The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1941-12-12
The Abundant Life

CHRIST JESUS declared (John 10:
~ 10), II am come that they might
have life, and that they might
have it more abundantly." What an
inspiring promise is contained in
this statement But men, while quick
to see the promise which engenders
within the heart hope of fulfill
ment, often fail to prove practical
this promise of the Master.
If we have failed individually to
prove the truth of this promise, we
may be helped by considering how
far we have applied the rules which
Jesus has given for experiencing
abundant life. The difficulty may
have come from reading into his
words material concept of album
dance for oneself, as surplus OF
material holdings. But the latter con-
cept certainly conflicts with Jesus
precept luke 12:15), "a mans life
CONSISTENT not in the abundance of
the things which he possesseth." An
other reason for the failure of man.
kind to perceive the abundance Of
good in our present experience may
be the mistaken superstition that the
Masters promise was limited to his
immediate followers. But those to-
day who wish to prove true his
promises, may, as Mary Baker Eddy,
the Discoverer and Founder of
Christian Science, says on page 90 of
''Restrospection and Introspection,"
"unloose the latchets of his Christ
illness, inherit his legacy of love, and
reach the fruition of his promise:
IF We abide in me, and my words
abide in you, We shall ask what We
will, and it shall be done unto you.'
Thus it may be perceived that
abundant life is not to be found in
material goods, chattels, or possess
sfons, nor was it confined to Jesus
contemporaries. Then it may be
asked, eff the abundant life does not
consist of physical comforts and ma
terial possessions, just what is the
life which Jesus promised was to be
had more abundantly'?" The an
swer to this question may be found
by contemplating Jesus own decla-
ration. Do not his words imply that
the manifestation or embodiment of
the Christ, Truth, in individual con-
seriousness reveals God as the only
Life, and that those who would be
his followers must gain an under
standing of Life as God, as pre-
requisite to having or manifesting
life more abundantly"?
This brings up another point for
consideration if we would prove the
promise of Jesus, namely, adherence
to the rules which he gave for our
guidance. In his Sermon on the
Mount the Master said Matthew
6:31, 33): "Take no thought, saying,
What shall we eat? or, What shall
we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we
be clothed? :. But seek We first the
kingdom of God, and his righteous
ness; and all these things shall be
added unto YOU" And the Master
proved what he said; for he demon
strated the abundance of needfuI
supply, in feeding multitudes on
more than one occasion, in arrang-
ing for the payment of taxes, and
in providing for the last supper with
his disciples and the breakfast on
the shore of the Sea of Galilee.
1t is well for us to ask ourselves,
~Are we taking thought = that is,
worrying or being doubtful = as to
where or how or when our human
need will be metz" 1t is well, too,
to ask ourselves, "What are we seek
ing?" Do we desire to satisfy our
selfish wants rather than our actual
needs? Are we coveting personal
adornment, material success? Do we
chafe in our employment or our en-
vironment? Or are we striving to
understand God better, to recognize
and exemplify the attributes of His
divine nature? Are we earnestly seek
ing to express good qualities in daily
experience? Are we really trying
to be more loving and kind, more toll
Grant and patient, more willing,
helpful, and obedient, in our daily
contact with others? To express the
qualities of the divine nature is to
have life "more abundantly," for
these demonstrate that of which
spiritual existence is comprised. ..
THE Christian Science Monitor.