In the Christian Science Bible Lesson March 4, 2013 Issue

Called to see God's perfection

For the Lesson titled "Man" from March 4 - 10, 2013

Abby Fuller Innes

This week’s Christian Science Bible Lesson, titled “Man,” reminds us of our perfection as God-created men and women, and shows us how to look for that perfection in each other. The word perfect is used over 20 times.

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace” (Psalms 37:37, citation 4), is one of my favorites. This encourages me to keep an eye out for perfection, looking for it wherever I go, especially in unexpected places. Look at what some other translations of this verse emphasize: “Mark the blameless and behold the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace” (English Standard Version). We can be champions of peace, enabling a better future for all. “Keep innocence, and behold justice: for there are remnants for the peaceable man” (Psalms 36:37 in the Douay-Rheims Version). Are we seeing justice and keeping innocence? Those will make us peace-loving and there is a reward for us: the remnants, leftovers, if we can continue to hold to those pure thoughts. “... for there is a happy end for the man of peace” (Amplified Bible). What are the blessings we can see when we recognize God’s present perfection and harmony, rather than looking for mistakes, faults, or sins in our daily activities and encounters with others?

Another well-loved verse, from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, says, “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48, cit. 17, and quoted by Mary Baker Eddy, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 253, cit. 28). The Amplified Bible adds “You, therefore, must be perfect [growing into complete maturity of godliness in mind and character, having reached the proper height of virtue and integrity], as your heavenly Father is perfect.” Here the word translated as perfect is the Greek teleios, which can also mean “completeness,” or “being fully grown.” 