fered a while to
make us perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle us. 1 Pet. 5:10.

Jesus was made perfect through suffering. God chastens us that we might be
partakers of his holiness. The gold and silver to be made pure and perfect
must be refined in the crucible. We to reflect the beauty and glory of God
must, too, pass through the refiner's fire. The apostle Paul in writing
his first epistle to the church at Corinth says: "Howbeit we speak wisdom
among them that are perfect." 2:6. Certainly there were perfect Christians
in the church at that place. To the Ephesian brethren he says that God
"gave some, apostles; and some prophets; and some evangelists; and some,
pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints." 4:11, 12. Now we
at once know that this work of instruction and perfection is to be
accomplished in this life.

He further says, "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." Ver. 13. By stature is meant the height
of any one. Christ is the stature or height of perfection, and we are to
measure up to it. This accords with what the Savior himself said: "The
disciple is not above his master: but every one that is perfect shall be
as his master." Luke 6:40. To the church at Colosse the apostle says:
"Whom [Christ] we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all
wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus." Col. 1:28.
Again he says, "Epaphras who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth
you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand
perfect and complete in all the will of God." 4:12.

What Is Christian Perfection?

As we have before said, There is a perfection only attainable after the
resurrection, but there is a perfection attainable in this life, and it is
the nature of this perfection that we wish to understand. It is holiness
of nature, right desires and actions and purity of affections toward God
and man. It implies an entire consecration to God. A young man came to
Jesus inquiring what he should do to inherit eternal life. Jesus said unto
him, "If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the
poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
Mat. 19:21. This teaches a resignation of all to God, which is necessary
that we might be refined and polished to such a brilliancy that will mak