The teachings of Christian Science uphold the highest standard for Christian character maintained by the Christian churches,—a standard which all agree has been determined by the words and works of Christ Jesus, the Way-shower. But Christian Science goes on even farther and shows that these selfsame words and works require of a Christian much more than the mere acceptance of this standard before all that the word "Christian" implies can possibly be fulfilled, for the master Christian placed upon every one that believes on his word the unavoidable obligation to "heal the sick" by the grace and power of God. The full responsibility of this obligation Christian Scientists gladly accept, in addition to complying with all the requirements of the generally acknowledged standard of Christian character. As a result of this, Christian Science is now rapidly restoring to Christianity the very important but long lost element of healing.
According to Matthew, Jesus began his healing ministry by going "about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues...and healing all manner of sickness and all manner of disease among the people." It is then recorded that "his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people... and he healed them." The immediate result of this early healing work was the gathering together of great multitudes from far distances, intent upon learning more of his healing gospel. In the Sermon on the Mount, when addressing these throngs of people whom his healing work had attracted to him, he emphasized the fact that his followers will be known by their fruits, and the last thirteen verses of the Sermon lay special stress on the importance of bringing forth good fruits as proof of one's standing as a Christian, showing that evil fruits betray a corrupt tree and good fruits indicate a good tree, "wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them." By the parable of the house built on the rock the Master assures us that the man who heareth his sayings and doeth them shall stand the severest of tests without harm, whereas he that builds not upon such consistent precept and practice, shall fall with a great fall under the same tests. This position he relentlessly maintains throughout all he says, and the following verses from Luke well indicate that even ignorance of his precept will not totally exempt one from the punishment due disobedience to his commands: "And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes;" hence the importance not only of preparing ourselves by thorough acquaintance with all our Master's commands and their full import, but also of doing according to his will by demonstrating our obedience to these commands in our daily lives. This is the only sure means of preventing us from ignorantly or otherwise committing "things worthy of stripes."
After Jesus had finished the Sermon on the Mount he again welcomed the opportunity to bring forth the good fruits he had just informed the multitudes were always the inevitable result of his teachings, and he straightway healed the centurion's servant, and raised from the dead the widow's son. It had been already recorded how, "when the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick." Many other instances of healing could be cited if further evidence were needed of the great importance he placed upon the healing of the sick.
