The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-02-24

gard 1T with indifference. pass 1t by
with scarcely a thought and think
of IL simply as an unreasonable the
ory of emotional people. To the
thoughtful man unswayed by feeling
perfection in this world seems alb
solntely foolish and contradicted by
every fact OF experience. We must
remember, however, that we are not
considering q theory or a doctrine,
but the words of Christ. They mean
something. What Is that meaning?
Because some have given these
words a meaning that seems extrava-
giant the church at large has no right
to ignore these beautiful and SOL
ern words and they are neglected at
our peril
Need | say that men are too often
content with a low standard OF Chris
tanity2 They allow tho church or
the community, or even their social
circle, To set for them the standard
Of morality and religion without ask
ing what the Master says.
He tells us clearly that religion
must be far ahead OF tho world 3
best morality, he perfect Can
we be perfect? What does Christ
mean? lis the church trying to live
up to this commando i fear that We
AT the outset we are met with prob
lens hard TO solve and discouraged
because controversy and criticism
have grown 80 hot that IL shows the
presence of imperfection In us still
Let ho one be discouraged by mya-
tory. We look for facts In this world
We must often guess at processes.
Who car tell how the rocks grow
and form th2ir crystals with unerring
accuracy Who knows how or why
the flowers bloom? 90 into a beau
tful rose garden. Can you tell why
some are white, some yellow, some
red? They are all nourished by the
same mother earth. drink in the same
dews or heaven. are warmed by the
same sunlight. Can you account for
the ohaste white of one and the Grim
son blush OF the other? No. But one
thing is certain. The roses bloom
and exhale their fragrance and by
their variety enhance the beauty OF
the garden. SO 1t Is with human ex-
periepce. We are planted In Gods
garden.
We are nouirshed by the same spirit
ia! forces watered by the dews of d.
vine grace, warmed into life by the
sunlight of the Saviour's smile We
do not all think or feel alike, bue We
fragrance Of pure lives and unfold the
blossoms OF noble deeds.
/. This text means that Gods per-
lection is our pattern, our standard. our
Ideal. ! can never believe that man
reaches perfection as absolute as
Gods, never sine even unconsciously.
never makes any mistakes, Is never
/ tempted except by outside influences.
We can make God our ideal and
Esat o..
always better than actual attachments.
The pointer sees face Ia his dreams
that far suFpasses tho face on the can
Vass.
The sculptor carves his statue with
exquisite care and toll yet when II Is
all done and he has put the last touch
on 1t and admiring friends praise its
wonderful beauty there is 70 him an
lmperfection that he cannot describe.
but simply feels.
1t Is the same with the great writer.
There comes to him an idea born OF
his noble soul. He endeavors TO give 1t
/ expression. Men read his poetry and
call him an immortal singer. but In his
own heart he gToons over his irnper-
fectlons and says: 1T Is so far from
my Ideal OF what should be written TO
bless and cheer men of every age"
80 some have said about this COM
nand OF God. AS men never ind a
perfect pointer, sculptor. or poet, but
all agree in condemning the faults
found and making perfection the only
.Hsail'sseyd. so f4Iaeh more does God make
perfection the standard in the moral
world. God Is perfect. His law must
be perfect. He cannot have any low
standard. He cannot conform to us we
must reach after His perfection II
would be treason to His own honor to
make an imperfect law.
Even after men become Christians
an angry word sometimes leaps to the
lips In an unguarded moment. We
would think him model man who
never got angry but once in a life
time. But Gods law Is and must be:
Never be angry with your brother
without a cause. Someone may say;
III we cannot be perfect why does God
tell us to be sof' / answer first be-
cause we need this perfect law must
have ii to conform with Gods nature
and hold any check worth having over
evil in tie world. Again, / would not
admit that we cannot be perfect in the
correct sense of the word
Whenever men commit a sin wilfully
they are not conscious of any corn
peiling power they could have done
right II they had so desired.
We may not be able to avoid mis-
takes, Sins OF omission, neglected OBJ
portunfties, but We may avoid known
sim ! consider this the meaning of
perfection, at least the negative mean
Ing slnlessness, freedom from known
sin Positively DEFINED perfection liz
doing what we know to be right.
SnpJectNeiy perfection Is that state
of grace, especially love In our hearts
mat causes us to do right and feel
right We need to emphasize this
experience OF sinlessness and make
1t clear that the Christian must live
without sin-not some Christians, but
All. whatsoever Is born of God sin
Aeth not, says John, meaning here
undoubtedly that the converted man
must give up his sin: cannot be an
hapltuai sinner. 1t does not mean
tlae tne christian never falls a VIC
tim to sudden temptation.
There Is vast difference between
SHINING rarely under the stress or a
sudden temptation and SHINING viii
fully and habitually. The one who
holds before himself the perfect ideal
ever strains upward. The one who
does not try to avoid all sin. calmly
saying that perfection Is impossible
SHINING to-day and expecting to re-
pent tomorrow, brings a shame upon
tho church and often spiritual ruin
upon himself. Do not imagine Won
must sin and content yourself In a
state of sinfulness, thinking You are
in state of grace. Because David
fell grievously and because Paul and
Barnahas had a stir contention. and