Editorial April 23, 1938 Issue

Our Vocation

Duncan Sinclair

What is our vocation? The Christian Scientist might reply, briefly and correctly, that his vocation is that of being a Christian—a follower of Christ Jesus. And he would have in thought, when he said this, the interpretation of Christianity given by Christian Science. How then may the word "Christian" be defined? A Christian, according to Christian Science, is one who understands spiritual truth as Jesus understood it, who possesses a measure of the Christ-spirit, which Jesus possessed, who knows the relationship existing between God and man—the perfect unity existing between God and man—and who puts into practice the truth he understands, even as Jesus did.

The gaining of an exact knowledge of spiritual truth is necessary if we would rightly pursue our vocation as Christian Scientists. This knowledge is at hand and may be obtained by all who are in search of it, through study of the Bible and of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The Christian Science textbook, just mentioned, throws an extraordinarily brilliant light on the nature of God and His creation. The earnest student learns from it that God is infinite and perfect Spirit or Mind, and that the real man is God's perfect idea, or reflection. Thus, the qualities of God are expressed by spiritual man, including goodness, love, purity, harmony, joy, and strength. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 8 of her Message to The Mother Church for 1902, "Is it necessary to say that the likeness of God, Spirit, is spiritual, and the likeness of Love is loving?" Possessed of this knowledge of man, Christian Scientists are engaged in demonstrating it by living lives that are loving, compassionate, pure, and healthy.

Whoever shows forth the qualities of God is manifesting the Christ-spirit; and whoever manifests the Christ-spirit is capable of proving the power of Spirit, God. How may this be proved? In all manner of ways, as, for example, in healing the sick and the sinful; in comforting the sorrowing; in destroying lack or limitation; in bringing about harmony where discord and strife seem to reign. The Christ-spirit enables its possessor to overrule so-called material law through the omnipotent spiritual law of God. By understanding this law Jesus walked on the water, healed all kinds of disease, fed multitudes when only a scant material supply was available, raised the dead. Endowed with the Christ-spirit beyond measure, he was entirely obedient to spiritual law; hence his power to overrule completely so-called material law.

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
Editorial
Immunity from Evil
April 23, 1938
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit