Jesus ended his discussion of the necessity for loving all mankind impartially with the injunction, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48). To many today the demand seems so impossible of attainment that they do not take it seriously; to some the thought of being as perfect as God even seems blasphemous.
Christian Science shows us the necessity for taking the command seriously and how to go about living up to it. We begin to make room for perfection in our lives by first expressing God-derived qualities of thought. Among these qualities are contriteness, consecration, and courage. Contriteness enables one to repent of all in his consciousness that is unlike God. Consecration is one's dedication to sole obedience to God. And courage enables one to remain steadfast regardless of the temptations that false belief includes.
When he is contrite and humble, one is ready to listen for Truth and obey it. He is free from all pride of opinion. Isaiah wrote (57:15), "For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones."
