Catholics are not saved by Works

[Church_Militant]

Odd that the recorded messages of the Gospel preached by the apostles in the New Testament in places like Acts 2:38 and 22:16 never seem to weigh into the discussions of those who so strenuously oppose the place of any works required for salvation.

Not that they are not still operations of God’s grace in the person in question, but that they are there in the message at all.

 

[Odell]

Well, ISTM that all you’re saying is that some types of human works are REQUIRED for salvation, while other types are not. But the hard part (for the RC position) is to show some Scriptural basis for this notion.

Either our good works (of some type) are REQUIRED for our salvation or they aren’t. So, if Paul, Jesus, or James really DO teach that our good works (of some type) are REQUIRED for salvation then you obviously ought to be able to point to some Scripture that teaches this.

(Mt 19: 16-17) “Now someone approached him and said, teacher what good must I do to gain eternal life? If you wish to enter life keep the commandments.” Notice Jesus did not say just accept me as your personal Lord and savior and that’s it. No, Jesus said to enter eternal life you must do something, keep the commandments.

(Gal 5:6) **“Only faith working through love counts for anything.” **That is how we put faith in action, WORKING through love. Faith has to work to count for anything; it cannot be by itself.

hopefully the larger font will help you. If not I seriously suggest getting some glasses.

 

[LSK]

If the faith that is given as a free gift by which we are credited as righteous… isn’t sufficient for our salvation, then what else is needed to be saved?

Baptism by water and spirit for one thing.

Also, we must eat His Flesh and drink His Blood or we will not have eternal life.

Having faith, a gift from God, is not sufficient to insure salvation.

 

[ryanoneil]

UNTIL ONE REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WORKS OF THE LAW”(ergon nomou) AND “WORKS”(ergois agathois) THEY WILL ALWAYS BE CONFUSED.

Rom 3:28 *For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from “works of the law” *(ergon nomou).

James 2:24 See how a person is justified by "works" (ergois agathois) and not by faith alone.

Paul’s “works of the law” and James’ “works” are entirely different types of works.“works of the law” refer to the law of Moses or to any legal system that obliges God to give us payment… They do not refer to good “works” done in grace with faith in Christ. (e.g.,clothing the naked; giving food to the poor)

Peace,

Ryan

 

[ryanoneil]

The same is true here. Scripture teaches that we achieve salvific justification by faith and works, and not faith alone (James 2:24). The works of Eph 2:8-9 refer to works of the Mosaic law or any works where we view God in a contractual way (He owes us), not a covenantal way (He does not owe us but will reward us as our Father). Eph. 2:8-9 do not refer to good works done in the grace of Christ. This is the whole paradigm of Paul’s teaching on justification - grace versus law. Works done in a system of law, where we view God as a debtor to us, do not justify us. Works done in a system of grace, when we view God as Father who owes us nothing, do justify us.

Peace,

Ryan

 

[Nick_Jones]

(Mt 19: 16-17) “Now someone approached him and said, teacher what good must I do to gain eternal life? If you wish to enter life keep the commandments.” Notice Jesus did not say just accept me as your personal Lord and savior and that’s it. No, Jesus said to enter eternal life you must do something, keep the commandments.

(Gal 5:6) **“Only faith working through love counts for anything.” **That is how we put faith in action, WORKING through love. Faith has to work to count for anything; it cannot be by itself.

hopefully the larger font will help you. If not I seriously suggest getting some glasses.

You are mistaken. In Matt. 19, Jesus is making the opposite point–that no one keeps the commandments…if keeping the commandments includes having no gods besides God. Let’s read the passage in context:

Matt.19:16-26
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Likewise, in Gal.5:1-10 (in context) Paul is teaching the antithesis of your man-centered RC teaching that places an impossible burden (a yoke of slavery) on those who wish to follow Jesus by faith rather than by their works:

Gal. 5:1-10
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

 

[Nick_Jones]

The same is true here. Scripture teaches that we achieve salvific justification by faith and works, and not faith alone (James 2:24). The works of Eph 2:8-9 refer to works of the Mosaic law or any works where we view God in a contractual way (He owes us), not a covenantal way (He does not owe us but will reward us as our Father). Eph. 2:8-9 do not refer to good works done in the grace of Christ. This is the whole paradigm of Paul’s teaching on justification - grace versus law. Works done in a system of law, where we view God as a debtor to us, do not justify us. Works done in a system of grace, when we view God as Father who owes us nothing, do justify us.

Peace,

Ryan

You apparently haven’t considered that ANY FORM OF GOOD WORKS that is required by God for salvation IS LAW. The system of grace is the system of free mercy, not slavery to the LAW. No gift that is given for free can require obligation from the recipient…or else it isn’t a free gift.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

You are mistaken. In Matt. 19, Jesus is making the opposite point–that no one keeps the commandments…if keeping the commandments includes having no gods besides God. Let’s read the passage in context:

Matt.19:16-26
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Likewise, in Gal.5:1-10 (in context) Paul is teaching the antithesis of your man-centered RC teaching that places an impossible burden (a yoke of slavery) on those who wish to follow Jesus by faith rather than by their works:

Gal. 5:1-10
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you. “A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” I am confident in the Lord that you will take no other view. The one who is throwing you into confusion will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

In context even your scriptural proofs point toward the true gospel.

 

[Nick_Jones]

In context even your scriptural proofs point toward the true gospel.

Exactly.

 

[Nick_Jones]

Baptism by water and spirit for one thing.

Also, we must eat His Flesh and drink His Blood or we will not have eternal life.

Having faith, a gift from God, is not sufficient to insure salvation.

Only God can baptize a person by the Spirit. As for water baptism and participating in the Eucharist, are you making these things into works of the law? If so, then you will have to follow ALL of the law.

 

[Nick_Jones]

UNTIL ONE REALIZE THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “WORKS OF THE LAW”(ergon nomou) AND “WORKS”(ergois agathois) THEY WILL ALWAYS BE CONFUSED.

Rom 3:28 For we consider that a person is justified by faith apart from "works of the law" (ergon nomou).

James 2:24 See how a person is justified by "works" (ergois agathois) and not by faith alone.

Paul’s “works of the law” and James’ “works” are entirely different types of works.“works of the law” refer to the law of Moses or to any legal system that obliges God to give us payment… They do not refer to good “works” done in grace with faith in Christ. (e.g.,clothing the naked; giving food to the poor)

Peace,

Ryan

This claim of yours that some required works are law, while other required works are not law is nonsense. Whatever God commands to us is law, and it is undeniable that in the RC view, your salvation is completely and utterly dependent upon doing enough of some kind of works…and that this is not merely a suggestion but a command, and your soul is lost forever if you treat these required works as something other than a command of law.

 

[Sean_Boyle]

Whatever God commands to us is law, and it is undeniable that in the RC view, your salvation is completely and utterly dependent upon doing enough of some kind of works**.**

Your salvation is dependant on works(assuming your a OSASer), a profession of faith in public is a “work”.

If your faith is not proven by how you live then you have no faith. Works prove if you have faith.

So it is completely deniable and utterly false to state that the Catholic view is that we are saved by works alone. Its difficult to state the Catholic view for someone who doesn’t understand the words of Christ and his Church.

 

[epostle]

deleted by me

 

[guanophore]

This doesn’t sound like mercy, it sounds like bondage.

Then you have a very strange concept of “for freedom Christ has set us free”. Whether you know it or not, or accept it or not, God did save us so that we could walk in the good works that He has prepared before the foundation of the world for that purpose. If walking in the ways of God, by grace, through faith is not a freedom to you, then you have not appreciated that the freedman becomes the Lord’s bondslave. Oh what happy slavery!

Just imagine that on your 21st birthday your father tells you that he's giving you a new house for free.  But your father expects  this "free" gift to be "exercised."  So he informs you that all you need to do is make the down payment and make all of the monthly mortgage payments.

Oh, no, not the same at all. Poor analagy. I say this because we cannot afford to make any of the payments. Jesus has made them all. It is for us to keep the house in order, using the regulare graces (maintenance resources) He provides. We are not to let the house become a pigstye, or to let it fall into decay. He will provide us with everything needed to keep that house clean, orderly, and a good witness to His glory, but it is our responsibilty to care for the gift.

But the “free” gift that you say God gives is actually worse–it is bondage. Even the owners of slaves probably at least tell their slaves what is expected of them. But the god that you believe in doesn’t even tell you how much good work has been prepared for you…so that you can be “saved” to do them!

You have a very warped view of Christianity. I am curious, what “good works” do you think are being referred to in Eph. 2:10?

I must respectfully but strongly disagree.  It is God who is good.  And God justifies the wicked by faith.  What is the purpose of the entire creation?  Is it for the glory of humans or the glory of God?

Our gracious and generous God has deigned that humans may share in the glory of HImself through His creation.

This is why so many people who were raised RC leave it and become atheists. How on earth can anyone love and adore a god who demands some unknowable amount of good works in order to attain the “free” gift? Why call it a free gift if it isn’t really free?

How is it that people, who have such a limited perception of eternity, think that they can even fathom the multitude of good things (in advance)that God has in store for those that love Him?

You have been erroneously taught that anything we do in our relation ship with God to participate in His life is some sort of “work” or “bondage”. This is just wrong. Those who love the lord, and are called according to His purpose, know that all things work together for His glory. That means, whenever we do anything “as unto the Lord” he is pleased with the efforts of His own dear children, and we glorify HIm in our own small ways.

you are also confused about salvation, if you think we can do anything in order to earn it.

If anything in the whole universe could take our focus away from God’s wonderful grace and mercy better than the RC teaching on justification by faith plus works, I would be in shock.

Brace yourself for a lot of shock. However, the error you represent here fortunately DOES NOT represent RC teaching on salvation, so you can go ahead and be shocked by your erroneous teaching, if you wish. I sure am!

 

[Odell]

You are mistaken. In Matt. 19, Jesus is making the opposite point–that no one keeps the commandments…if keeping the commandments includes having no gods besides God. Let’s read the passage in context:

please tell me what commandment I am breaking right now?

guess what im not

I know its hard but believe it or not your not breaking them as of right now. keep it up you night make it threw the day

Matt.19:16-26
Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?” “Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.” “Which ones?” the man inquired.

I must ask why is there only one who is good? Could it be that it is that only with God it is possible therefore it is God who is doing the good threw us Catholics, obviously because you have such a proble with being good.

read the verse you just wrote

WITH GOD IT IS POSSIBLE

I love the bigger font you just cant avoid reading it

Youll just avoid responding

Jesus replied, “Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and 'love your neighbor as yourself.”

Also you have a problem with verses like this

Matt.13.49 So it will be at the close of the age. The angels will come out and separate the evil from the righteous

I recon you will be among the evil? You must not be one of those
Rapture people YOU have nothing to look foward to

Matt.25.46 And these will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”

Luke.1.6 And they were both righteous before God, walking blamelessly in all the commandments and statutes of the Lord.

**Rev.19.8 **it was granted her to clothe herself with fine linen, bright and pure”— for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the saints.

Rev.22.11 Let the evildoer still do evil, and the filthy still be filthy, and the righteous still do right, and the holy still be holy.”

Matt 12: 35 **Good people **bring good things out of the good stored up in them, and **evil people **bring evil things out of the evil stored up in them.

YOU make no logical or scriptural sence.

quick question are you among the
A: Evil
B: Good

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”

When the young man heard this, he went away sad, because he had great wealth.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “I tell you the truth, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”

When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?”

Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

Tell me what does this prove are you telling me that Jesus really didnt mean the path to heaven is narrow?

Are you telling me that it is impossible to leave all your possessions behind and follow Jesus.

Because I know of **12 **people who did. Care to take a guess?

Likewise, in Gal.5:1-10 (in context) Paul is teaching the antithesis of your man-centered RC teaching that places an impossible burden (a yoke of slavery) on those who wish to follow Jesus by faith rather than by their works:

You mean biblical RC teaching. Its Ok.

IMPOSSIBLE!

again YOU dotn even read what Scripture you quote from

“With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible”

Gal. 5:1-10
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

What does it mean to be free?

Freedom to break the commandments WHAT?

continued…

 

[Odell]

Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all. Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. But by faith we eagerly await through the Spirit the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
.

tell me how do you **express LOVE **?
If you dont will that faith without expressed love count?
not f you read what you just wrote
I hope now that you see the difference in the LAW and works in general.

Otherwise you have to PROVE taht works in general and the LAW is the same thing

THIS is something you have made no attemt at doing

Could it be that it is not biblical:shrug:

 

[guanophore]

This is a novel and interesting theory, but you haven’t supported it with Scripture. At some point this idea should be clear from the the texts where the word “work” or “works” is used in connection with the biblical teachings on justification.

I asked you this before, but I will add something to the question now. What are the “good works” that God created us to do in Eph 2:10?

Also, what are the “works” or “fruit” that befit repentance spoken of by John the Baptist? What was He talking about?

Well, ISTM that all you’re saying is that some types of human works are REQUIRED for salvation, while other types are not.

This would be a misunderstanding. There is nothing that humans can do to save themselves. Any good works that we do must flow out of saving faith. We are saved by grace through faith FOR good works. They two cannot be separated.

But the hard part (for the RC position) is to show some Scriptural basis for this notion.

I will wait on this until you respond to my previous inquiry.

But I will add one more. Who washes the saints robes in the book of revelation?

Either our good works (of some type) are REQUIRED for our salvation or they aren’t. So, if Paul, Jesus, or James really DO teach that our good works (of some type) are REQUIRED for salvation then you obviously ought to be able to point to some Scripture that teaches this.

Yes. Your point is?

I don’t see how these two “versions” of works are vastly different if both versions involve an exchange or payment of some kind between the giver (God) and the recipient (the sinner who is REQUIRED to do some type of good works).

Then you have a perceptual problem. If you cannot understand the difference between walking in grace, and and walking in the flesh, then you have not been born again. Only those who are born again can “see” the kingdom of God.

The fact that good works naturally follow from God-given faith is not even where we disagree. As I’ve said before, saving faith is a living faith that really does change people…creating the desire to please God by what we do.

At least we are in agreement about something!

We disagree over the ROLE of our good works. You seem to insist that God REQUIRES some kind of good works (by sinners) in order to become saved, and I interpret Scripture to be saying that the good works that the elect were created to do, are the fruit (result) of the saving faith that has already saved the sinner.

Perhaps the problem is not so much the definition of the word “work” as it is with the word “saved”. It is difficult to have a conversation on the role of works with a person who believes OSAS.

I don’t believe that anyone would love a god who demands some unknowable amount of “goodness” OF ANY KIND whether such goodness involves works of some kind or not.

You are certainly free to believe in any god of your own fabrication. However, the God that Jesus revealed to us is a God that knows more than we can ever ask, think, or imagine. The good works he has in store for His own before the beginning of time would not even fit into the mind of man.

He does demand perfection, and holiness. We will not enter heaven without it. Perhaps you might consider giving up your imaginal “god” for one that better fits what Jesus showed us?

Before I came to know God, I hated Him. But when God’s grace came, I finally began to see myself as I really am–a horribly vile and detestable sinner having nothing good to offer God. And I knew I could never withstand His perfectly righteous judgment. So I got down on my knees and I begged God for mercy.

You also might want to consider a more scriptural way to approach your self perception.

Titus 3:4-6
But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior…

That washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit was the very thing that made me see myself as the lost and desperate sinner that I was.

Great! The good deeds that befit repentance are part of that outpouring, rebirth, renwal and salvation. If you don’t believe that, you missed part of the message.

 

[epostle]

If we are justified by faith alone without works, and our justification before God is imputed, forensic, or our sins are “covered over”, then logically everyone in heaven will have an equal number of crowns, an equal “fold”; everyone will be the same.

Protestants generally believe that all the saints in heaven are of equal status. This is an unspoken, unwritten doctrine, which may explain why the Communion of Saints is so confusing for them. Let’s take the above quote from Matthew 19 a bit further:

26] But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
[27] Then Peter said in reply, “Lo, we have left everything and followed you. What then shall we have?”
[28] Jesus said to them, "Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of man shall sit on his glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.
[29] And every one who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life.
[30] But many that are first will be last, and the last first.

Jesus is talking about those who give up EVERYTHING. This is NOT the calling of each individual believer, nor was it the calling of the rich man who aspired to do more, but could not. Peter, speaking on behalf of all the Apostles, says, “we already have given up everything… what’s in it for us? They will receive a hundred fold, not an equal amount for each inoculated believer. Justification by faith alone makes heaven a communist state. It is a hierarchy of glory or Jesus would not give the Apostles 12 thrones (in heaven and on earth), and promising ANYONE a hundredfold and eternal life, not just ordained priests or ministers. Jesus is talking about what Catholics call the consecrated life.

*·Consecrated persons not only obey the evangelical precepts. They profess the evangelical counsels. In other words, consecrated persons not only submit to the commands of Jesus Christ. They go beyond submission to what must be done by every Christian. They undertake to live a life of generosity that does not stop with what is obligatory under pain of sin. They choose to follow not only God’s imperative will, but also His inviting will. In a word, they profess not only the law of the Gospel, but the options of the Gospel.

·Consecrated persons, therefore, follow Christ more* closely than those who do not profess the evangelical counsels. The word “more” is crucial. Every Christian believer must follow Christ. But some people have the grace to follow in His footsteps more than others. Not everyone receives this special grace. Those who do, have a calling to the consecrated life. “…with God, all things are possible.”

·Finally, consecrated persons are totally dedicated to God, who is loved most of all. Here they key word is total. Once again, only those who receive the special grace to such total self-giving to God become consecrated persons. Their love of God is total in sacrifice, by their vows of chastity, poverty and obedience; it is total in duration because their dedication is for life – no one receives a temporary vocation to the consecrated life – and the dedication is total in service to the Church, it is not a mere business or even a profession. It is a whole-hearted service of the Mystical Body of Christ.

therealpresence.org/archives/Mariology/Mariology_016.htm

The evangelical counsels, as defined by the Church, was abandoned by the so called reformers, and the true meaning of the consecrated life does not exist in the “faith alone” mindset.

How sad.

 

[Odell]

You have a very warped view of Christianity. I am curious, what “good works” do you think are being referred to in Eph. 2:10?

Also, what are the “works” or “fruit” that befit repentance spoken of by John the Baptist? What was He talking about?

I SECOND that

 

[guanophore]

This claim of yours that some required works are law, while other required works are not law is nonsense.

It may seem to you like nonsense, because you have been indoctrinated in some anti-Catholic rhetoric, but it is indeed true. When scripture speaks about how we cannot obtain salvation by works, it is speaking of observing levitical law, and trying to obtain God’s approval by works of the flesh.

Sacred works, on the other hand, are those works that proceed out of grace, are based in saving faith, and have been prepared before the beginning of the world by God so that we can walk in them.

Whatever God commands to us is law,

I suppose this is true, but in the new covenant, we are under the law of love, and no longer under levitical law.

and it is undeniable that in the RC view, your salvation is completely and utterly dependent upon doing enough of some kind of works...

You have a misunderstanding of Catholic soteriology. Do you want to correct it, or continue to cast aspersions and misinformation? You are making yourself look silly, because you appear to be closed to learning. You are coming to a Catholic forum heavily populated by persons well versed in their faith, and trying to tell them what they believe! Do you know how ridiculous that looks?!

of and that this is not merely a suggestion but a command, and your soul is lost forever if you treat these required works as something other than a command of law.

Jesus commanded His apostles to “teach all that I have commanded”. He also taught us to “be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect”. He taught us about the law of love, and yes, it is required.