The original term "citizen" denotes a person endowed with certain rights, privileges, and protection, as a native or naturalized resident of a state or country. It also denotes a member of a free, self-governing people. Then, as a thinking individual, the rights and privileges one has as a citizen are unfolding a larger sense of duty and responsibility to the community, state, or country in which he lives. Contrary to the argument of the human mind at times, these rights, privileges, and protection are in evidence to him whose vision rises above a limited view restricted by certain lines or boundaries.
In so far as the human mind is willing to see the rights and privileges from a boundless viewpoint, and is willing that these endowments should unfold, it will be seen that the rights and privileges are infinite in variety of opportunity, and truly, then, the individual also sees the protection in the light of intelligent thinking and reasoning; therefore he is grateful to know that there is no limit to the possibilities of the activity of good in which he may engage. The right understanding of citizen will be manifest in good citizenship. This citizenship will be expressed through individual service to the community, in those activities that stand for and promote the cause of good government, in that which shows the value of being a member of a free, self-governing people. Mrs. Eddy says in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 106), "Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love."
We read in Ephesians, "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God." As one begins to learn the truth about God and man in Christian Science, the fellowship in the household of God becomes apparent in the knowledge of God, and of man in His image and likeness.
