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When Jesus began His ministry to God’s chosen people, He taught of the necessity to completely fulfil the law that God had given in order to be perfect as God is. In this case, He instructed the Israelites to love their enemies as God loves sinners and not just show their love to friends and family.

Perfectness, in this sense, is completeness because every sin is a transgression or breaking of God’s perfect (sinless) word. We can understand why the law had become a curse to the Jews and indeed the world, Galatians 3:10-13 “For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.  But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.  And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.  Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:” Because no one would ever be able to fulfil this command of Christ.

The Apostle Peter doubled down on this teaching when he recounted the words of God from Leviticus 11:44-45 and applied them to the Christian era. 1 Peter 1:15-16, “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.”

How can the church possibly fulfil the command of Jesus Christ, its head? The answer is the good news of the gospel, as explained by the apostle to those of the Jewish faith who accepted Jesus. Hebrews 10:14, “For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.”

It is Christ’s sacrifice and victory that allows us to fulfil this will of God. God had provided a way to sanctify His people, but Jesus is THE way to be made pure and set apart as holy to Him. This is called sanctification and is a process of renewal and rebirth for which He sent the Holy Spirit to complete within His spiritual body. 2 Thessalonians 2:13, “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:”

This is also why we need to connect with our spiritual family to hear the truth and help each other achieve the goal. Hebrews 10:24-25, “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.”