Article August 18, 1923 Issue

"Work out your own salvation"

LESLIE D. GOODRICH

In his epistle to the Philippians, Paul writes, "Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;" and in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 593), Mrs. Eddy defines salvation as "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness, and death destroyed." Furthermore, on page 39 of our textbook she writes: "'Now,' cried the apostle, 'is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation,'—meaning, not that now men must prepare for a future-world salvation, or safety, but that now is the time in which to experience that salvation in spirit and in life." The problem confronting us, then, is how to go about this scientific task of working out our own salvation.

First of all, we must realize that the problem is strictly an individual one, and one that each must solve for himself. This is also clearly set forth by Mrs. Eddy on page 18 of Science and Health, where she writes: "Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage;" and she adds, "He did life's work aright not only in justice to himself, but in mercy to mortals,—to show them how to do theirs, but not to do it for them nor to relieve them of a single responsibility."

A student of mathematics can never reach the full understanding of the science of mathematics by asking his teacher to solve his problems for him. Instead, he must begin with the simple rules and faithfully work out each problem given, until he thoroughly understands the law governing them. He is then ready to advance to the next step, working out more advanced examples in the same manner as before. He will then be ready to advance still farther. He cannot advance beyond the less difficult problems until he has demonstrated the rule in each case by solving many of the different problems. This progress goes on until the student finally reaches a much fuller understanding of the fundamental law of mathematics, and is enabled to solve any advanced problem that may arise. This point is not reached, however, in a day. Years of application and demonstration of the rules laid down in the textbooks are necessary.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Article
A Progressive Life
August 18, 1923
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit