Article May 4, 1940 Issue

"Be ye therefore perfect"

HAROLD G. MORRIS

A state of perfection in which harmony is fully realized, has long been visioned by humanity, but is generally thought to be reserved for a future existence and not attainable here and now. However, in their desire to improve human conditions, men have devoted much thought and energy to more or less material ways and means. But materialistic theories and methods can never satisfy mankind's craving for spiritual perfection.

Christ Jesus gave to his disciples, and to his followers of all time, the prayer known as the Lord's Prayer, which contains the statement, "Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven," implying that heaven is where God's will is done, and that His will may, and shall be, done upon the earth. When asked when the kingdom of God should come, Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." Heaven is not a place, but a state of consciousness. One who is conscious of the ever-presence of God, good, experiences the blessings of heaven, harmony. Thoughts constantly entertained in human consciousness are manifested in human experience, and so it is possible, through purification of thought, to bring more and more of heaven, harmony, into human affairs.

Christ Jesus is called the Way-shower by Mary Baker Eddy. He lived a life which is the pattern for all true Christians. The doctrine he taught and set forth in the Sermon on the Mount he demonstrated as true, practical, and effective. The command, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," has too long been regarded as impossible to obey here on earth; but in Christian Science it is accepted as a command which can and must be understood and obeyed in daily life, even as Jesus demonstrated perfection in his life. For Christian Science teaches that the real man is the opposite of the mortal concept of man, subject to sin, disease, and death; that he is the perfect image of God—spiritual, harmonious, immortal. The teaching of Christ Jesus, demanding perfection of his followers, brought upon him the condemnation of the priests and Pharisees, yet he swerved not from his purpose, but continued to teach, courageously, unerringly, humbly, glorifying God in all that he said and did.

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