Many who claim to be Christian Scientists at the present time put much emphasis on their opinion as to what Christian Science is, or should be. But one's opinion of the Truth cannot change the Truth; only opinions can be changed. The Jews rejected Jesus for the reason that their beliefs about his coming were not satisfied. But by so doing they did not change the way, for there can be but the one Way, one Truth, and one Life. We cannot be Christian Scientists and still hold the thought that we can change it by our opinions. Having such thoughts we cannot know what Christian Science is, for if Christian Science is, and is the Truth (which all professing to be its followers must acknowledge) then it already is, and needs no opinions to make it. It only needs living and demonstrating.
Many say they can accept much that is taught by Christian Science but do not believe in all of it. This is an honest position of thought, for they do not pretend to be Christian Scientists, or to be "in" Christian Science while denying it. But no one can be farther from the Truth than one who claims to be its true follower and yet seeks to reestablish Christian Science on the basis of his own opinions. If we cannot accept Science as laid down in Science and Health we certainly are acting a falsehood to claim the name of Christian Scientists, for the Author of that book first used this term "Christian Science" and used it to designate the system first made known in that book. To say Christian Science is the Truth, you know it is, and then seek to make it conform to your opinions, is to make it clear you certainly have not realized the true meaning of the command of Jesus to deny self, take up the cross and follow him.
But one says: "I go to God for my Christian Science, and He reveals it to me." Christ was manifest once for all! if we will not accept him through his teaching and demonstration, we cannot receive him at all. So if there is any revelation of Christian Science, it is already revealed, and all we have to do is to accept and demonstrate it; if our opinions keep us from doing that, they would keep us from accepting any revelation whatever from God. We are like the Jews; the Truth is not in accord with our opinions of what it should be, therefore we seek it in a different way, and like them we must be disappointed, for there is but one way.
