Editorial February 23, 1924 Issue

"If I honour myself"

Albert F. Gilmore

In John's gospel it is related that the Jews who did not accept the teachings of Christ Jesus used many arguments to entrap him, hoping thereby to destroy his growing popularity. Among other devices, they sought to entice him into what to them would have been extravagant statements as to his origin, his importance, and his office as the Messiah he claimed to be. But the Master, keenly awake to their intentions, skillfully parried their questions, in a manner that quite baffled their sinister efforts, frequently turning the weight of proof upon themselves. "Whom makest thou thyself?" the Jews demanded. Jesus' answer conveys a significant lesson for all who would be his followers: "If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me."

How clearly did our Lord understand that of himself he could accomplish nothing; that his every spiritual quality and capacity was derived from the divine source, the infinite Mind, the origin of all being, the only cause! Christ Jesus manifested nothing of egotism, held no belief in a selfhood separate from God, in which might inhere life, honor, and power. In unparalleled degree, he recognized the presence of the Father, infinite good; and this recognition gave him the power to do many unprecedented works, including the destruction of sin, disease, even death itself. The Master invariably taught and proved that one advances spiritually only by sacrifice of material beliefs; that is to say, by destroying the false concepts of human experience, which continually present themselves. While to material sense such relinquishment may seem to be at the expense of some worthy quality, he knew that in the spiritual realm alone was to be found that which was of real and permanent value.

In the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 459), Mrs. Eddy, while considering the methods of advancement Spiritward, clarifies the situation in these words: "Paul and John had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice, so he must gain heavenly riches by forsaking all worldliness. Then," she continues, "he will have nothing in common with the worldling's affections, motives, and aims." "Forsaking all worldliness" is the method by which mankind advances in the demonstration of spiritual power and true blessedness. This leaves no opportunity to hold to some favorite belief, for the admonition is that all which partakes of materiality must be abandoned. The demands may seem heavy, the sacrifice great; but such conclusions confront only those who look to gain "worldly honors" in place of "heavenly riches."

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