Who Wants to Become Perfect?
Yahushua Mashiyach demanded acts/deeds of LOVE (charity) towards YHVH's children from the Rich Young Ruler if he wanted to be perfect (Matthew 19:20-25; Mark 10: 21-26; Luke 18:22-26). But who wants to be perfect, right? Not so fast. Is not Yahushua Mashiyach perfect (Hebrews 2:10; 5:9; Matthew 5:8), the one we say we desire to model after (Ephesians 4:13; Colossians 4:12; 2 Timothy 3:17; James 1:4)? In fact, is this not perfection a requirement of disciples of Mashiyach? But do not confuse this perfection with flawlessness or the ceasing of being human. Perfection that is being talked about here is not only required but it is quite clearly defined in scripture.
So, let's get this correct, was the perfection that Mashiyach was seeking from the Rich Young Ruler the same kind of perfection Mashiyach himself had, or the kind of perfection the Apostles taught about in the epistles? Yes! Fundamentally, there was/is no difference. All teachings regarding the pursuit of perfection requires doing acts (deeds) of LOVE (charity) towards YHVH's children.
Let's start by looking at Mashiyach's ministry example. Let's see if he "practiced what he preached". Mashiyach did give alms to the poor (John 13:29); Mashiyach did feed the hungry multitudes (real physical food) on at least two recorded occasions (Matthew 14:21; 15:38). Mashiyach did heal real physical and mental maladies, body deformaties, and physical disabilities (Matthew 11:5; Luke 7:22, etc., etc.). In other words, Mashiyach met/ministered to real physical needs/issues experienced and faced by real human beings (YHVH's children) within our human reality (this-worldly). In addition to this, he also ministered to the spiritual needs (Mark 1:39; 2:2; Luke 7:22; 20:1, etc., etc.) of real human beings (YHVH's children) within our human reality (this-worldly).
Unfortunately, too many Apostolic Pentecostals, and that of other denominations, seek a religion of convenience, much like the Rich Young Ruler. Obeying the commandments was easy, but the true applied (extrapolated) meaning of the commandments was not so easy to swallow. Thus, many clergy "spiritualize" the this-world acts of LOVE that Mashiyach not only did towards YHVH's children while on earth but also "spiritualize" what he required from his followers relative to this-world applications to this-world human physical needs. This is done in order to avoid the responsibility, expense and work-load often associated with truly ministering to the whole person, the this-world physical needs of YHVH's children. You see, providing only "spiritual" food to YHVH's children is much easier, much cheaper, less demanding, and much more lucrative.
Granted, the spirtual person, the soul, has greater value (Mark 8:36) compared with the physical person, but this differential is not a justification to neglect or maltreat YHVH's children regarding their physical needs. In fact, often unmet physical needs impedes the ability of YHVH's children to acquire and gain the benefit of spirutal food. Both the physical and the spiritual go hand-in-hand and during this life are never completely separated. Mashiyach did not overlook this delicate balance (see above examples) and neither did the early church (Acts 2:44, 4:32; 6:1,3).
In fact, to overlook the physical needs of less fortunate believers is to be classified as an "anitchrist", according to John the Revelator (1 John Chapters 2-4, read the flow of the entire chapters). Furthermore, acts/deeds of LOVE clarify and bring veracity to one's claim that they "Love God". Scriptures even ask the question, 'How is it possible for one to say that they love God whom they have not seen if they do not love God's children whom they have seen?' (1 John 4:20). The question is asked because the answer is clearly obvious, it is simply not possible. And, the same writer (John), along with James, clearly defines how a believer must LOVE (act/behave) towards YHVH's children (1 John 3:14-18; James 2:13-17). Simply saying, "I love you" to a brother or sister in the church is not even close to enough.
This truth is born out even in the conversion conversations Saul had with Mashiyach. Long after Mashiyach had ascended on high, Mashiyach said to Saul from heaven, "Why persecutest thou me?" (Acts 9:4) But, how was Saul persecuting Mashiyach? Saul was killing and imprisoning YHVH's children, Mashiyach's joint-heirs (Romans 8:17). When you maltreat YHVH's children, it is the same things as maltreating Mashiyach (Matthew 25:40; 25:31-46). Conversely, when you perform charitable acts towards YHVH's children, you are favorably treating Mashiyach and neither of the two behaviors (good or bad) will ever be forgotten by YHVH, unless the bad behaviors are repented of and new/good behaviors are put in their place. For this kind of negligence (maltreatment), among other sins, YHVH judged Israel (the cultivated Olive Tree) very severly. How do we Gentiles (the Wild Olive Branch) expect to escape YHVH's judgment if we commit the same kind of sins?
So, who wants to be perfect now? I know I do, even if it is not convenient. Why? Because without this perfection of which Mashiyach spoke, there is little to no hope of entering into the eternal kingdom of YHVH (the Kingdom of Heaven). You see, it does not matter how many other "gospel related exploits" you do in YHVH's name (Matthew 7:22) if you do not favorably treat YHVH's children, then you have no real relationship with the divine, you are just an empty "sounding brass" (1 Corinthians 13:1). The proof of your relationship with the divine is how you apply LOVE-acts in everyday life towards YHVH's children.
To read more about Applied LOVE, read DOC. Volume One. This is a free e-book and can be downloaded by clicking on the DOC Volume One link above.
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