Article May 21, 1938 Issue

Active Service as Soldiers of God

EARL E. DAMIN

On his journey to the land of his fathers, undertaken in obedience to divine direction, Jacob became fearful of meeting his brother Esau. When left alone he wrestled with and resisted his fear until, enlightened by Truth and Love, he saw, as he states, "God face to face." Does not this struggle typify the conflict between material sense and spiritual sense? And does not Jacob's experience exemplify the victory to be won when material sense testimony and false beliefs are resisted with the understanding of God, Spirit, and spiritual power?

Does not Mrs. Eddy's explanation of Jacob's struggle clearly indicate that which is requisite to become a soldier of God? She writes on page 309 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "The result of Jacob's struggle thus appeared. He had conquered material error with the understanding of Spirit and of spiritual power. This changed the man. He was no longer called Jacob, but Israel,—a prince of God, or a soldier of God, who had fought a good fight."

"Active service" is a phrase commonly associated with the soldier who is engaged in resisting the advance of the enemy. When we enlist in the Cause of Christian Science, we find ourselves immediately in active service, resisting the army of false beliefs which would try to overwhelm us.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

The Way of Understanding