The true inward joy to be experienced through the study and application of the truth, as revealed and operative in Christian Science, arises from the fact that the student is thereby working out his salvation. He knows this to be true. He knows that human existence is a stewardship whereof an account must sooner or later be given.
Granted that complete salvation from sin, sickness, and death must ultimately be worked out by every individual,—and the Bible, and especially the New Testament, plainly declares the fact,—to commence and continue this great life-work becomes the desire of every thoughtful student. For God demands that he do exactly this. Jesus illustrated the necessity of this aim in the incident of the two who were told to work that day in the vineyard of their father. One refused; but later a truer sense spoke, and he obeyed. The other at once promised to go, yet failed to keep his promise. In this illustration, Jesus contrasted works with words, that he might urge upon the self-satisfied doubters of his day the necessity, the divine obligation, of faithful work.
The only day a mortal ever has within his own keeping is of course to-day—the living present. Under the ever present direction of divine Mind there are definite spiritual steps to be taken to-day. Our Master proclaimed joy in work, with humility, a yoke that is easy and a burden that is light. If men came to him, it meant work; but he promised them rest! The work he meant was strengthening, life-giving. He said, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work;" and again, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." Without the light of spiritual ideas, understood and reflected by him in the healing of all manner of sin and sickness, the night would indeed have come; but he finished his work. His work was then recorded for all time in the four Gospels. The night of materiality and skepticism could not obscure his life-work.
