Be perfect? After sharing all the things that apply to those who would be righteous - Jesus emphasizes the thrust of what He is saying - that basically if you would be righteous then you must be perfect - as the Father is perfect. Ouch. The thing is that it is IMPOSSIBLE for man to be perfect with the corruption of sin. That's the point - if we can't measure up to this standard that how are we going to be able to know God?

The answer is calvary. Jesus IS perfect, and it's HIS perfection that we "put on" when we believe and receive. His work at calvary makes it possible for us to do all the things he lists in these verses!