Editorial July 18, 1936 Issue

Obedience and Sonship

Violet Ker Seymer

Jesus, it may be said, thought always from the standpoint of man's relation to God, and from this standpoint he taught and healed. In one of his parables he pointed out that directly the prodigal son recognized and repented of his mistake, he turned in his tracks and found his way straight back to the father's house, where his birthright was restored to him in full measure. Repentance and obedience had spurred him to right action.

Mrs. Eddy writes (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 160), "Of this we rest assured, that every trial of our faith in God makes us stronger and firmer in understanding and obedience." Our instant and perpetual need, then, is to realize our relation to God, and our emancipation from sin and error on this basis. The unfolding demonstration of spiritual sonship alone wins the victory over the flesh, as it did with Jesus.

In the forty-eighth chapter of Isaiah the people are exhorted to put away disobedience, distrust, self-will, and open their ears to the call of goodness and freedom. Moved by the depth of his love for them the prophet, speaking for God, cried, "O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments! then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea." The threefold blessing of obedience, righteousness, and peace is available to everyone who seeks it spiritually and develops it humanly.

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