Sacrifice

Duncan Sinclair

Christianity has removed its adherents far from the days of the "burnt offering." By enlightening them on the true nature of God and man, and as to what men call sin, Christianity, as interpreted by Christian Science, has given mankind the correct meaning of the term "sacrifice," has indeed shown them of what sacrifice really consists. It might be noted that the teaching of Christianity on the question of sacrifice was more than anticipated by the Hebrew seers; for we find the Psalmist referring to it after the manner of Christian teaching, in the words, "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise."

The sacrifice, then, which is primarily demanded of men by Christianity is "a broken and a contrite heart." Translated into common parlance, this simply means that what, first of all, is required of us as followers of Christ Jesus and worshipers of the living and true God, is contrition and repentance. Immediately this is seen, the question of where one stands morally and spiritually presents itself. And no question is more urgent, because one's moral and spiritual status is of far greater importance than any other consideration.

How is one to determine where he stands morally and spiritually? Obviously, he must have a standard of reference to judge by. This standard Christian Science gives; and it is nothing less than perfection. Christian Science reveals the truth that God is infinitely good or perfect, and that the real man, being the image and likeness of God, is also perfect. That is the standard which Christian Science holds aloft before every one of its adherents. It cannot lower it; it dare not lower it. And who would have it lowered, once he has gained some understanding of it? Certainly no one who has proved its value in his own experience.

The standard of perfect God and perfect man is, then, before us. What does the perception of it tend to do? It at once causes us to look in upon our own thoughts, at our own lives, to see how they measure up to it. Not a student of Christian Science but has had this experience. And what has happened? Sometimes to begin with almost dismay; often deep regret; frequently sorrow, because of the distance by which he may appear to himself to be separated from that perfect standard. And well may one be troubled if, on searching his thoughts and his life, he finds that morally and spiritually he falls far short of it.

But while regret is legitimate,—indeed salutary,—no one should allow it to linger with him to his discomfiture. Regret should at once be followed by repentance, that repentance which carries with it the longing to be rid of whatever is unspiritual or sinful. And here is where sacrifice comes in, sacrifice of all that tends to degrade by pulling one away from the perfect standard.

Now in teaching that God is infinite good, Christian Science lays bare the fact that evil in all its forms is unreal. But mortals believe that evil is as real as good; and believing in the reality of evil, they practice evil—and the practice of evil is sin. Speaking absolutely, sin is never aught but an illusory so-called consciousness; and because it has no basis in God, divine Principle, it can be overcome. And as it is overcome, one approaches nearer to the standard of perfection. Thus, one must first of all gain an understanding of the allness of good and of the unreal nature of evil, and then sacrifice his beliefs in so-called evil in its every form.

The happiness of righteous, spiritual living may not be easily secured. But what is worth possessing that is easily won? No one ever attains to scholarship without long and persevering effort. Nearly all of the discoveries which have been made in natural science have been the result of arduous study and toil. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 459): "Paul and John had a clear apprehension that, as mortal man achieves no worldly honors except by sacrifice, so he must gain heavenly riches by forsaking all worldliness." Our Leader thus states the fact of the necessity of sacrifice, simply and explicitly. And in stating it she unerringly points the way to everyone who would lay down the burden of materiality for the peace of spirituality.

Sacrifice, then, must constantly companion spiritual understanding. Every new vision of Truth demands the putting away of some phase of materiality from our thinking, from our lives. Have we endeavored to carry out that fervent request of Paul to the Romans, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service"? If so, how far have we succeeded? And does not the presenting of our "bodies a living sacrifice" entail the forsaking of materiality or worldliness? The task to human sense may not be a light one, nor an easy one, but, thanks to Christian Science, it is a possible one; and it is one which every Christian Scientist should strive progressively to accomplish.

Duncan Sinclair

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Admission to The Mother Church

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