WITH what rare simplicity is the profound fact stated in the first verse of the Bible, "In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth"! With equal profundity and simplicity Mrs. Eddy enlarges upon this statement on page 502 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," when she says, "This word beginning is employed to signify the only,— that is, the eternal verity and unity of God and man, including the universe." Correlating these two passages, we see that the first verse in Genesis is not the statement of an event that took place untold ages ago, but is the declaration of that which, without beginning or end, forever is.
The healing significance of the truth contained in this verse will be more fully appreciated as it is realized that therein is stated a basic fact which, mentally discerned and accepted with finality, is the straight and narrow road to instantaneous recovery from discordant conditions. Does not Mrs. Eddy mean this when she states (ibid., p. 14):"Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual, — neither in nor of matter, — and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well"? The reason for many, if not all, delayed healings is failure to perceive and concede the fact of God's oneness and allness or, having perceived and conceded it, emphatically to stand by it.
Mortals are disposed to try to work from two standpoints, — one, that God is All; the other, that evil is also something real and tangible to be dealt with, — and then attempt to heal. Not so did Jesus! He refused to give even temporary credence to the arguments of error.
God, the one cause, defined Himself to Moses as "I AM THAT I AM." In her definition of "God" onpage 587 of Science and Health Mrs. Eddy makes use of this term "I am"; and in this connection, on page 258 of "Miscellaneous Writings," she further states, "The name, I am, indicated no personality that could be paralleled with it; but it did declare a mighty individuality, even the everlasting Father, as infinite consciousness, ever-presence, omnipotence; as all law, Life, Truth, and Love."
Man is generically and individually the expression of this infinite Mind, this "mighty individuality," and of nothing else. If, then, aught else seems to be expressing itself, there is always the glorious privilege of repudiating it with authority. On the other hand, if some spiritual quality seems lacking, we have the same privilege of claiming it with equal authority, because in reality every quality is a part of each one's true individuality. As this correct idea of man becomes established, there is less and less tendency to be harassed by false concepts; and one becomes less concerned in an effort to change another's nature than he is in correcting his own false concept of man. The acceptance of the divine facts and the repudiation of the false suggestion are of paramount importance. So, too, it is our attitude in meeting any situation that is of importance, and not primarily the circumstance itself. To one, difficult and sad incidents may appear "steps unto heaven;" to another, the same incident may seem entirely crushing.
A student of Christian Science who was very happy in a certain newly acquired position feared that she was threatened with the loss of it because another, who had formerly held it, was returning from the Orient, presumably to fill it again. Soon, however, she began to reverse every argument of error, and to realize that since every idea in God's universe is created to bless and never to injure, and since God's law, governing man, is a law of progress, any necessary step must be a progressive one. Soon the arrival date was anticipated with joy and thanksgiving. Needless to say, she kept her position, the newcomer being given another in the organization, and the two became fast friends, both being students of Christian Science. How different might have been the experience had fear, resentment, or antagonism been allowed to hold sway in thought!
The admission that belief in error is to be overcome in our own consciousness is not ground for discouragement, but encouragement. Were it actually in external conditions, it might seem beyond our control, but man has been endowed with divine understanding and dominion.
Consider for a moment how the understanding of God as "I AM" may be of value in correcting wrong mental attitudes or false concepts of being. All that is true or real should be stated as united to God, the "I AM"; while that which is unreal or untrue can never have this connection. Since "I AM" signifies "a mighty individuality, even the everlasting Father," man does not reflect anything that God is not, does not know anything that God does not sanction, and is not free to act in any way opposed to God's government. Hence, it can never be truly stated that man is sick, sad, or in need; while it is always possible to state with assurance that he is well, joyful, complete, perfect, as God's likeness. Because God is All, and man is forever like Him, man is eternally perfect, sinless, harmonious, free. To appropriate these facts is to put into effect a law in our behalf which is a sure refuge from discord of whatever name and nature; and this constitutes the way of Christian Science healing.
One of the common hindrances to healing is the tendency to indulge in desultory, deficient, and purposeless thinking. Such thinking is not capable of extricating us from difficulty, but, rather, may emphasize it. Redemptive thinking has certain necessary concomitants, such as precision, definiteness, vitality, and finality. The half-hearted admission of divine facts, followed by some contrary admission of error, constitutes the "house divided against itself." Healing comes from taking a determined and definite stand for that which is divinely true, and by the consistent and equally determined denial of that which is unlike good.
As we open consciousness to the truth, the right idea appears to us, bringing deliverance and comfort and healing. There is no discordant circumstance from which one may not be saved through knowing enough of the truth; and so, in the last analysis, all that is ever needed is the right idea in place of false belief. This right idea can have but one source — God. It can appear to us in but one way — the way of unfoldment or revelation; and it appears as thought is prepared to receive it. Let us be alert to recognize spiritual ideas, for through failure to apprehend and utilize the truth that comes to our consciousness we sometimes lengthen our own road to demonstration.
Man, governed by divine law, cannot fail; cannot be sick or sinful; cannot collapse or end. Individual man has his place in God's infinite plan; he has a definite function to perform, and no provision is made for aught but perfect achievement and attainment.
Man is not mortal, subject to limitations or dispositional traits which frustrate and defraud. Man, expressing the spiritual qualities of intelligence, wisdom, love, joy, freedom, harmony, never came forth from matter, nor was he ever a victim of mortal tendencies: God alone is his source. And so the Christian Scientist knows of a certainty that "in the beginning" — in the eternal verity of good — man and the universe are perfect and complete.
