What is your religion for?

[RoseMary131]

Purgatory?

Correct. While on earth, we can not be perfect. After time in Purgatory (if we are judge to go there and not to Hell) - we will be pure - which as you mentioned is only possible because of Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross for us.

Yes, God purifies us of all our imperfections in Purgatory if we have are judged to enter Purgatory.

 

[Horton]

What about dealing with others? How do you know if you’re acting the way God wants?

I read the bible, go to Mass, participate in study groups, and pray always. I try to live by the golden rule, treat others the way you would like to be treated. God commands us to love others, all others, not just the ones it’s easy to love. Love can be many things. We can even hurt another’s feelings by loving them enough to point out a bad choice and offering another way.

At the end of Mass, when we have been filled with Jesus, we are told to go out and spread the word. IOW - go out and love others. A book I found helpful with this is “The Four Signs of a Dynamic Catholic” by Matthew Kelly

Another way I know I’m acting the way God wants me to…the level of peace I have in my daily life.

 

[RoseMary131]

Why won’t God tell us how to become perfect…?

God does tell us how to live towards perfection? The Church, Scripture, and Tradition are guides to live towards perfection.

We will not reach perfection until after our death.

We are human.

As human, we carry sin as part of us. We first remove our sinfulness through Baptism. After Baptism and pass the age of reason when we sin, we confess our sin. One way we gain graces to continue this journey towards perfections is through the Sacraments.

We can never reach perfection… only strive.

After our death, if we are judged to enter purification in Purgatory - then our souls will be pure and perfect. Then we may enter Heaven.

Say for example I’m a very patient person, but fail to correct people out of fear of hurting their feelings. Am i right or wrong? How do we know what ‘perfect’ is?

Your question is too broad for one answer - having patience is a good characteristic - yet being patient does not mean that you do not teach or correct someone.

Depending on what is “incorrect” that needs to be corrected and depending on your involvement with the person who is “incorrect” - would be the answer if you should or should not make the correction.

 

[ltwin]

Do non-Catholic Christians believe that they can find perfection through their religion or do they believe that religion is the path to live forever?

…also, how do we detect as Christians whether or not our family traditions or traits are perfect… IOW, how do we become perfect?

To me, faith in Christ is the means to share in Christ’s holiness, to be transformed and renewed. Not just us but the whole creation is being healed.

 

[gazelam]

Do non-Catholic Christians believe that they can find perfection through their religion or do they believe that religion is the path to live forever?

…also, how do we detect as Christians whether or not our family traditions or traits are perfect… IOW, how do we become perfect?

TEPO,
You seem to be sincerely seeking ways to better align you life with God. Here are a few thoughts from an LDS perspective.

Scripture tells us that perfection is possible in this life. Matthew 5:48 (KJV) states "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It would seem cruel to give a commandment that is utterly impossible to keep. Also, James 3:2 (KJV) states “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

The Bible identifies two individuals as perfect, Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). (Note that just because scripture identifies them as perfect, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t sin at some point. All have sinned as the Bible states. They must have overcome their evil tendencies.) Studying Job’s and Noah’s lives helps in one’s quest for perfection in this life. And it goes without saying that studying and following Christ’s life helps also.

Although I’m not Catholic, I believe that a practice of comparing one’s own behavior to the ideal God provides, and then aligning one’s own behavior more closely to God’s (as I believe the RCC encourages) is a step in the right direction to perfection in mortality.

Having said all of the above there is a difference between “mortal perfection” and “eternal perfection”. “Mortal perfection” is what I believe can be achieved in this live. “Eternal perfection” will wait until the afterlife.

Here’s a link to an LDS talk titled “Perfection Pending” that discusses “mortal perfection” vs “eternal perfection”, greek roots of the word “perfection”, and a few other things: lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng

I hope this helps. May God bless you in your quest!

 

[Horton]

TEPO,
You seem to be sincerely seeking ways to better align you life with God. Here are a few thoughts from an LDS perspective.

Scripture tells us that perfection is possible in this life. Matthew 5:48 (KJV) states "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It would seem cruel to give a commandment that is utterly impossible to keep. Also, James 3:2 (KJV) states “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

The Bible identifies two individuals as perfect, Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). (Note that just because scripture identifies them as perfect, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t sin at some point. All have sinned as the Bible states. They must have overcome their evil tendencies.) Studying Job’s and Noah’s lives helps in one’s quest for perfection in this life. And it goes without saying that studying and following Christ’s life helps also.

Although I’m not Catholic, I believe that a practice of comparing one’s own behavior to the ideal God provides, and then aligning one’s own behavior more closely to God’s (as I believe the RCC encourages) is a step in the right direction to perfection in mortality.

The above verses are taken a little out of context. One of the big problems when quoting scripture.
Matthew 5:43-48 “You have heard that it was said, 'You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you, 45 that you may be children of your heavenly Father, for he makes his sun rise on the bad and the good, and causes rain to fall on the just and the unjust. 46 For if you love those who love you, what recompense will you have? Do not the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet your brothers only, what is unusual about that? Do not the pagans do the same? 48 So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect.”

This is part of the Sermon on the Mount where Jesus is teaching his followers. The use of the word “perfect” is most likely not translated well. In Luke 6:36 the word used is “merciful”.

James 3:1-18 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you realize that we will be judged more strictly, 2 for we all fall short in many respects. If anyone does not fall short in speech, he is a perfect man, able to bridle his whole body also. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we also guide their whole bodies. 4 It is the same with ships: even though they are so large and driven by fierce winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot’s inclination wishes. 5 In the same way the tongue is a small member and yet has great pretensions. Consider how small a fire can set a huge forest ablaze. 6 The tongue is also a fire. It exists among our members as a world of malice, defiling the whole body and setting the entire course of our lives on fire, itself set on fire by Gehenna. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. This need not be so, my brothers. 11 Does a spring gush forth from the same opening both pure and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers, produce olives, or a grapevine figs? Neither can salt water yield fresh. 13 Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show his works by a good life in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 Wisdom of this kind does not come down from above but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every foul practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first of all pure, then peaceable, gentle, compliant, full of mercy and good fruits, without inconstancy or insincerity. 18 And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace for those who cultivate peace.

---

1 [1-12] The use and abuse of the important role of teaching in the church (⇒ James 3:1) are here related to the good and bad use of the tongue (⇒ James 3:9-12), the instrument through which teaching was chiefly conveyed (see ⇒ Sirach 5:11-⇒ 6:1; ⇒ 28:12-26).

2 [13-18] This discussion of true wisdom is related to the previous reflection on the role of the teacher as one who is in control of his speech. The qualities of the wise man endowed from above are detailed (⇒ James 3:17-18; cf ⇒ Gal 5:22-23), in contrast to the qualities of earthbound wisdom (⇒ James 3:14-16; cf ⇒ 2 Cor 12:20).

See how much difference there is in the meaning of those two verses once the context is know. Taken from the New American Bible.

 

[Skadi]

Do non-Catholic Christians believe that they can find perfection through their religion or do they believe that religion is the path to live forever?

…also, how do we detect as Christians whether or not our family traditions or traits are perfect… IOW, how do we become perfect?

A persons religion is thier way of understanding and connecting with the universe and of bettering themselves.

 

[TEPO]

A persons religion is thier way of understanding and connecting with the universe and of bettering themselves.

As a Germanic Pagan, do you suppose its better to ‘get’ people to function better around you, or to let people figure things out for themselves by just laying out subtle hints?

…I know that’s kind of a crazy question, but I am afterall searching for perfection.

 

[Skadi]

As a Germanic Pagan, do you suppose its better to ‘get’ people to function better around you, or to let people figure things out for themselves by just laying out subtle hints?

…I know that’s kind of a crazy question, but I am afterall searching for perfection.

It is certainly better to be surrounded by people who work better themselves, and helping them do so is of course a very kind and friendly deed. All cultures consider helping others better themselves to be a good thing.

That said we are not all the same, and some people do not want help. So while helping others better themselves is good, we do not claim our way is the way for everyone or attempt to proselytize.

I would also say perfection is unatainable, but that does not mean it shouldn’t be striven for.

 

[meltzerboy]

Do non-Catholic Christians believe that they can find perfection through their religion or do they believe that religion is the path to live forever?

…also, how do we detect as Christians whether or not our family traditions or traits are perfect… IOW, how do we become perfect?

My religion is for the purpose of teaching me how to live a more moral everyday life, in ways I may not have even thought of before, and be kind and respectful toward others as well as helping them when they are in need, however I can, by means of acts of charity. Perfection may be a lofty goal but improvement of myself and the world is the more immediate goal.

 

[504Katrin]

I believe that those who don’t even think about becoming (close to) perfect are the ones that are most likely to achieve their goal.

 

[504Katrin]

My religion is for the purpose of teaching me how to live a more moral everyday life, in ways I may not have even thought of before, and be kind and respectful toward others as well as helping them when they are in need, however I can, by means of acts of charity. Perfection may be a lofty goal but improvement of myself and the world is the more immediate goal.

it’s the same with me

 

[gazelam]

TEPO,
You seem to be sincerely seeking ways to better align you life with God. Here are a few thoughts from an LDS perspective.

Scripture tells us that perfection is possible in this life. Matthew 5:48 (KJV) states "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” It would seem cruel to give a commandment that is utterly impossible to keep. Also, James 3:2 (KJV) states “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.”

The Bible identifies two individuals as perfect, Noah (Genesis 6:9) and Job (Job 1:1). (Note that just because scripture identifies them as perfect, it doesn’t mean that they didn’t sin at some point. All have sinned as the Bible states. They must have overcome their evil tendencies.) Studying Job’s and Noah’s lives helps in one’s quest for perfection in this life. And it goes without saying that studying and following Christ’s life helps also.

Although I’m not Catholic, I believe that a practice of comparing one’s own behavior to the ideal God provides, and then aligning one’s own behavior more closely to God’s (as I believe the RCC encourages) is a step in the right direction to perfection in mortality.

Having said all of the above there is a difference between “mortal perfection” and “eternal perfection”. “Mortal perfection” is what I believe can be achieved in this live. “Eternal perfection” will wait until the afterlife.

Here’s a link to an LDS talk titled “Perfection Pending” that discusses “mortal perfection” vs “eternal perfection”, greek roots of the word “perfection”, and a few other things: lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/perfection-pending?lang=eng

I hope this helps. May God bless you in your quest!

One more point, if you mean “perfect” as in “sinless”, here’s 1 John 3:9 (KJV) Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.