Editorial February 22, 1941 Issue

Perfection, a Divine Fact

George Shaw Cook

The frequently quoted statement of Christ Jesus, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect," is generally interpreted as a command to strive for the attainment of perfection because God, the creative Principle of man, is even now perfect.

Viewed from the standpoint of ordinary human experience, in which man is believed to be imperfect, but striving to become perfect, this interpretation is probably justified. However, as we look at the verse from the viewpoint of man as the image or likeness of God, we can readily regard Jesus' words as a declaration of divine fact, the fact that man is now the perfect expression of divine Being, perfect because Mind, his heavenly Father-Mother, God, created him to show forth His own nature.

This view is in agreement with the declaration of the Apostle John, "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." This declaration of the apostle is confirmed by the teachings of Christian Science. On page 259 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," its author, Mary Baker Eddy, says, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."

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