Christian Science is not a passive, purely contemplative religion. Christian Science requires unceasing growth and progress, which cannot be achieved vicariously or by absorption. The words of Christ Jesus and writings of Mary Baker Eddy are replete with duties, commands, musts, shoulds, rules, and reminders of the necessity for obedience to God, and faithful adherence to these things results in understanding, demonstration, and progress.
In his excellent article "Our Father's Demand--Unself Mortality", Paul Stark Seeley points out that even though the word "must" is not in the Concordance to Mrs. Eddy's writings she uses the word over 350 times.
One could easily feel that achieving the goal of spiritual perfection is an Augean task, but he should recall that Hercules cleaned out the Augean stables by running a river through them. This brings to mind Mrs. Eddy's statement on removing error: "The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love." (S&H 201: 17-18) This truth is always available, of course, and the flood-tides of Love it releases are therefore omnipresent and omnipotent.
It is never too late to start on the path of Christianly scientific salvation, but delay never makes the task any easier, nor does inertia slather any grease on the skids of spiritual advancement.
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5 comments:
Excellent piece. Love the thought of "Christianly scientific salvation".
Keep up the good work!
Yes we "must" be perfect
Thank you so much for your vigorous reminder of our duties as Christian Scientists. Mortal mind would have us forget these responsibilities, mentally mouth Mrs. Eddy's demands as aphoristic clichés, and consider the work done.
The first paragraph of this piece encapsulates the trouble with the way many people interpret C.S. "Musts, shoulds, rules,"etc. Who can stand under such a burden? "By GRACE are you saved through faith -- and that NOT of yourselves: It is the gift of God." Look it up.
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