sure are and still didn't answer my question about YOUR little Goof-ups!!!!

 

[Richie]

Hello.

I am a christain, I have been about two years now, so I am still quite a young christain. I am of pentecostal faith, and where I go to church, Our preacher has many sermons on christains needing to be perfect to go to heaven.. Usually it is said like, a christain cannot have a spot or blemish to enter into heaven, we must remain without sin, if we do sin, it must be forgiven.

I understand striving to be perfect, but do we really have to be perfect, sinnless and without blemish to go to heaven?

What does the bible say??/

Thank you all and God Bless

All throughout my Christian life, what God taught me through all the tough and easy situations that I went through is that I can never be perfect on this planet. I've had lots of up's and down's much like King David. But our Master knows our frailties and He allows us to fall to teach us something.

His grace is enough for us to go to heaven. Not our works or deeds or perfection.

 

[sunshineaaks]

Jesus died one time for all sin and for all of us. If you ritually go to God every day and seek forgiveness, the Bible says that is like asking Jesus to die on the cross all over again and much to his public shame!!!...And that ain't going to happen!

Could you tell me what verse you are referring to in this section? The verse that says if we seek forgiveness for our sin it is like asking Jesus to die on the cross over and over again?

I see a lot of verses referring to repentance of sin for forgiveness (Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, Corinthians etc) ; the acknowledgment of our sin against God but I'm not finding that one that says we don't have to repent daily and seek forgiveness because Jesus died and we are automatically forgiven without the acknowledgment of our sin.

I agreed with what you started out saying (i.e.) “No one but Jesus entered heaven perfect!” and “….it is our imperfection that separates us from God.” and “….and we continue to sin to some degree.” But then you mess it all up with the above statement so I’m thinking I must have missed something because I don’t believe you are saying, with that statement, that we don’t have to repent daily of our sin and ask forgiveness of it so that through Him we can turn from sin and be more like him.

By the way, Jesus is still enduring ‘public shame’ when mankind (yes that includes women also) takes Him out of the schools, when mankind refuses to teach the children His ways, when mankind destroys anything in the government that mentions His Father, when mankind takes His example for life out of the churches. Only when mankind repents of sin, begs forgiveness and allows Him back in His rightful place will He no longer endure ‘public shame’.

 

[Margaux]

The sum of our habits shapes our lives , the sum of our

Thank you all for helping me to understand a bit more.
So the preaching is based on the law of the Old testiment? I know that jesus was the only perfect and sinnless man, and i know that through Him my sins are forgiven. I know that we are perfect through Jesus, but do we have to stay perfect? Through jesus is the only way that we are sanctified, so when we sin, we ask for forgivness again, is that staying perfect.?

Just to make it more simple and clearer , please know that all of mankind has fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus Christ gave up His physical life so that, through His sacrifice, we could be brought into alignment with God; this is what is called "justification." We respond by yielding to the direction that He now gives to us. We are to have faith in Him and the entire process that He is bringing us through—not merely that we are forgiven for our sins, but also that we will be brought to the "measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ"). It would not be faith if we were resisting Him throughout this life by disobeying Him! It would be a contest of wills: Can God still save me even though I am rebelling? Trusting in God to bring us to a state of completion while refusing to obey Him are mutually exclusive. God simply will not allow someone into His Kingdom who will not willingly submit to living the way God requires . Therefore we need to learn from our mistakes and try to follow Christ as His voice is leading you....Listen attentively to the voice of God and the only way to tune in to the voice of God is to spend time in the word of God. Be blest.
I need to add this ....The sum of our habits shape our lives, a good habit is to spend time in the word of God.

 

[RJ]

Could you tell me what verse you are referring to in this section? The verse that says if we seek forgiveness for our sin it is like asking Jesus to die on the cross over and over again?

I see a lot of verses referring to repentance of sin for forgiveness (Mark, Luke, Acts, Romans, Corinthians etc) ; the acknowledgment of our sin against God but I'm not finding that one that says we don't have to repent daily and seek forgiveness because Jesus died and we are automatically forgiven without the acknowledgment of our sin.

I agreed with what you started out saying (i.e.) “No one but Jesus entered heaven perfect!” and “….it is our imperfection that separates us from God.” and “….and we continue to sin to some degree.” But then you mess it all up with the above statement so I’m thinking I must have missed something because I don’t believe you are saying, with that statement, that we don’t have to repent daily of our sin and ask forgiveness of it so that through Him we can turn from sin and be more like him.

By the way, Jesus is still enduring ‘public shame’ when mankind (yes that includes women also) takes Him out of the schools, when mankind refuses to teach the children His ways, when mankind destroys anything in the government that mentions His Father, when mankind takes His example for life out of the churches. Only when mankind repents of sin, begs forgiveness and allows Him back in His rightful place will He no longer endure ‘public shame’.

automatically forgiven without the acknowledgment of our sin.

I never said that!

I don’t believe you are saying, with that statement, that we don’t have to repent daily of our sin and ask forgiveness

Yes I did say that.

Look, I know that is difficult for some, but that is exactly what I said, and if you just give me a chance, I'll try to explain:

How many times did Jesus died for our sins? One.
How many times will he die again? none
If Jesus died only one time, how many our or sins did he died for? All of them, past, present and future.
What was it about the Old Covenant that God said he abolished for the New Covenant? That the Old was insufficient and that he replaced it with a more perfect one.

I am not saying that there is anything wrong with asking for forgiveness everyday, what I am saying is that it is not necessary or a requirement for your forgiveness, that is what the "finality of the cross", means. Unlike the predecessors of Jesus, the Levitical Priests, which were required to do their work, year after year, because their job of covering for man's sin was never done. As a symbol of this, there were no chairs in the temple, signifying that they could not rest from their work.
What did Jesus do after his work at the cross? He sat down for all times at the right hand of the Father. What did this signify? That his work was finished and the reason that God said he would never look at our sin again! Jesus din't just cover our sins from the eyes of God, he took away our sins from the sight of God

If a person thinks that you must ask for forgiveness daily, what do you do if you forget a day, God forbid a week or a month! What if you forget one....that's a dilemma!

Look, to satisfy the God of perfection, your forgiveness must be perfect. That is why the Old Covenant "Day Of Atonement", only covered over man's sin. To take them away, it would have to be done perfectly. That is why God said for the Old Law to save you, and it was much, much more than the original 10 Commandments, you would have to do them perfectly, all of them and 24/7. The same with daily repentance and asking for forgiveness, you have to do it perfectly 24/7, mess up one time and it is all for naught!

So,God, in his infinite wisdom created a perfect covenant and took everything out of our hands, there is nothing that we can do or we could boast about it! A scenario of having to daily ask for forgiveness can only lead to failure and keeps you stuck in the Old Covenant Law.

Yes, we should turn to him daily and strive to be more like him. Let him continually convict us and help makes us aware of our wrongs. If you feel more comfortable in asking him daily for forgiveness, I won't say that is wrong. But to do it as a requirement and predicated on your salvation, I will.

I think this is some of the truth that will set you free that Jesus told us about. We hate our sin and have a true desire to improve. It is not that we don't look at our sin, it is that God said he doesn't.

Now remember, I am talking about "Born Again" Christians and that Paul said that there is no condemnation for them because they are in Christ.

 

[rodd]

Hello.

I am a christain, I have been about two years now, so I am still quite a young christain. I am of pentecostal faith, and where I go to church, Our preacher has many sermons on christains needing to be perfect to go to heaven.. Usually it is said like, a christain cannot have a spot or blemish to enter into heaven, we must remain without sin, if we do sin, it must be forgiven.

I understand striving to be perfect, but do we really have to be perfect, sinnless and without blemish to go to heaven?

What does the bible say??/

Thank you all and God Bless

Your Pastor sounds like a Catholic priest. But even they believe in faith/works.
No, we are justified freely by the grace of God that comes by faith in the perfect atoning work of Christ.
Read the book of Galatians, its all about faith v works.
The flesh achieves nothing, its all about us understanding the gift of grace, then good works of thanks will follow.

God bless, your're right to question and weigh-up a persons teaching of biblical scripture.

 

[Boanerges]

Heb 7:22 By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
Heb 7:23 And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
Heb 7:24 But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.
Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

Our Lord makes constant intercession for us and He who began a good work in us will surely bring it to a successful completion. It is our job to keep our eyes on Him, to understand that in Christ He is our righteousness, sanctification and redemption. Our own righteousness is but a filthy rag.

Rom 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
Rom 10:4 For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.

1Jn 5:5 Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God?

1Co 1:30 But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:



It is only when we come to a place of total dependence on Him that he is most glorified.
So if I be the greatest Apostle or the youngest babe in Christ I have but one leg to stand on that that is the shed shed blood of Jesus Christ.

 

[jiggyfly]

It is only when we come to a place of total dependence on Him that he is most glorified.
So if I be the greatest Apostle or the youngest babe in Christ I have but one leg to stand on that that is the shed shed blood of Jesus Christ.

Yes this is fact and in fact Christ's work is so complete nothing else is needed.

Paul said to the believers @ Colossi that Christ's work @ the cross made us holy, righteous and faultless as far as God (the Judge) is concerned and to say otherwise would be considered perjury. Tis wise to accept Jesus as our advocate and counselor.

 

[azuredepths]

I'll try to explain this by quoting a text from Charles Spurgeon
This helped me to understand in depth the doctrine of regeneration and sanctification:

"After the Spirit like the wind, has made the dead sinner live, then comes the Spirit like fire. Now fire has a searching and tormenting power. It is purifying but it purifies by a terrible process.."
"Once let it get into our hearts and it will have no rest until it has turned every sin out. God's Holy Spirit and man's sin cannot live together peacebly"

Spurgeon of course was reffering to Luke 3:16 and Matthew 3:11-12

God Bless!

 

[RJ]

I'll try to explain this by quoting a text from Charles Spurgeon
This helped me to understand in depth the doctrine of regeneration and sanctification:

"After the Spirit like the wind, has made the dead sinner live, then comes the Spirit like fire. Now fire has a searching and tormenting power. It is purifying but it purifies by a terrible process.."
"Once let it get into our hearts and it will have no rest until it has turned every sin out. God's Holy Spirit and man's sin cannot live together peacebly"

Spurgeon of course was reffering to Luke 3:16 and Matthew 3:11-12

God Bless!

It is an on going struggle, but one well worth the promise in the end.

YES! The Spirit like the wind!!! This is what Jesus was telling Nicodemus that to see the Kingdom of God, you must be born of the Spirit,"Born Again" and without it there is no eternal life and salvation!!!

Yes Jesus came to not to abolish the law but to fulfill it. But the greatest of all mysteries is that he came down from heaven to earth, not to just get us out of hell and into heaven, but he came down to do it bt getting inside us!!!!

Thank You azuredepthes, I like your thread and will archive it for further study!!

 

[SpiritLedEd]

I understand striving to be perfect, but do we really have to be perfect, sinnless and without blemish to go to heaven?

"Perfect" is one of those words for which the definition depends on the context. In modern English language usage it means flawless or without defect. In the Biblical context your pastor is using, however, it means mature.

I suggest you get a Strong's Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible and look up the Hebrew/Greek language sources for clarification of confusing words.

SLE