Direct Answer
The transcript does not directly compare which reading is harder. It does show that the impossible reading can excuse us from obeying, while the mature reading expects real growth into the Father's love.
Support from the Message
- Some Christians argue that Jesus set the bar too high just to show that we cannot do it, so He does not really expect obedience. - Daniel says the Greek word means complete, whole, mature, and brought to the intended goal, and the word itself does not mean sinless or flawless. - In context, Jesus is talking about loving enemies, since God sends rain on the just and the unjust. - The command means letting our love grow up into the Father's love, even loving enemies into death. - Daniel concludes that the perfect passages do not excuse disobedience.
Discussion Follow-up
Who is the person you find hardest to love right now? What would one step of mature love toward that person look like this week?