FAITH AND INSPIRATION

Robert Ellis Key

When faith has found a foothold in consciousness, it is not long before inspiration and understanding follow. Lack of faith and incredulity in regard to spiritual cause and effect are among the tragedies of the modern world. These seem to be due to the development of material knowledge, which places cause and effect where they do not belong, namely in matter. Lack of faith, or infidelity, is a phase of animal magnetism. It is always the accompaniment of material mindedness. The more material the outlook, the less faith there is in spiritual causation.

The Apostle Paul was confronted with incredulity and skepticism when brought before Festus and King Agrippa. Paul had previously declared his conviction as to the resurrection from the dead, and to this end he preached to the Jews concerning Christ Jesus. It was upon the doctrine of the resurrection that conversation obviously turned when the apostle spoke with Agrippa, for Paul exclaimed (Acts 26:8), "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?" As Paul continued to speak, Festus was moved to declare in a loud voice (verse 24), "Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad." The apostle, however, stood his ground: "I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness."

The incredulity, or infidelity, of mortal mind has not changed with the passage of time, but it is being forced to give way under the impact of the healing works of Christian Science. The student of Science opens his thought to the infinite abilities and possibilities of Spirit, even to the raising of the dead. One remembers the emphatic declaration of Christ Jesus (Matt. 17:20), "Nothing shall be impossible unto you."

The spirituality which can break the crust of incredulity, or infidelity, must be vigorous, active, loving, and inspirational. It might be said that inspiration is an absolute necessity in order to restore the instantaneous cure to this age. The passage of years does not deprive one of his inspiration. It can be fresh and vigorous every morning to those who understand the presence and power of Life, Truth, and Love and demonstrate it.

The inspirational outlook is expressed by spiritual expectancy, spiritual love, and spiritual conviction. No doubt or infidelity can creep into the heart inspired by gratitude to divine Love. The result of inspiration is demonstration. We must work, pray for, and demonstrate inspirational consciousness, or else interest will lag, life become drab, and love lose its spiritual immediacy. This cannot take place when communion with God is maintained and divine Love is seen to be forever in action.

Let thought be filled with the infinite possibilites of Spirit. No limit can be placed upon the Father's love, no infidelity can darken the thought or deny immediate results when the heart is alive to Love's presence.

If we believe that we can do anything of ourselves, then we leave the basis of Spirit and enthrone an imaginary ability and intelligence separated from the wisdom of God. If, however, with childlike trust, joy, and humility we steadfastly turn to God in praise and prayer, then consciousness will be flooded with inspiration, and the veil of years will fall away, revealing one's timeless, inspirational manhood.

The Gospel of Mark is one of spiritual expectancy. In this Gospel we read of the immediate effects of spiritual inspiration. Words such as "straightway" and "immediately" occur frequently. The New Testament shows that every act of the Master, Christ Jesus, expressed a spiritual expectancy which worked with certainty and overcame even the last enemy.

We need this expectant outlook because it is inspirational. It is required for truly productive study of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. The written word of an ordinary book sometimes becomes familiar with use and thereby loses its sparkle, but this is not so with our textbook. The more it is studied the clearer it shines. Day after day we can find fresh inspiration in every passage of Mrs. Eddy's works. She says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (Pref., p. ix), "Truly may it be said: There is an old age of the heart, and a youth that never grows old."

We must retain that warmth of inspiration that never grows dull or cold. The belief of age is not so much a question of time as of failure to maintain interest in life and the loss of inspiration. If we will keep alive and active the expectancy of good, if we will keep in mind the lesson learned from the resurrection, wherein all suffering, even the suffering of death, was obliterated, then we shall be able to appreciate Paul's declaration to King Agrippa, "Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?"

How important, then, to learn the lesson of Love and to perpetuate the true concept of Life by preserving our faith in God, our expectancy of good, and our spiritual inspiration.

Robert Ellis Key

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TRUE INCLUSIVENESS

December 11, 1954

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