Paul, in his second admonitory epistle to his friend Timothy, names many conditions to be fulfilled preparatory to becoming a true disciple of Christ Jesus. In his graceful imagery, he likens mankind to the vessels in a great house, some "of gold and of silver. . . also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour;" and he adds, "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work." Thus the diligent apostle states how one becomes a true follower, ready for whatever work he may be called upon to do in the demonstration of his discipleship. To purge one's self of dishonor in order that he may become a diligent and worthy follower of Christ!
As none may rightfully expect to gain the glory which he is not prepared to receive, likewise is it not clear that none would be at peace in the company of the spiritually exalted until he had prepared himself for such companionship by taking the footsteps necessary in traversing the journey from material belief to spiritual understanding? He who is not clad in a wedding garment has no place at the marriage feast. How, then, may one free himself from dishonor in order to be prepared unto good works? How may one attain to that condition which will enable him to be of the greatest service to mankind? From the standpoint of human reasoning, the process may seem difficult. But the student of Christian Science learns that by letting in the light of spiritual truth, dishonor and likewise all false beliefs disappear before its purifying influence. Moreover, progress is in proportion to the degree in which selfishness, the belief in life apart from God, is overcome. Selflessness enables one to help his neighbor to a better view of life and its meaning.
The tenor of the Scriptures, especially of the New Testament, indicates how great are the blessings which God has prepared for His children, for all those that love Him, —that is, for those who recognize sonship with infinite, ever present Love. The work of preparation is, first of all, to divest one's self of whatever would keep him from the realization of his oneness with the Father. May not each know for himself that since man is God's reflection, his spiritual, individual selfhood is one with God? In this understanding, may not every one in true humility declare in the words of the Nazarene, "I and my Father are one"?
The holding to false beliefs regarding Life and substance keeps one from the recognition of man's true selfhood. To be rid of error through exchanging the false for the true is the method whereby preparation for good works is rightly made. In explicit words, Mrs. Eddy has pointed the way, on page 428 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear,—this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true." The preparation, then, for recognition of spiritual truth is to gain spiritual consciousness, to grasp and assimilate the divine ideas which are the expression of infinite Mind. But first there must be the love of good, an earnest longing to dwell in the atmosphere of Mind, and a willingness to renounce whatever pertains to the belief of life apart from God,—all that emanates from the Adam-dream of existence.
Let us ask ourselves the question, Are we willing? If there be the slightest hesitancy, indicating any lingering love for the things of the flesh, thought is scarcely prepared for the coming of the fullness of the Christ, mankind's spiritual healer and redeemer. Mrs. Eddy gives expression to this necessity on page 324 of Science and Health: "Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,—this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony." Let us be joyous over the possibility of exchanging the false for the true, happy in the prospect of coming into that sense of Mind where all are infinitely blessed and all rejoice in the sunshine of God's glory, where the shadows of sin, sorrow, pain, and death never fall. Since the light of infinite Love is everywhere present, it casts no shadows, and its effulgent rays are aglow with the warmth of perfect joy, with no cessation, no diminution, but shining steadily forth in the full radiance of divine beneficence. However terrible the tragedy of human life may seem to be, however heavy the burden of existence, we may exclaim with Paul, "Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ," for the means of victory are always at hand.
When mortals turn their eyes toward the New Jerusalem of spiritual Life, and even begin to prepare the highway for the coming of our Lord, the healing Christ, the earth-shadows are dispelled. Did not the compassionate Nazarene give full assurance in gentlest terms? "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Does not this foretell the coming of the Comforter, to be ever available for all ready to receive the healing truth? Even now the Christ knocks at the door. As we open the gates of thought to its gentle ministration, the darkness is dispelled and the glory that is to be stands revealed. The poet voiced his wonder at the delay thus:—
"Why is thy faith, 0 child of God, so small?
Why doth thy heart shrink back at duty's
call?
Art thou obeying this—'Abide in me,'
And doth the Master's word abide in thee?"
Great is the reward promised by the Revelator for him who through much tribulation overcomes the temptations of the world. Christian Science furnishes a practical and demonstrable way. Only those who have become its beneficiaries are aware of the blessedness and sweet peace that follow upon keeping the spirit and the letter of its precepts. Our beloved Leader has shown the way in ringing words on page 596 of Science and Health: "The illuminations of Science give us a sense of the nothingness of error, and they show the spiritual inspiration of Love and Truth to be the only fit preparation for admission to the presence and power of the Most High." Shall we not seek that inspiration of divine Love which banishes even the belief in error? Thus are we continuously preparing ourselves for '"every good work"!
