THE standard necessary for progress in Christian Science was established centuries ago by the master Christian, Christ Jesus. In life-practice thought must achieve purity, because it is the only passport to perfection, to spiritual living, harmony, health, and permanent peace. In the consciousness of every student the battle must be fought and won that destroys belief in the reality of imperfection and of all unlike God.
Without perfection there could be no invariable Principle, no reality; and to build securely we must seek and find God, in whom there is no discord or disease, but all is perfect and eternally harmonious. In Christian Science the truth is established that the universe, including man, is the reflection of God, who is Mind, infinite Spirit, divine Love. The basis of all reality, as revealed in the Scriptures, acknowledges only God to be real and unchangeable. Jesus relied upon God, good, as the only power or intelligence governing man; and he said, "Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect."
There should be no misunderstanding of this declaration of Principle; and it must be the rule of our life, if we are to progress toward reality and the blessings of Spirit. With this high ideal our Master healed the sick, reformed the sinner, and triumphed over every belief of evil and discord. He knew no other sense of life than God and His perfect, ever present creation. His eyes were open only for the good and pure, the manifestation of "God with us;" and because he maintained this high standard it was impossible for him to be deceived by the claims of evil. Sustained by the truth, Jesus went about doing good and awakening others from the dream of mortal sense to their real selfhood as the reflection of Spirit, not matter; and he steadfastly refused to recognize an opposite to God, good. His invariable reply to every evil suggestion was a denial of its verity and an affirmation of the allness of good. He had no words of compromise for a lie masquerading as reality. He knew only health and harmony as actual; and, consequently, sin and sickness to him were unreal and untrue. The radiant light of perfection, reflected by Christ Jesus, insured that only good abide in his consciousness. It was no task for him to say, "Peace, be still," to the turbulent waves of mortal belief, knowing as he did the unreality of the mirage. Sickness to him could have no relation to real manhood, with the perfect God and His likeness ever before his view as the only reality of existence. From whence could imperfection and discord come, since God was All and had created all?
