Article March 24, 1934 Issue

Sufficient Grace

LOUISE RAVENS

One of the characteristics of the erring human so-called mind is to cling to traditions of one sort and another. These traditions are sometimes praiseworthy, sometimes the reverse. A tradition is often so fixed in human belief that in one generation after another individuals accept it without realizing that it may be utterly false.

Many who study Paul's epistles, and particularly his letters to the Corinthians, seem to settle into the conviction that this zealous adherent of Truth was unable to rid himself of a troublesome "thorn in the flesh," and that he therefore bowed in submission to a great burden, having been assured, however, by the all-loving Father that the grace of God would enable him to bear the load. This has been accepted by them in spite of the fact that, due to his spiritually enlightened thought, Paul suffered no harm from a poisonous viper which once fastened on his hand, and that on another occasion he was freed from the prison stocks imposed upon him and his companion. Whatever the nature of the "thorn in the flesh" may have been, it is evident that Paul was not at once able to rise above it in his own thinking; for it is recorded that he "besought the Lord thrice," the reply to his petition being, "My grace is sufficient for thee."

In the light of Christian Science we are able to arrive at a satisfactory interpretation of this divine response. In an inspiring passage concerning Philip's interview with the eunuch, Mrs. Eddy points out that true salvation is brought about by understanding and acknowledging the oneness of God and the real man, the inseparability of Love and its perfect idea. The realization of this unity of God and man is the "Holy of Holies, where the miracle of grace appears, and where the miracles of Jesus had their birth" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 77). Through a careful analysis of this statement it is apparent that grace is born of the understanding of divine Mind, of the appreciation of God and the spiritual universe. This understanding is sufficient because it has power to overcome every error in human consciousness. Grace is inseparable from holiness and purity; and we may conclude that, because of this, Paul was not helpless, but on the contrary must have been able to vanquish the threatening suggestions of evil. Indeed, we are assured (ibid., p. 201) that "Paul took pleasure in infirmities, for it enabled him to triumph over them."

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