Recognizing that true law is other than man-made, Paul said, "For we know that the law is spiritual." Naturally, he was not referring to rules of order or conduct made by those in authority by which the governed consent to be governed. These rules or laws are continually going through a state of change or forgetfulness, as new conditions arise. Rightly viewed, all human law is but a choice of a lesser evil, correct under present development, but, because of continual change, without a fixed standard. Truly, it is a seeking for a better condition of living, whereby justice and equity may abound to all; yet, because dissatisfaction compels many improvements, it is evident that this standard has not been reached. All such law has been or will be changed as a higher sense of right relationship among men is recognized. Mrs. Eddy, in "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 283), writes of this endeavor, "Human law is right only as it patterns the divine."
To reach more quickly this desired result we must adopt the absolute Science of divine law to correct the human concept of law. Human law is something we adopt and drop by common consent. Absolute, infinite, divine law is the regular sequence by which real phenomena or effects follow cause naturally and necessarily, as four must answer the addition of two and two. This law we do not make, but we can adopt it into our experiences. God's law, scientifically seen, is not miraculous but divinely natural. Its working is not an accident, but a necessary requisite of its being. It cannot be made by men, changed, added to, or taken from; neither can it be annulled. Spiritual law is a divine edict controlling man, but not controlled by him. Until, through progress, this is recognized, man-made laws must go their changing ways. An Oriental adage says, "Laws are made to be broken,—else why are they made?" Such a conception is only a recognition of the temporality and fallacy of the laws of men and of the impossibility of governing themselves rightly by human laws. This does not mean that we must first be obedient unto Caesar before obedience to God can be established.
There is only one real law, God's law; and that is fixed and without change. If it were possible to change or violate His law, then it would be possible to change or defy Him. His law governs reality; and it is always the same, and ever operating in the same way. The important thing that interests us is the question of the operation of God's law in our lives. Christian Science shows that this does occur, and explains why it must occur. But there is no change in the operation of law to fit human demands, though there comes about a change through human progress to fit the divine order. As there is no change in the operation of law, neither is there any stoppage to its action. To disbelieve this will never change the fact, any more than to disbelieve the sun is shining if we do not see it. Human endeavor, concentration, will, force, or anxiety will never help this law to operate or make it cease. Divine law does operate in man because he is spiritual, and upheld by this law. To obtain its benefits now, we have to declare intelligently, with a pure purpose, the law of God, and live in obedience to it.
