om, judgment, or in anything else in an absolute
sense, we would be forced to the conclusion that God has either required
an impossibility of us or it is not for us to attain in this life and
therefore belongs only to the resurrected state. But we can clearly see
the nature of his requirements and that they are all within the limits
of his grace toward us in this life.

When Jesus commanded us to be perfect (Matt. 5:48) we can quite easily
comprehend his meaning when we notice in the few preceding verses that
we should be perfect in love, even to the extent that we shall love our
enemies, that we may indeed be the children of our Father which is in
heaven. The children of this world love those that love them. It is an
easy matter and quite natural to do this. But to love our enemies is
very contrary to the depraved nature; unless there has been the
cleansing wrought within, there will be some inward consciousness of
hatred toward those who despitefully use and persecute us. The high
standard of righteousness which Jesus teaches here and throughout this
chapter is the standard of sanctification. The love of God must be
perfected in us, which destroys every element of the old nature, of
which hatred is a prominent characteristic.

The first and great commandment, both of the old and new dispensation,
"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart," etc., is also a
standard too high to be attained perfectly without the experience of
entire sanctification. This commandment was given during the old
dispensation; but it was not possible then that it could be kept
perfectly, for there was no provision then made to destroy the power of,
and cleanse the heart from, inbred depravity. The blood of those
sacrifices could do no more than sanctify "to the purifying of the
flesh." The inward condition of the heart could not be changed. Thus we
see clearly that this commandment could not be kept in the New Testament
sense of perfect love. Now, the blood of Jesus, which he shed on the
cross that he might sanctify and cleanse our hearts, can make us holy.
When the heart has realized the power of this cleansing and the love of
God "shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost," we can in deed and in
truth love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and
strength. Praise God for his wonderful love to us! He furnishes the love
with which to love him. If we but give him our hearts he will furnish
all the rest. He wants an empt