Loyalty usually is not linked with arithmetic. A childhood experience in a third-grade mathematics class, however, taught me a lesson in loyalty that has since greatly increased my appreciation of it.
Loyalty is not a static position. It is action.
Fidelity lifts us to the spirit of pure Christliness that
heals. It begins in each heart with repentance
and rebirth and expands compassionately to meet
the world's great need of spiritual renewal.
I loved that class dearly, attended faithfully, and completed assignments conscientiously. But one day an arithmetic problem utterly baffled me. At first I was sure it was too difficult to solve; then I rebelled against working hard enough to solve it. Yet at last I did quietly begin working— really working—to understand and obey the instructions. The correct answer came with the brilliance of a light suddenly turned on, and I glimpsed the value of persistent obedience.
Christian Science reveals the depth of obedience that loyalty to this demonstrable Science must reach. While profession of loyalty is a good beginning, actual conformity to the requirements of Christianity is what really demonstrates Christian Science. Mrs. Eddy points out the magnitude of loyalty that goes beyond profession when she writes, "By loyalty in students I mean this,—allegiance to God, subordination of the human to the divine, steadfast justice, and strict adherence to divine Truth and Love." Retrospection and Introspection, p. 50 Such a definition provides an understanding of the obligations of Christian discipleship that Christ Jesus taught.
Fidelity as the Master expressed it was a way of life activated by a deep and abiding love for God, reinforced by unfailing obedience to divine direction. His unswerving allegiance to God resulted in unparalleled healing activity. He declared, "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." John 5:17 He healed the sick, stilled the storm, fed multitudes, and conquered death. Even when it was evident that obedience to God and to his mission was leading him to the cross, he did not falter. He knew, and ultimately his followers understood, that such loyalty would lead him beyond the martyrdom of the cross to the freedom of the resurrection and ascension.
Loyalty might be thought of as obedience with love—not the slavish, fearful obedience of one who despairs of any return for his effort but the loving compliance of the servant who is so certain of his master's love and care that he drops his concern for any reward and focuses on the work at hand. Such loyalty is neither routine observance of rules nor short-term bargaining to achieve some preconceived result. It is the ongoing, childlike adoption of the commandments of God, the yielding to their requirements with a sincerity that wells up from a profound love for the promise they hold for all mankind. As Mrs. Eddy declares, "The government of divine Love derives its omnipotence from the love it creates in the heart of man; for love is allegiant, and there is no loyalty apart from love." The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 189 Such loyalty uplifts and heals.
During a longstanding physical problem, it was this rich concept of loyalty that held me fast to the teachings of Christian Science. Many physical ailments had yielded readily to my prayers, but not this one. I enlisted the help of a Christian Science practitioner and began to search prayerfully the teachings of Christ Jesus and the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy. I wanted to find precise directives telling me exactly what to do to be a faithful follower. I was drawn to that road map of regeneration and reformation in the Bible called the Sermon on the Mount See Matt., chaps. 5-7 and to the chapter "Christian Science Practice" in the textbook.
I was astonished to find more than one hundred directives! Underlining each one, I began a moment-by-moment effort to understand and obey. The Golden Rule, for example, required me to bring each thought to Christlike obedience. The encouragement "'Be not afraid!'" See Science and Health 410:29-30 became more than comforting—it was a command! Confidence and assurance began to replace fear and discouragement. Reformation of character began to take place calmly and steadily. The work was demanding, but it resulted in permanent healing, tremendous spiritual growth, and a firm foundation for loyalty to rest upon.
Loyalty is not a static position. It is action. In an article titled "Fidelity" Mrs. Eddy raises some probing questions. These clarify the work involved in such active loyalty. She asks pointedly: "Are we clearing the gardens of thought by uprooting the noxious weeds of passion, malice, envy, and strife? Are we picking away the cold, hard pebbles of selfishness, uncovering the secrets of sin and burnishing anew the hidden gems of Love, that their pure perfection shall appear?" Miscellaneous Writings, p. 343 Fidelity that proceeds from work such as this lifts us to the spirit of pure Christliness that heals. It begins in each heart with repentance and rebirth and expands compassionately to meet the world's great need of spiritual renewal.
In Christian Science, the emphasis of loyalty is not on rigid and dogmatic assertion of church doctrine but on the humble willingness to change because of the truth of that doctrine. This attitude elevates one's own character but does not judge others. Even the faithful Peter, who had fervently declared his devoted loyalty, denied his beloved Teacher three times. See John 18:15-18, 25-27 Yet, when events later proved the correctness of Jesus' immortal words, Peter responded with obedience, and his life subsequently carried on the healing works that Christ Jesus urged on his followers.
Loyalty may safely lose a mere emotional fervor and gain a quiet discipline of loving obedience. Such loyalty is a lifeline of unity that moves us forward together in a straight line of Christian endeavor with the common goal of Christ-healing. It protects us from making or believing any statement about Christian Science or its Discoverer, Mrs. Eddy, that may profess loyalty but does not obey the Christly requirement to love one another. It backs up faithful and unselfish support of our churches with the spiritual strength that endures and radiates with confidence, joy, and healing love.
