Taking up the Cross

LUCILE ROBERTSON

Jesus said, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, states in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 9), "There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith." It is obvious, then, that to be a true follower of Christ involves bearing a cross,—assuming responsibility. Mrs. Eddy further states on page 22 of Science and Health, "Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort," thus making it plain that salvation is an individual problem.

Until the divine Principle of Christian Science becomes understood in some degree, the working out of his salvation is often contemplated with misgivings by the beginner in Christian Science. He perhaps prefers to rely upon the "vicarious effort" of some one who possesses what he calls more advanced understanding. But as the light of Truth and Love dawns upon him, and the joy of demonstrating his own understanding is experienced, these doubts are replaced with confidence and hope. He learns to know, by actual proof, that God is all-powerful and ever present.

For many months after taking up the study of Christian Science, the writer depended entirely upon a loving practitioner to solve her problems, not realizing that she was shirking a responsibility in not trying to handle at least some of them herself. While listening to the above-quoted text from Luke at a Christian Science meeting one Wednesday evening, she wondered what "take up his cross daily" meant, when viewed in the light of Christian Science. Some time afterward the answer came,—that it was to overcome all the temptations, obstacles, disappointments, and trials which daily confront one, and not meekly submit to them; that in proportion to one's faithfulness in overcoming, through the application of God's law, was he working out his salvation.

The problem of salvation, or overcoming, is indeed a daily one,—a constant affirming of God's allness and omnipresence, and denial of the claims of matter; the suppressing of unkind criticism; being alert to resist the temptations to judge, to rest in self-complacency, to indulge in vain regrets. May we, as Christian Scientists, never be caught looking back, but always be alert to the opportunities of to-day.

All of our overcoming involves putting off a false sense of self; or, as Jesus said, denying self. Knowledge of the false sense of self is requisite in order to find the real, the spiritual selfhood. In her book "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 233) Mrs. Eddy says: "Ignorance of self is the most stubborn belief to overcome, for apathy, dishonesty, sin, follow in its train. One should watch to know what his errors are." One's progress heavenward depends on one's understanding of divine Principle, and this must include a knowledge of one's real self,—man.

Proportionately as the human sense of self is overcome, do we realize that freedom for which we are striving,—freedom not only from bodily suffering, but from all our afflictions. Self-gratification is thus eliminated from purpose, and the burden of labor is lifted from work. We look away from self-guidance to God-guidance. Harmony and happiness are proved to be ever present manifestations of the divine Mind, contingent on neither environment nor material condition. Our eye becomes single, and great "is the light thereof." Seeming obstacles prove to be but false concepts, and disappear in that light. We learn to love our neighbor as ourselves, as selfishness gives place to selflessness.

Our cross may seem heavy at times, more than we can seem to bear. But we have enlisted as true followers of Christ, and we must be willing to pay the price. And the greater the price, the larger the gain. The way, however, will not seem so rugged and uphill, if we but realize man's God-given dominion over all mortal strife, and our right to succeed through honest endeavor. Then we shall not pause, but press onward until we have reached the Horeb height. Once the ascent is won, there can be no retrogression; for we shall have climbed by the way of Truth and Love—the only way. There we shall know no self-glorification; for self will have been left behind. We shall behold only God's glory, and man in His likeness.

What an example of self-immolation we have in the life of Mrs. Eddy! May we, too, never weary in daily overcoming, that we also may experience the joy of knowing that our robes are being washed white, and that we too shall come out of great tribulation. May we rejoice daily that we have an understanding of perfect and ever available Principle whereby we can overcome unto salvation. And may we daily rise to new endeavor, unfailing in purpose, with vision focused on the goal ahead, the everlasting crown of peace awaiting us, and the immeasurable joy of dwelling throughout eternity with our Father.

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