The Gospel Day; Or, the Light of Christianity. Charles Ebert Orr

perfecting of the saints.” 4:11, 12. Now we at once know that this work of instruction and perfection is to be accomplished in this life.

      He further says, “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ.” Ver. 13. By stature is meant the height of any one. Christ is the stature or height of perfection, and we are to measure up to it. This accords with what the Savior himself said: [pg 086] “The disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be as his master.” Luke 6:40. To the church at Colosse the apostle says: “Whom [Christ] we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.” Col. 1:28. Again he says, “Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.” 4:12.

      What Is Christian Perfection?

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      As we have before said, There is a perfection only attainable after the resurrection, but there is a perfection attainable in this life, and it is the nature of this perfection that we wish to understand. It is holiness of nature, right desires and actions and purity of affections toward God and man. It implies an entire consecration to God. A young man came to Jesus inquiring what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus said unto him, “If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.” Mat. 19:21. This teaches a resignation of all to God, which is necessary that we might be refined and polished to such a brilliancy that will make us a light in the world. Christians are termed jewels in the Scriptures. “And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels.”

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      Oh, to be a brilliant jewel,

      Sparkling, shining for the Lord,

      Polished by the great Refiner,

      Washed and winnowed through the blood.

      Christian perfection includes soundness and inoffensiveness of speech. “If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.” Jas. 3:2. We consider this a very strong text, and an abundance of grace is required to enable us to perfectly fulfil it.

      God's Perfection Is The Standard Of Christian Perfection.

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      “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” Mat. 5:48. The perfection which God designs that Christians shall have equal with his own relates to the purity of his nature and affection. In the immediate preceding verses the Savior commands Christians to love their enemies, bless them that curse them, do good to them that hate them, and pray for them which despitefully use them and persecute them. As Christians this is our nature. We will not “render evil for evil.” We will befriend our persecutors, feed our enemy when he hungers, and give him drink when he thirsts. In verse forty-five the Savior tells us of the Father's behavior toward his enemies: “He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.” Here we behold [pg 088] the merciful nature of God and how he does good for evil. If we love only those who love us and do good only to those who do good to us (ver. 46, 47) we are not in the nature of God; we are no more than publicans and sinners. But if we love our enemies and do good to those who hate us, we are reflecting the character of God. In this respect he would have us to be “perfect, even as he is perfect.” O beloved, see that you entertain right feelings toward all men. Do good to your enemies; love them, pray for them, and convince them that you are more than the ordinary sinful man, and God will bless you now and eternally.

      In the parable of the sower and its explanation the Savior said the seed which fell among thorns are they which hear the word and go forth and are choked by the cares and riches and pleasures of life, and bring no fruit to perfection. Luke 8:14. Christian fruit is loving our enemies, doing them good, doing good unto all men, speaking evil of none, manifesting love, faith, meekness, gentleness, joy, etc. This is Christian fruit, and may God help every reader to bring it forth to the highest degree of perfection.

      Purity.

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      “Keep thyself pure.” 1 Tim. 5:22. In such commands there is something animating and ennobling. To enable us to have some conception of purity we have only to think of heaven and of the angels. This [pg 089] world has been betimes visited by celestial beings. They are spoken of as being clothed in white and having countenances shining as the light. Mat. 28:3; Mark 16:5; John 20:12; Acts 1:9, 10. White is an emblem of purity. These transient visitors from above robed in white raiment represent the purity of heaven. Purity is not ascribed alone to heavenly beings, but it is a characteristic of the redeemed upon the earth. Purity is effected through the atoning blood. The sweet singer David said: “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.”

      The beloved John in a vision saw “a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.” Rev. 22:1. This “river of water of life” is the cleansing stream of God's salvation. “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17. This means salvation. “I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely.” Rev. 21:6. This is the cleansing fountain of salvation. This stream is pure. It flows from the throne of God. It is as pure as its source. Whosoever enters this crystal stream will be made as pure as its waters.

      Though the soul be stained with scarlet stains,

      It shall be white as snow;

      Though the soul be stained with crimson stains,

      It shall be white as wool.

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      The prophet Isaiah in speaking of the cleansing fountain of salvation in that day, said: “And I will turn my hand upon thee, and purely purge away thy dross, and take away all thy sin.” Isa. 1:25. The cleansing stream will remove all the dross and leave the soul pure. These are garments of salvation. This is not literal, but the cleansing away of sin and the infusion of righteousness is represented by the taking away of filthy rags and being clothed in the garments of salvation. The Lamb's wife, which is his church—which is his people—was “arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of saints.” Rev. 19:8.

      We will now give a Bible lesson describing the purity of man through the blood of Jesus.

      A pure soul. “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.” 1 Pet. 1:22.

      A pure heart. “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Mat. 5:8.

      A pure mind. “This second epistle, beloved, I now write unto you, in both which I stir up your pure minds by way of remembrance.” 2 Pet. 3:1.

      A pure conscience. “I thank God whom I serve from my forefathers with pure conscience.” 2 Tim. 1:3.

      A pure language. “For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the [pg 091] name of the Lord, to serve him with one consent.” Zeph. 3:9.

      Pure thoughts. “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Phil. 4:8.

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