Sincerity

Duncan Sinclair

There are few qualities more worthy than sincerity. Usually when one is referred to as sincere he is regarded as being frank, truthful, virtuous, and honest—a trustworthy, honorable person. In giving Titus directions regarding doctrine and conduct, and asking him to exhort young men "to be sober minded," Paul admonished him to show himself in all things "a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing un-corruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned." In other words, the apostle impressed upon Titus the necessity of making his life a pattern, an example, of true Christian manhood.

How valuable is sincerity! On page 203 of "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" Mrs. Eddy says, "A deep sincerity is sure of success, for God takes care of it." And no one, surely, will doubt that this admirable quality is based upon an understanding of divine Principle. Suppose the case of one who is lacking in truthfulness and honesty, one who is untruthful and dishonest, or, briefly, one who is insincere. This insincere person takes up the study of Christian Science. He begins to understand God as infinite good, and to know that evil is unreal. He learns, further, that God is infinite Truth, and that the real man reflects God or Truth. As the facts of spiritual being are revealed to him he sees the futility of thinking and doing anything not in accord with divine Principle. What is the result? He turns from sin; his thoughts dwell more fervently on Principle, and inevitably his life conforms to his thoughts, becoming honorable, trustworthy, sincere. He thus attains to a measure of genuine spiritual success.

The student of Christian Science should be conspicuously sincere—one who is above suspicion; honorable, reliable. Duplicity and all underhand methods ought to be anathema to him; integrity should be stamped upon his character. More than that, it should be his endeavor to conform his words and his actions to the standard of Christian Science. What does this mean? It signifies that he will not fail to show forth in his life the love which Christ Jesus said should be given to God and man. Sincerity can be excluded from no part of the Christian Scientist's life. It should be as inevitably associated with it as the leaf with the tree in summer.

Moreover, our sincerity must continually be augmented. How is this to be done? By study and prayer. We must have frequent recourse to our textbooks, the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings, including "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures;" for these contain the revealed Word of Truth. Our Leader's works, with their marvelous elucidations of Principle, render the Bible intelligible to us, and make its truths to shine forth with healing brilliancy. And as we study these writings our understanding of God, good, becomes more real, more tangible, to us; and we see more clearly evil as unreal. Thus our whole moral fiber is strengthened as honesty, compassion, affection, and sincerity take the place of the depraved beliefs of the carnal mind, equipping us for the work of bringing salvation and health to our fellow-men. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health, p. 15), "The Master's injunction is, that we pray in secret and let our lives attest our sincerity."

How indispensable is sincerity in the healing work of Christian Science! It may be said that without sincerity the practitioner's work would be a mockery. It may be said, also, that insincerity usually is soon unmasked. How comforting is the sincere thought, with its transparent honesty, its earnestness, its desire to help and to heal! We can be certain that the sick readily detect it, and as readily rely upon it. Sincerity and still more sincerity, is required. This is the same as saying that a greater measure of spiritual understanding is needed by all who are engaged in the practice of healing the sick through Christian Science, since spiritual understanding determines spirituality, and spirituality results in sincerity.

It would not be possible to say what sincerity means to him who possesses it, in the routine work of life. Our Leader in her Message to The Mother Church for 1900 (p. 9) writes, "Sincerity is more successful than genius or talent." Genius and talent, how often have these been reckoned as the prize winners! But no; it is sincerity, the virtue which springs from spiritual understanding and grows stronger and purer with every advance in spirituality—it is sincerity, more than genius and talent, that assures success. In cherishing sincerity, however, the Christian Scientist does not have material reward before him, reward that is temporal and fleeting; rather has he the desire for spiritual blessedness, that blessedness which results from faithful and steadfast obedience to God, divine Principle.

Duncan Sinclair

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Editorial

Borrowed Intelligence

September 7, 1929

Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit