s."--1 Thess. 3:12, 13.

This perfection is attainable. "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."--Eph. 4:13. "Let
us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in anything
ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you."--Phil.
3:15. "For by one offering he hath perfected forever them that are
sanctified."--Heb. 10:14. "For the law made nothing perfect, but the
bringing in of a better hope did; by the which we draw nigh unto
God."--Heb. 7:19. "Which was a figure for the time then present, in
which were offered both gifts and sacrifices, that could not make him
that did the service perfect, as pertaining to the conscience."--Heb.
9:9.

A perfection not attainable in this life. "Not as though I had already
attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may
apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."

Christian perfection is not maturity in wisdom, grace, or knowledge. "Ye
therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye
also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own
steadfastness. But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ."--2 Pet. 3:17, 18.

Christian perfection is looked upon by some as an impossibility in this
life; but when we turn to the word of God and see the many plain texts
upon the subject, it must become evident to every candid mind that it is
in the plan of redemption that every child of God should attain to it.
It would not be according to the nature of divine grace to require of us
anything we could not do. No reasonable earthly parent would demand an
impossibility of a child, and it is certain our heavenly Father would
not command us to be "perfect even as he is perfect" unless he has
provided abundant grace to bring us up to this blessed experience.
According to our own power or ability we could never reach such an
exalted plane, for it is not within the power of man to change his
depraved nature, and every self-effort to reach a state of perfection is
but vain. But God is able to make all grace abound and as an All-wise
Father he has made it possible that we should be perfect.

From the scriptures quoted we can plainly see that the perfection
required of us is reasonable and just. Had he commanded us to be perfect
in knowledge, wisd