5:48 perfect. Jesus knew no believer could be sinlessly perfect (note, e.g., Matthew 6:14-15) in this life. Nevertheless, this must be the standard and the goal—not for gaining salvation but for living the Christian life. The word “perfect” also can be understood as “complete” or “fully mature,” but this state is no more attainable than sinless perfection—in fact, they are really the same. We do have such a standing in Christ, and we should perpetually seek to fulfill this standard by God’s help.