To the student of Christian Science the older Bible narratives impart wisdom, understanding, and courage, and they illustrate the fruits of uncompromising faith in God, the infinite, omnipotent good. But, as Mrs. Eddy declares, "the New Testament narratives are clearer and come nearer the heart" (Science and Health, p. 501). The supremacy of Spirit over the flesh and all material law is shown by Christian Science to have been constantly demonstrated in the records of the senior Scripture. The older records seem to lack, however, the stronger evidence of the operation of love, justice, and wisdom united, which characterize the New Testament narratives, and which were illumined by the Messianic influence of Jesus, whose teachings and life constituted the pinnacle of all that the Jewish prophets had foreseen and hoped for, the revelation and reign of divine Love.
Jesus brought to mankind the gospel of triumphant Mind, the good news of omnipotence, and of God's compassionate love united with the imperative demands of His justice. Two of the gospel writers tell us that the first message which the Master delivered when he commenced his public ministry in Galilee was the declaration of these two statements: "Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." . The first word was the call of justice, the imperative first step for every person in the flesh to take in working out his own salvation; the second statement was the full and complete promise of God's compassion, which says in effect that the reign of divine Love is here and now understood. The statement is not only a promise, but is also the best reason for repentance. It is an encouragement to all mortals to know that honest repentance enables the penitent wayfarer joyfully to enter the consciousness of harmony, right here and now. Thus from the time he commenced his public work Jesus declared the prime necessity for repentance to all sinners; and during his entire ministry he constantly reiterated this command as his cardinal requirement of all who would be saved from the dire effects of ignorance, sin. sickness, and fear.
Jesus often specified the way of salvation, first through repentance (by contrition and a radical turning from sin) and then through good works in obedience to his commands. The rule which the Master laid down is absolute and final, and it cannot be too often cited in our own day: "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness." The way to this heavenly kingdom as specified by Jesus is equally simple and positive: "Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." And so on through his entire ministry, up to the last interview with his disciples, he continued to declare the true doctrine of repentance which must be accepted by every seeker for heaven or peace, in a complete unconditional surrender to God. This self-abnegation must be shown in a genuine humility of spirit, proceeding from a heartfelt desire to know and do the divine will in all ways and at all times.
