08.03 The secret of religious success

III. THE SECRET OF RELIGIOUS SUCCESS The success, then, the happiness, of religion depends upon its thoroughness. A half-heart in religion means a heavy heart.

Why is it that so many of us who have set out upon the way of Christian discipleship move with steps so languid and eyes so dull, find on the road so much mere struggle and toil, so little freedom and joy? Is it not because we are not yet in our heart of hearts wholly given over to the service of God, because we are really keeping something back in our self -surrender? On the other hand, why is it that others, tried often even more severely, move along in tranquil joy, with some inner music lightening their march those of whom Keble beautifully speaks “There are in this loud stunning tide Of human care and crime With whom the melodies abide Of the everlasting chime, Who carry music in their heart Through dusky lane and wrangling mart, Plying their daily task with busier feet Because their secret souls a holy strain repeat.”

It is because their self-surrender has been whole-hearted. They realize our Lord’s promise: “There is no man that hath left home, or brethren, or sisters, or mother or father, or children, or lands for My sake and for the Gospel’s sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brethren and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with -persecutions, and in the world to come eternal life.” The success of sacrifice is always in proportion to its completeness. If we wish to serve God at all we must will to serve Him altogether. As William Law, in his wonderful “Serious Call,” insists with impressive repetition, we must decide once for all and never falter in our decision that the one aim of life is to be “to seek to please God in everything as the best and happiest thing in the world.” For “no servant can serve two masters; ye cannot serve God and Mammon.”

TAGS: [Parables]