Objection 27

From Sovereign Grace and the Scope of Election: A Comparative Examination of Attainment Theology and Grace Theology, with Particular Attention to the Question of Whether God's Elect Are Found Among All Nations and Religions

Matthew 5:48, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.

The "therefore" points backward: love your enemies, bless them that curse you, "that ye may be the children of your Father" who sends sun and rain on the evil and the good (5:44-45). Perfection here is completeness of love toward all, not attained sinlessness. Luke's parallel renders it exactly: "Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful" (Luke 6:36). If the verse commanded absolute perfection as a salvation condition, it would damn every reader, which is indeed what the Sermon's standard does to self-righteousness (5:20), driving all flesh to beg mercy, the Sermon's own beatitude posture: poor in spirit, mourning, hungering for a righteousness they do not have (5:3-6).