WITH the coming of the New Year there arises a desire in the thought of mortals to lay aside undesirable habits and practices and adopt a better mode of living. A resolve based upon an honest desire to be better is always helpful and commendable. But it must be acknowledged that new resolutions based upon mere desire, or even the strong determination of self-will, are not sufficient to protect one from the temptations which arise in the thought of one who believes that so-called material existence is real and true. The method whereby one can take a stand for right acting and living with the assurance of accomplishing this purpose lies in following the teachings of Christ Jesus as elucidated and applied through Christian Science.
So long as one believes that life and intelligence are in matter, evil will seem real to him, and he will be apt to indulge the errors of material sense, notwithstanding the fact that he has resolved not to do so. One can fortify himself against the evils of the carnal mind only as he learns that Spirit, God, is the Life of man. The understanding of the allness of God proves the unreal nature of wrong thinking and acting, whereby error loses its so-called power in human consciousness. Thus all good is made applicable to human experience through spiritual sense. There is, however, no cause for discouragement if one fails in some particular instance to live up to his highest understanding of Truth. Through the very failure to express that which is nearest his heart's desire may be revealed the weak point in his armor, which he is then able to strengthen against further intrusion of some special phase of error. And, furthermore, his experience can be utilized in the next effort to advance.
Who has not, on resolving to live nearer to God, found that instead of immediately realizing this fond hope, he has had numberless difficulties to overcome. Every step in the line of spiritual progress is attended with new obstacles; and if one desires to live in a more spiritual atmosphere and maintain a greater sense of peace and harmony, he must of necessity clear out of his consciousness the false beliefs about sin, sickness, and death, for it is the erroneous beliefs which he entertains about God and His spiritual universe which lie between him and the higher goal. One may, however, catch clear glimpses of Truth at any moment that he turns his face to the light of Spirit; but in order to retain the vision he must overcome the seeming reality of materialism, which otherwise would becloud his thought and prevent his retaining a clear realization of the presence of God.
