Article November 2, 1981 Issue

Spiritual honesty

BRADWELL SCOTT

One temptation of human thought is to become so absorbed in the beauty of Truth, as revealed in Christian Science, that we lose sight of the need for immediate demonstration. Without that realistic sense of the here and now, and the impulse to see Truth manifested, the contemplation of Truth can become mere idleness. Spiritual honesty and humility keep those who strive for Truth aligned with reality. These indispensable virtues cause us to keep in check all beautiful thoughts that don't take root in the testing ground of experience.

Daily we may grapple with the larger, ultimate truths of being as taught in Science. These truths have a "cutting edge" when truly grasped. Yet thought will often soar beyond what is actually in our hands, letting the mere act of contemplation seem like all there is to do. The savoring of ultimate spiritual truth can be of great value. But it must incline us toward the grace that purifies, heals, and saves. The oneness of God's universe, the unreality of matter—these truths are made flesh in humble-but-actual demonstrations of truth. With every step we hunger to understand the whole of Christian Science. We may commit ourselves to this end. Yet we are really committed only as we are willing to ask ourselves, "What can I actually demonstrate now?"

I always felt that being able to express Science in a fresh way had great usefulness. (Indeed, freshness of expression may indicate freshness of understanding—and this is so basic to helping ourselves and others grow.) However, there came a time when I realized I had apparently valued this above and in lieu of demonstration. I felt spiritually abandoned and helpless while struggling with a seasonal illness. A passage in Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy proved helpful: "Every day makes its demands upon us for higher proofs rather than professions of Christian power. These proofs consist solely in the destruction of sin, sickness, and death by the power of Spirit, as Jesus destroyed them. This is an element of progress, and progress is the law of God, whose law demands of us only what we can certainly fulfil."^{Science and Health, p. 233.}

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit

Spiritual honesty

We'd love to hear from you!

Sign up for unlimited access