The Joy and Satisfaction of To-day

The mission of Christianity is to bring joy and gladness into the lives of mortals. “For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” The world has nothing to lose but everything to gain by the advancement of the true idea of Christianity. If the world has opposed the Christian religion or has been indifferent as to its acceptance, it is because the life and teachings of its Founder were not understood.

A thought that frequently presents itself to the man or woman of the world is that Christianity, while it may prepare one for death and insure a happy and harmonious existence beyond the grave, it will take away the joy and satisfaction of living in the present. This thought is due to a misconception of the character and mission of Christianity, and when this false sense gives place to the true it is seen that Christianity bestows all things and deprives man of nothing that is real and eternal.

Jesus’ mission was to give to the world the true idea of God—what He is; what He can do and will do for humanity. Mortals read that “God is Love,” that He is unchangeable, “the same yesterday, and to-day, and forever,” and yet how little do they realize of what there is in this Scientific statement of God’s character to bring heaven down to earth. The thought of serving God through fear rather than through love is the idea of Christianity entertained by many. They think of God as an all-powerful personality who inflicts terrible, and perhaps endless, punishment upon those who do wrong. They can hardly conceive of a person choosing to serve God because they love Him and because they find their greatest joy and satisfaction in so doing.

When this thought gives place to the understanding that “God is Love,” then it is seen that “He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Neither the fear of punishment nor the hope of a future reward is the motive which inspires one to serve the Giver of every good and perfect gift. The fact that such service brings the greatest joy and satisfaction to-day is a sufficient reason for accepting and putting into practice the teachings of the Master.

Paul declared that the kingdom of God is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost,” and Jesus said, “the kingdom of God is within If these sayings be true, then the Christian has a right to expect peace and joy and harmony and satisfaction, here and now. The Psalmist sang, “In thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures forevermore.” “Fullness of joy” and “pleasures forevermore.” What then would not man give to abide in the presence of the most High?

Since Christianity offers so much for the present as well as everything for the future, then that teaching that will enable man to take a firmer hold upon Christianity or cause Christianity to take a firmer hold upon him is worth more than anything else, more than all that the world has to offer. That Christian Science is accomplishing this grand work thousands upon thousands of living witnesses are daily testifying.

Christian Science is demonstrating that the saving power of Christianity is a present salvation. It brings God nearer to human experience, or rather it opens the blind eyes and causes them to see that God is here, an ever-present help. It shows how it is possible for man to trust God implicitly and to know that He does give the needed help.

That Christian Science heals after all material means have failed is no longer an open question. That it has brought joy and peace into the lives of thousands of those who were bowed down by care and sorrow is also an established fact. That these same persons believe more firmly in God than evil before, and that Christianity is to them no longer a theory but that which is capable of proof at all times, is evidence of the practical worth of Christian Science.

Ask any person who understands Christian Science, if he believes in God and has faith in Christianity, and he will tell you that he believes in God more firmly than ever before, because he understands more of what God is and he sees more clearly what is man’s relation to God. He will also tell you that his faith in Christianity was never so strong as it is to-day, because it brings him richer blessings in the present and promises infinitely more for the future.

In Christian Science he has found health and strength. Whereas he was once burdened with the weight of many cares now he is joyous and free, all because of the understanding of Truth he has gained. Who can say to such an one, Your faith is vain, or you do not believe what you profess? He knows in whom he has believed and he has within himself the assurance that his faith is not in vain.

When he recalls how he was restored to perfect health after the physicians had said there was no hope; when he remembers how that at one time there was not even a silver lining to the dark cloud above him, and now he has been restored to health and the dark clouds have disappeared and he enjoys the glorious sun-light of God’s unchanging love, is it any wonder that he is often heard to exclaim in the language of the Psalmist, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever”?

This has been the experience of thousands and it may be the experience of ad who are willing to seek diligently the understanding of Truth which Jesus declared would make free indeed. Christian Science emphasizes the Scriptural teaching that God is Love; that He is unchangeable: that He is no respecter of persons. This thought of God lifts one above the discords of earth and causes him to sing with the Psalmist, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods.”