Whom Shall We Serve?

Albert F. Gilmore

Paul was firm in his declaration that all who had received the spiritual vision, all who had gained some understanding of the deep significance and practicality of Jesus' life and works, should cease from sinning and give themselves wholly to divine service. In the sixth chapter of Romans he asks this pertinent question: "Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?" And he emphatically negatives the suggestion that good could result from evil, that grace could be gained through any sinful means. Later in the chapter he sets forth Jesus' incomparable sacrifice and the certainty of resurrection for all mankind, which the Master established by his unprecedented example; and Paul also makes clear the obligation to cease from sinning, which, in view of this demonstration, the Master's example imposes upon all mortals. "Knowing this," he writes, "that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin." Here is a statement of the greatest importance, which all who are seeking spiritual light may well ponder.

When it dawns upon consciousness that the Christ, Truth, is not only always at hand, ever available, but is potent to save from every false belief which would harass us, we may well cease from sin in order to partake of the beauty of holiness. Moreover, we shall cease from sin when the joys of the Spirit are understood. No one who loves light is content to sit in darkness, for darkness is a negative condition. And let us not forget that the light of infinite Love, in its unclouded brilliancy, is forever shining for all who prefer light rather than darkness, who choose good in place of evil. There rests upon all mortals, then, the necessity of making a choice.

Christian Scientists make their choice; they choose good when they accept the Christ, Truth, as the way of Life, the path to holiness and heaven. And having chosen good, it is for them, thenceforward, to conform their living, so fast as may be, to accord with the teachings which they have accepted. Furthermore, the obligation is inclusive of all thought and action. Devotion to right must be complete: surrender of erroneous beliefs must be without reservation or exception. For, does not Mrs. Eddy make plain the demands of Spirit and the results of such self-abnegation? On page 183 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" she writes: "Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power." To what are we obedient? What do we serve? These are questions which demand an answer, if we are to make sure of our position as Christian Scientists. It has been said that what we most think about is our God. That to which we direct our thoughts is the commanding influence in our lives. Do we love God supremely, or do we pander to the offerings of materiality? Do we think most of God or of mammon? We serve that to which our thoughts are directed. How all-important it becomes, then, to make sure that our highest desire, our most earnest wish, and our greatest effort are to lay hold of and manifest good. Thus shall we serve God!

It is too obvious to admit of discussion that spiritual progress is possible only as we give up desire to serve materiality. We cannot have both: a choice must be made, for we are free agents to select the way in which we shall walk. But let us not complain if, having chosen the way of matter,—that is, if we elect to hold to matter as substance, capable of conferring both pleasure and pain,—we find ourselves troubled and desolate.

Mrs. Eddy has set forth the situation in her inimitable way on page 547 of Science and Health. "The true theory of the universe, including man," she writes, "is not in material history but in spiritual development. Inspired thought relinquishes a material, sensual, and mortal theory of the universe, and adopts the spiritual and immortal." Let us make no mistake. To the "inspired thought," the thought which is leavened with spiritual truth, matter is less real; its claims to confer pleasure are less vivid; it occupies a less important place in mentality. And the Christ, Truth, the Redeemer and Saviour of mankind, supplants all material belief, bringing joy everlasting, the peace that "passeth all understanding," the kingdom of heaven and eternal life. With this priceless possibility before mortals, is it any wonder that Christ Jesus wept when he contemplated the tragedy of human experience, that mortals choose the husks of materiality instead of the Father's blessed bounty? Christian Scientists, above all other religionists, should make no mistake in their choice. Our Leader plainly states on page 224 of Science and Health: "Every sensuous pleasure or pain is self-destroyed through suffering. There should be painless progress, attended by life and peace instead of discord and death." To serve God, good, is to gain all that is worthy, permanent, and true; for this is the process whereby heaven is found and eternal life is entered upon here and now. Albert F. Gilmore

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