ONE of the essential, fundamental elements of Christian Science, or of true Christianity, is sincerity. Jesus said, "By their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven." Sincerity is manifested in works. Jesus gave no weight to supplications or appeals that were not accompanied by a deep, pure motive, something higher than ordinary desire, nothing less than a craving manifested in works. Supplication without sincerity is mere dissemblance, not prayer. True prayer is an earnest desire embodying sincerity in its fullest sense. A token of one's unfeigned desire is the effort put forth to acquire that for which he prays. Jesus said, "All things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." No true Christian doubts the verity of this declaration, neither has he any authentic reason for believing that Jesus made an assertion that cannot be verified by demonstration in this age, through understanding and faith combined with honesty, purity, and love. The Christian Science prayer that reforms the sinful and heals the sick is a prayer of faith and spiritual understanding, uttered in silent and sublime sincerity.
The arrogance and hauteur of the Pharisee will never reach the heart of Love, while the penitence of the publican goes up to the Father, and its sincerity is weighed in the balance and not found wanting. Prayer, however sincere, cannot change the divine plan, for God and His creation are inseparable and unchangeable; but an earnest, sincere purpose to be good, pure, and noble, to overcome sinful thoughts and desires, to become Godlike, will bring one into harmonious accord with the divine law which vanquishes sin and sickness. "The habitual struggle to be always good, is unceasing prayer" (Science and Health, p. 4).
Jesus was the Way-shower, and all who come into a realizing sense of divine Love must follow in his footsteps,—manifest his teaching and practice in their daily lives. He healed the sick, reformed the sinful, preached the gospel of health and harmony to the poor,—those in need; he taught no creed or doctrine other than to do the will of the Father, to serve God and keep His commandments. To comply with his precepts and follow his example involves the relinquishment of human opinions, while knowing and doing the will of God, loving one's brother, and obeying the Golden Rule. It is not a matter of momentary transition but of daily development, the result of honest, sincere desire, true prayerfulness. To this end God works with all "to will and to do." As human consciousness becomes illumined by Truth, one beholds the development, not of a form of religion or a plan of worship, but of a divine brotherhood which Jesus called the kingdom of heaven. He who enters into this holy fellowship can but manifest love and good-will in his business and social relations, yea, in every act of his life.
