Article July 13, 1968 Issue

Depth of Commitment

STANLEY B. SMITH

In his exhortation to the Israelites toward the end of their wandering, Moses gave the great commandment that bases monotheistic worship: "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: and thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart." ^{Deut. 6:4-6;}

The Israelites had had the Ten Commandments as law for many years, but now Moses was expressing the demand of God for their complete involvement in worship of the Supreme Ruler. He saw the need for a dimension of depth in their religious life, a dimension that has needed reestablishment many times in Judeo-Christian history. Jeremiah centuries later urged the same depth of commitment in thinking and living when he prophesied, "After those days, saith the Lord, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts." ^{Jer. 31:33;} And when, after several more centuries, the Master, Christ Jesus, was confronted by the questioning of one who was apparently content with the letter of the law that he glibly quoted from the book of Deuteronomy, Jesus responded with the simple but penetrating counsel, "This do, and thou shalt live." ^{Luke 10:28;}

Mrs. Eddy says in Science and Health: "Jesus of Nazareth was the most scientific man that ever trod the globe. He plunged beneath the material surface of things, and found the spiritual cause."^{Science and Health, p. 313;} To be scientific thinkers, we too must be alert to plunge "beneath the material surface of things." We must develop a dimension of depth in our study and application of religion.