Earnest and eloquent were the many exhortations of Paul to the Romans, but none more earnest and heart-searching than this: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Metaphysician and student of humanity that he was, Paul knew how easy it was to present to God and to the world that which has in it no element of sacrifice, that which is neither holy nor, according to the standards laid down by the Master, acceptable.
Jesus had presented perfection to his followers and had demanded it in return from them. He had lifted up the Christ in word and deed; he had revealed to them divine sonship, but he had also presented in daily living, in healing and redeeming, in tender love for his brethren, in sacrifice and holiness, the humanity which made him their example and their Way-shower. Thus does Mary Baker Eddy briefly summarize his accomplishment, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 54"): "In witness of his divine commission, he presented the proof that Life, Truth, and Love heal the sick and the sinning, and triumph over death through Mind, not matter. This was the highest proof he could have offered of divine Love."
To live consistently and to present faithfully that which is true, it is essential that we understand it. He whom Jesus presented to the world as God, could certainly not be otherwise than acceptable to those who grasp the meaning of fatherhood and sonship. presented as Life, Truth, and Love. To worship, to obey Him with spiritual illumination and willing devotion, is reasonable service indeed. But how slow and unwilling has the world been to recognize that this is the obligation of each one, this the prime necessity of existence, to show forth in lives of compassion and purity, of integrity and courage, the nature of the Christ.
