My selection of words were to vague and I found myself typing longer then I like to. So I'm just gonna wing this one and give the Catholic Encyclopedia answer.
CHRISTIAN PERFECTION
Christian perfection is the supernatural or spiritual union with
God which is possible of attainment in this life, and which may be called relative perfection, compatible with the absence of beatitude, and the presence of human miseries, rebellious passions, and even venial sins to which a just man is liable without a special grace and privilege of
God. This perfection consists in charity, in the degree in which it is attainable in this life (
Matthew 22:36-40;
Romans 13:10;
Galatians 5:14;
1 Corinthians 12:31, and
13:13). This is the universal teaching of the Fathers and of theologians. Charity unites the soul with
God as its supernatural end, and removes from the soul all that is opposed to that union. "
God is charity; and he that abideth in charity abideth in
God, and
God in him" (
1 John 4:16). Suarez explains that perfection can be attributed to charity in three ways: (1)
substantially or
essentially, because the essence of union with
God consists in charity for the habit as well as for the endeavour or pursuit of perfection; (2)
principally, because it has the chief share in the process of perfection; (3)
entirely, for all other virtues necessarily accompany charity and are ordained by it to the supreme end. It is true that faith and hope are prerequisites for perfection in this life, but they do not constitute it, for in heaven, where perfection is complete and absolute, faith and hope no longer remain. The other virtues therefore belong to perfection in a secondary and accidental manner, because charity cannot exist without them and their exercise, but they without charity do not unite the soul supernaturally to
God. (Lib. I, De Statu Perfectionis, Cap. iii).
Christian perfection consists not only in the habit of charity, i. e. the possession of sanctifying grace and the constant will of preserving that grace, but also in the pursuit or practice of charity, which means the service of
God and withdrawal of ourselves from those things which oppose or impede it. "Be it ever remembered", says Reginald Buckler, "that the perfection of man is determined by his actions, not by his habits as such. Thus a high degree of habitual charity will not suffice to perfect the soul if the habit pass not into act. That is, if it become not operative. For to what purpose does a man possess virtue if he uses it not? He is not virtuous because he can live virtuously but because he does so." (The Perfection of Man by Charity. Ch. vii, p. 77).
The perfection of the soul increases in proportion with the possession of
charity. He who possesses the perfection which excludes mortal sin obtains salvation, is united to
God, and is said to be just, holy, and perfect. The perfection of charity, which excludes also venial sin and all affections which separate the heart from
God, signifies a state of active service of
God and of frequent, fervent acts of the love of
God. This is the perfect fulfilment of the law (
Matthew 22:37), as
God is the primary object of charity. The secondary object is our neighbour. This is not limited to necessary and obligatory duties, but extends to friends, strangers, and enemies, and may advance to a heroic degree, leading a man to sacrifice external goods, comforts and life itself for the spiritual welfare of others. This is the charity taught by Christ by word (
John 15:13) and example. (See
T[SIZE=-2]HEOLOGICAL[/SIZE] V[SIZE=-2]IRTUE OF[/SIZE] L[SIZE=-2]OVE[/SIZE]).