Spiritual Alertness

Duncan Sinclair

Christian Science lays stress on two things. The first is that there must be an awakening on the part of mankind from a false material sense of being to an understanding of spiritual reality; the second, that after the awakening constant alertness should be exercised, not only to maintain the position, but to progress along the way of eternal life. In stating this one is reminded of Paul's words to the Corinthians: "Awake to righteousness, and sin not;" to the Ephesians, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light;" and to the Thessalonians, "Hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil."

Mortals are asleep in the belief that matter and evil are real, dreaming that material phenomena are actual. Every material experience is part of the illusion or dream that life and intelligence are in and of matter. Disease is part of the dream; sin is part of the dream; death is part of the dream. How is it that we can be certain that matter and evil and all their consequents are a dream or illusion? We can be so because we know through divine Science that God, the creator of all that is real, is infinite Mind, infinite good.

The awakening in a degree from the dream that matter and evil are real means proportionate healing and regeneration. Mrs. Eddy writes on page 230 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," "But if sickness and sin are illusions, the awakening from this mortal dream, or illusion, will bring us into health, holiness, and immortality." And straightway she adds these enlightening words: "This awakening is the forever coming of Christ, the advanced appearing of Truth, which casts out error and heals the sick." How helpful, how necessary indeed, for the sick and the sinning to get this absolutely true point of view: to see all sickness or sin as part of a material dream or illusion from which they can be awakened through the coming of the truth to their consciousness!

But the awakening must be progressive. We cannot be content with a single healing of sickness or sin, or even with many healings. It is the Psalmist who says, "As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness." The goal which Christian Science sets before us is complete and final victory over the flesh, over material sense, even the victory our great Way-shower, Christ Jesus, won. Jesus' demonstration was progressive: his ascension came only when he had gained complete mastery over the belief that matter is real. After a start has been made in our awakening through the understanding of Spirit's allness and matter's unreality, spiritual alertness must be exercised continually, even as our Leader admonishes in the following words on page 324 of Science and Health: "Be watchful, sober, and vigilant. The way is straight and narrow, which leads to the understanding that God is the only Life. It is a warfare with the flesh, in which we must conquer sin, sickness, and death, either here or hereafter,—certainly before we can reach the goal of Spirit, or life in God."

Mrs. Eddy's books contain many admonitions of great value to the student as to how to progress towards "the goal of Spirit, or life in God." And he who is wise will frequently turn to the Bible and her books for guidance. In doing this he should recognize that all truth is of God, divine Mind, and that thought which is humble and obedient will not be denied the good that is sought. He should remember also that man is never separated from Mind,—that God and His idea, man, are ever at-one,—and that the real man never ceases to reflect the perfect qualities of perfect Mind. The student of Christian Science should take this understanding with him to all his studies, for thereby will his receptivity to God's Word and to the truth as it is contained in our textbooks be increased.

The Christian Scientist cannot allow himself to relax his vigilance, his spiritual alertness. He must constantly endeavor to hold his thought to the truth, utilizing it to overcome every erroneous suggestion of mortal mind; for only in this way can spiritual progress be made. As this course is faithfully pursued, what should be his experience? He should find himself enjoying good health and immunity from disease. He should also be able to resist evil temptations more readily, and thus be less liable to fall a victim to sin. Under the caption "Veritable devotion," on page 4 of Science and Health, it is written: "Silent prayer, watchfulness, and devout obedience enable us to follow Jesus' example." May we be spiritually alert enough to appreciate the wisdom of our Leaders's words.

Duncan Sinclair

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The Universal Remedy

February 28, 1931

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