Faith Proved by Works

DELLA M. WHITNEY

In the second chapter of the epistle of James we read, "Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone;" also, "As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also." All the faith one could bestow upon the fundamentals of music would never make him a musician; it would be necessary for him to gain an understanding of the laws of music, and put this understanding into faithful, persistent practice, in order to gain results. Similarly, since God is the divine Principle of being, man's relation to Him must be understood and practiced.

A seeker, although petitioning God daily for help, may be filled with fear as to the outcome of his affairs. Now we have no assurance of receiving an answer to the prayer that is uttered with the lips, while the heart is filled with doubt and fear. Hear these emphatic words from Hebrews: "He that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him."

In Christian Science we learn how to turn from a blind faith in a corporeal God to the spiritual understanding of God and His relation to man, and to know that since God is good and man is His image and likeness, man in reality reflects all good now. Therefore, Christian Scientists do not plead with God to send good to them, but they affirm and endeavor to realize that all good is theirs now. When one prays in this manner, he is denying power to anything unlike God, good. This manner of prayer is not new, but is one way in which Jesus prayed. Before he raised Lazarus from the dead he said: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always." On page 12 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy says, "It is neither Science nor Truth which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human understanding of the divine healing Principle as manifested in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth,—of man's likeness to God and of man's unity with Truth and Love."

Real faith based on spiritual understanding may be distinguished from blind faith by the results which follow, the works, without which we are told faith is dead—unprofitable. Throughout the Bible, prayer is judged by its results or fruits. The Bible contains no greater promises of the results of true prayer than those recorded in the fifth chapter of James. In the sixteenth verse we read, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much." We note the use of the words "effectual . . . prayer;" that is, the prayer that is followed by effects or results.

In the seventeenth chapter of Matthew it is recorded that the disciples were unable to heal one who was brought to them suffering from lunacy. After rebuking the disciples for their inability, Jesus performed the healing. When the disciples asked why they had been unable to heal the one who had been brought to them, they were told, "This kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting." In those few words Jesus revealed what must accompany prayer in order that it may be effective. Two dictionary definitions of the word "fast" are, "firmly fixed" and "faithful." Christian Science teaches that the real meaning of "fasting" is being faithful to spiritual requirements; in other words, abstaining from materiality. The one, then, who is cultivating spiritual thinking and is manifesting it in his life, is living consistently with his prayers, and may therefore rightfully expect to see them answered.

Throughout his mission on earth Jesus proved his spiritual understanding daily and hourly by his works; also, he left these commands for his followers: "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature;" "Heal the sick." For centuries many have accepted and been obedient to the first command, but have seemingly overlooked the necessity to prove the correctness of their preaching by healing the sick. Christian Scientists are endeavoring to obey fully these commands of the Master; and in proportion to their faithfulness and honesty they are proving their faith by their works.

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