Sonship ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD          Science has for nearly half a century been revealing to humanity in a new and most vital way the privilege of sonship to God, and it has had to do this in the face of a false sense of man's relation to his heavenly Father. This is very evident from the numerous protests which have come from professed Christians against the possibility of doing the will of God in the way that Christ Jesus did, some declaring that even to attempt the healing of the sick by spiritual means alone is actually sacrilegious; yet nothing can be found in the Scriptures to support such a contention. In his first epistle John declares without any reservation that "the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world;" and he adds, "Herein is our love made perfect. . . . because as he is, so are we in this world." Strong words are these but no more so than those of the Master himself, respecting his true followers, namely, "They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world."          The difficulty with the average religionist has been that he has attempted to identify the mortal, material concept of man with the spiritual man who is never less than godlike and Christlike, the one who because of his obedience to divine law is entitled to all the privileges of sonship, including dominion. A false sense of humility has led men to disclaim these privileges and man's responsibilities as sons of God, and to allot to themselves burdens as heavy as those imposed by Pharaoh. This, it will be remembered, was the career outlined for himself by the prodigal son. He was about to say, "Make me as one of thy hired servants," when the father began to lavish upon him the tokens of tenderest affection. The stern elder son had never risen above the thought of servitude, but how different was the father's thought: "Son, thou art ever with me."          How many are there who realize what is implied in our revered Leader's words respecting "the rights of man as a Son of God" (Science and Health, p. 226), and who know that the one who understands what it means to be ever with the infinite Father is under the protection of divine Love, and so is above the fear of sin, disease, and death? Jesus said, "The servant abideth not in the house forever: but the Son abideth ever." Which shall we choose to be? The son may have to labor ceaselessly, to the human sense, but not as a servant, much less a slave. "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work," said Christ Jesus, and shall we miss the opportunity to work because the Father works and as He works, inspired by Love and Truth, and guided by the perfect intelligence which knows all and loves all His children? This means working for the Father and for what Paul names as "the whole family in heaven and earth, " knowing that He can and will supply the strength and the wisdom that we need, yes, ever-increasing strength.          According to the divine law of progress, the tasks keep pace with our unfoldment. The ability, the endurance of today is surely greater than that of a year ago, if we are really keeping close to the Father and letting Him show us what to do and how to do it,—pride and ambition banished to the limbo of vanities where they belong, while we serve from Love. We are told that "God is not unrighteous" to forget our "work and labor of love." If, as Paul puts it, Christ is formed in us, we must know more each day of the meaning of sonship with its boundless blessings. The apostle says: "Because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son." Shall we, then, let material sense keep from us the privileges, the joys, and the infinite outlook of sonship in divine Science?   "Sonship," by Annie M. Knott, CSD Christian Science Sentinel, June 21, 1913

 

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