A LIVING FAITH

Archibald McLellan

The one great question in which Christian Scientists are supremely interested, the one which should interest every professed follower of the Master, the one which, however long delayed or ignored, comes home at last to every thoughtful man and woman with the sharp thrust of fear or despair, is the one which was asked of Paul and Silas by the Roman jailer; namely, "What must I do to be saved?" Their answer was both direct and explicit: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Every Christian will, of course, at once declare that he agrees with the disciples in their answer to this vital question, and that he fully endorses it; but this statement really means much or little, according to the individual viewpoint; that is, what he understands by the words "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." If to him they mean no more than the profession of a belief that Christ Jesus did live and labor in Palestine nineteen hundred years ago, and that he and his immediate followers did perform the works of healing with which they are accredited, but that these "mighty works" and this gift of healing were only for that time and generation,—if this constitutes his belief on the Lord Jesus Christ, it is not sufficient to save him from the evils which the Master promised should not hurt "them that believe."

Jesus' own words, as recorded by Mark, are perfectly clear on this point. Certain specific "signs" were to "follow," in token of the genuineness of their belief. Not only did he delcare that in his name they should cast out devils (the sinning sense), and heal the sick, but they were to handle without harm the poisonous viper (as Paul did, not many years after), and if it happened that they drank some "deadly thing," nevertheless no hurt should come to them. "Them that believe"—not only in that day, but throughout all time! But theirs must be no passive belief, no mere acceptance of the Christ as the Son of God come down to earth for the redemption of mankind, but an active, living faith that should enable them to do the same healing works which he had performed, and the "greater works than these" which he had promised.

It is in their acceptance of the test thus imposed by the Master that the line of distinction is sharply drawn between Christian Scientists and other professing Christians. To him who takes "the inspired Word of the Bible" to be his "guide to eternal Life" (Science and Health, p. 497), to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" means much more than simply to profess loyalty to him, and he does not understand that the salvation desired by the jailer and promised him by Paul and his comapnion was something to be obtained after death; he believes that he gains the much desired salvation,—that he is "saved,"—only as he follows in the footsteps of the Master, doing the works which he did and that he commended to his followers. Through the wonderful discovery made by Mrs. Eddy forty-five years ago, a discovery which she verified and ratified by repeated demonstrations of the efficacy of the healing truth, he has learned that these works are possible now and in all time to come, and he too demonstrates his intelligent belief in the Lord Jesus Christ, not only that he may himself win salvation, but also that all who know him and who wish to be saved thereby come to a knowledge of the truth which makes free.

One cannot become a Christian Scientist without experiencing in some measure the healing touch of Christ, and it is incumbent on each and every one to share with others the good news he has received. "Freely ye have received," said the Master; "freely give"—give, as did Paul and Silas, who shared their good news even with the one who had "thrust them into the inner prison,"—the captivity imposed by erring human sense, but from which they were delivered in answer to their prayers.

That which most concerns us, then, as Christian Scientists, is whether or no our belief on the Lord Jesus Christ is based on the true foundation, the whole gospel of the Master, for naught else will avail us in the time of stress, And our Leader shows us how we may gain the assurance of the truth of our faith, when she bids us put to ourselves the solemn questions: "Am I living the life which approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love?" And she assures us that if we are doing these commands of the Master, then "the way will grow brighter 'unto the perfect day.' Your fruits will prove what the understanding of God brings to man" 9Ibid., p. 496).

Archibald McLellan.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit