THINKING people, generally, agree that most men desire to excel in, to perfect, to accomplish something worth while. With efficiency as a keynote, and invention and education joining hands, the world's workers seem to a considerable extent to have mastered the air, overcome the wave, harnessed the lightning,—in short, dominated the things of the earth,—wonderful achievements in the material sphere of action! But the pride of physical accomplishment alone can never satisfy the longing of the seeker for Truth. "Acquaint now thyself with him [God], and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee," was the charge of Eliphaz to Job. And we know that deep in the heart of every Christian dwells a yearning for those heavenly gifts so freely bestowed by God, the creator of a perfect universe, on those who love Him.
Paul recognized the acquirement of completeness by all as a present possibility, when he wrote to the Corinthians, "Be perfect." But how is one to attain this desideratum? What must one do to merit the Psalmist's praise, "Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace"? Must he not turn to Jesus of Nazareth for guidance,—to him who demonstrated the ideal man? Mrs. Eddy writes of Christ Jesus in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 482): "Jesus was the highest human concept of the perfect man. He was inseparable from Christ, the Messiah, —the divine idea of God outside the flesh. This enabled Jesus to demonstrate his control over matter." Christ Jesus, the perfect example of what all men should be, is recognized as humanity's Way-shower. "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and . . . come and follow me," were his words to the rich young man. If Christians would but heed the Master's invitation and follow him, strive to be like him, the perfection he manifested would be attainable. The perfect pattern of holiness expressed by the Nazarene, and immortalized by him in word and deed, is a glorious prize.
Individuals immersed in the doctrines of popular theology may find it difficult to realize the great fact that all things are possible to man as God's image. They deem it impossible for any one successfully to emulate the life and works of Jesus. But why should we fail to attain this perfect holiness? The Bible proclaims spiritual man to be made in God's likeness. Could what God creates be less than perfect, when God is perfect? Did not John declare, "Now are we the sons of God"? And the Master said in his incomparable Sermon on the Mount, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
