P. T. Forsyth describes the nature of Christian perfection, and the qualities of character required for a person to attain a state of spiritual maturity and closeness to God.

In the first chapter, Forsyth strives to clear up several misconceptions concerning Christian perfection, namely that it is a state of sinlessness. A state of utter sinlessness is impossible for a human believer; as we have all sinned at some stage, whether before or during our subscription to spiritual beliefs. Rather than aim to surmount the unsurmountable, the human believer must instead place emphasis on the virtues emphasized in the teachings of Christianity, while practicing enough spiritual awareness that a palpable closeness to God is felt.

Practicing good behavior and treatment of one’s fellow man - believer or no - together with knowledge of the Christian faith and practices of prayer are vital. Forsyth cautions the reader against the belief that perfection is some external entity to be gained possession of: the journey to this state is a gradual one that takes place within the soul, and is a state of mind and body that is cultivated via the various steady, incremental ways described herein.