Before Jesus of Nazareth raised up Lazarus from the dead he expressed his at-one-ment with divine Principle in his familiar words: "Father, I thank thee that thou hast heard me. And I knew that thou hearest me always," and from this incident in our Master's experience there are clearly discernible gradations of progress as shown in the changed belief of the onlookers at the tomb, the faith and dawning understanding of Jesus' disciples, and the scientific understanding of the continuity and omnipotence of Love and Life that Jesus consciously reflected. Jesus did not require a visible manifestation of a changed belief to convince him of the allness of Life, but the Jews at the grave required that applied proof, and so did Jesus' disciples, and we are also called upon more than ever before to prove our faith by our works.
Christian Science practice may be thought of as the successful application of spiritual law and rules to human affairs, and spiritual efficiency which is inseparable from practice and demonstration is a progressive, attainable goodness, a spiritualization of thought, that can be judged in degree and in terms of a quality or capacity by the standard Jesus demonstrated on earth and established for all time at his ascension. As loyal students of Christian Science we are enjoined to follow Jesus' example.
It should be particularly noted that human progression per se is not something to be specifically worked for, nor should progress attained be accepted on the computation of past achievements; but rather gratitude should be expressed for the nearer approach, through demonstration, to the Christ-standard. This does not mean that the good already accomplished is not a reason for rejoicing and should not be highly valued, but the absolute reference at all times to the Christ is scientific and it does provide a protection from the temptation to measure progress by a human or relative comparison. It is also essential here to differentiate clearly between the changes in human consciousness as effects which should not be directly sought for, and our concept of the ideal that produces these changes. The student of Christian Science works from the basis of perfect God and perfect man, and although the result of his working may be expressed in an improved human belief and experience, yet the purpose of Christian Science is not primarily to change beliefs but to realize the true, scientific origin, infinite Mind and its expression, generic man. On page 259 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,—perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."
