THAT Christ Jesus foresaw the difficulties which his disciples would encounter in establishing his doctrines, there is ample evidence. "In the world ye shall have tribulation," he warned them. He knew Truth to be triumphant over the claims of evil, however; and to encourage his devoted band he exhorted them, "Be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." So completely had he overthrown the false claims of matter and proved the nothingness of evil that he spoke with absolute authority. He had overcome the world, the combined fallacious claims arising from the fundamental belief of life and intelligence in matter, and therefore stood a living witness to the power of good over evil. That he had made the demonstration proved its practicability. Others could at least in some degree follow in his footsteps. What he had done, others could do.
Christian Scientists know that the constant demand upon them is to walk in the footsteps of the Master. They obey his precepts, drink of his cup, and share in his reward only in proportion as they think as he thought and live as he lived. Mrs. Eddy declares in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 10), "Christian Science reveals a necessity for overcoming the world, the flesh, and evil, and thus destroying all error." The world, it seems, as the word is here used, comprises all the beliefs which so-called mortal mind attaches to human existence, including the erroneous beliefs of the material origin and support of life. Then, to overcome the world is to prove the nothingness of every type of false belief that springs from fundamental error—the unreality of all that pertains to the concept of a material existence. Consequently, true discipleship with the Master includes proof of the power of Truth over error, of good over evil.
It often appears to Christian Scientists that they should be able by a mighty effort to complete the task of overcoming all material beliefs; to win complete salvation by one supreme effort; through one transcendent demonstration to gain ascendancy over all evil. Much is accomplished by earnest endeavor undertaken in the spirit of Truth; but when the situation is viewed afresh, it is found that our demonstration is not complete. Some phase of error still seems to present itself, and our armor must be buckled on anew. However, the heights gained, the truth grasped, give new impetus to effort. Like doughty warriors, the faithful renew their efforts and again advance upon the foe, the manifold claims that haunt human experience.
