|
CSEC ON-LINE REFERENCE LIBRARY |
|
ANNIE M. KNOTT, CSD
It is simply astonishing how many professed Christians treat this subject lightly, almost taking the position that perfection is impossible of attainment, and that God does not expect it of us. There is no hint of this in Jesus' teachings; on the contrary, we find a solemn warning respecting those who "bring no fruit to perfection." In many such cases faithfulness and humility are lacking. Some students of Christian Science, thinking they can reach the heights at a bound, ignore, or, what is worse, disdain the steps by which perfection is reached. We must not forget that even the lowliest task should be undertaken with perfection in view. "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might," the wise man counsels, which means, do it with energy, diligence, intelligence, in obedience to the demand of Principle that perfection must be expressed in all things, from the least to the greatest. Keble's lines convey a much needed lesson, — Would furnish all we ought to ask; Room to deny ourselves; a road To bring us daily nearer God. Few are aware that carelessness in any line of work violates the commandment, "Thou shalt not steal." It robs one of the opportunity to reach perfection and to express reality, whether the task lie in the schoolroom, the workshop, the office, or the home. It also robs these avenues of mental activity of their rightful privilege of expressing the Mind that governs the universe. Besides this, work ill done imposes needless burdens upon all who are in any way connected with it. It virtually denies the authority of the perfect Mind, whose unvarying demand is perfection. The Christian Scientist knows that very little is asked of him in the way of formal religion, but he also knows that the demand forever rests upon him to strive after perfection in thought, word, and deed. Few stop to think of the very real happiness which is to be attained in doing things well, the actual joy which accompanies the mental effort to work as God works. Too many think of all work as an unwelcome task which would be shirked if the daily bread could be secured without it, when in reality all honest work honestly done leads to the perfection which spells dominion. It will not do to argue that some do splendid work — in art, for example — without any reference to divine law. It would be difficult to prove that anything worthwhile was ever accomplished apart from some thought of God and His perfect creation; but even if such were the case, it would only indicate how much more could be done by those who work "with God." Our revered Leader tells us that the "action of the divine energy, . . . entered into the minutiae of the life of the personal Jesus. It made him an honest man, a good carpenter, and a good man, before it could make him the glorified" (Miscellaneous Writings, p.166). St. Paul says, "When that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away." Surely this means that when the truth of being dawns upon one, the false and unreal beliefs of man as mortal, material, imperfect, shall be done away, and that with them will pass the outward manifestations of sin, disease, and death, because every thought turns toward perfection, reality, — perfect Life, perfect Truth, perfect Love. Thus will all the days be holy time, and all our activities divine service.
Christian Science Sentinel, January 9, 1915 |
Copyright
© 1996-2008 CSEC