OBEDIENCE to spiritual law is a sure refuge for mankind from the penalties inflicted by submission to a false, material sense of law. In like manner, to comply with righteous human codes saves the individual from the penalties inflicted on transgressors. "If men would bring to bear upon the study of the Science of Mind half the faith they bestow upon the so-called pains and pleasures of material sense, they would not go on from bad to worse, until disciplined by the prison and the scaffold; but the whole human family would be redeemed through the merits of Christ,—through the perception and acceptance of Truth" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mrs. Eddy, p. 202).
The study of Christian Science discloses the fact that real law is of God, and that the spiritual harmony obtained by complete obedience to law is always experienced by spiritual man. Because of his loyalty to the law of Spirit man is ever healthy, joyous, supplied with all good. He is continually shielded from evil, because God, Spirit, being infinite good, there is neither place nor opportunity for so-called evil. He remains exactly as God created him—at the point of complete harmony and perfection. This true state of being cannot be destroyed or modified, because it is the expression of Him "with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning."
There is apparent in the world today a conflict between opposing forces, the demand for law enforcement on one side and, on the other, the claim that obedience should be rendered only to those laws which meet with personal approval. This opposition arises from a false concept of law, its source, and the benefits to be derived from its observance. Strangely enough, the argument of error apes the facts shown by the proponents of law and order, by claiming that active or passive resistance to law will result in individual good and greater freedom. It must be evident that two such opposite modes of conduct cannot possibly both be correct.
Mortals frequently entertain the disastrous belief that the law of Spirit can be broken, ignorantly or even maliciously. Violation of any law usually arises from the belief that good may be attained through disobedience. Awakening to the truth of being brings loving obedience in place of resistance to Truth; health in place of disease; consciousness of safety in place of fear; abundance in place of a sense of lack. The dependable citizen is that one who obeys the laws of his country, not through fear of punishment, but because of his recognition of the good effect law-abiding has on the general welfare.
The Scriptures reveal the need not only of compliance with the law of the land, but of servants' obeying their masters. They also show the necessity of living up to the highest possible sense of right. This is well expressed in the sixth chapter of Romans: "Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?"
Mrs. Eddy aptly states on page 104 of "Miscellaneous Writings": "In obedience to the divine nature, man's individuality reflects the divine law and order of being. How shall we reach our true selves? Through Love." The spiritual state of safety through our loving loyalty to divine law, expressed humanly by upholding law and order, is attainable now. As this understanding unfolds, we may learn through Christian Science the true nature of God, Love, and offer happy submission to the divine will. Jesus was more fully obedient to God than any other seeker of spiritual truth in the world's history, and his work was correspondingly superior. He proved the value of loyalty to Truth by nullifying all material so-called laws with the law of Spirit, the only true mode of nullification. He prophesied of his followers, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also;" and this constitutes a definite promise of the practicability of metaphysical demonstration.
Christian Scientists gladly obey the law of God in proportion to their understanding of it. They are willingly subject to the By-Laws of The Mother Church as given in its Manual. They yield ready compliance to the laws of the land in which they reside, even though these mandates may not fully accord with their sense of justice. This they do, knowing that as the true sense of law unfolds in individual thought, and is expressed by demonstration, the laws of the nation will in due course become more spiritual, and so follow more closely the divine pattern. A clear trust in the higher law of Spirit and implicit loyalty to it will inevitably lead on to the destruction of any seeming effect of injustice, coercion, or maladministration. Christian Scientists may—and do—work to avoid the passage, and to obtain the repeal, of laws which are inimical to religious freedom, or which hamper the liberty to work out one's own salvation; yet if such a law were passed it would be obeyed while it remained on the statute books. Our Leader says: "The Constitution of the United States does not provide that materia medica shall make laws to regulate man's religion; rather does it imply that religion shall permeate our laws. Mankind will be God-governed in proportion as God's government becomes apparent, the Golden Rule utilized, and the rights of man and the liberty of conscience held sacred" (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 222).
The sum of all law, obedience to which brings the greatest possible protection, was expressed by Jesus in the command to "love one another." Though he fearlessly exposed and denounced evil in every form, this was always done with love, for the purpose of healing and purifying. Evil had no reality to him; consequently, there was no temptation to be either angry with or fearful of it. The consistent loving-kindness of his character protected him in every trial. It is recorded in the Gospel of Luke that following his rebuke of their skepticism the people in the synagogue at Nazareth "were filled with wrath . . . and led him unto the brow of the hill whereon their city was built, that they might cast him down headlong." This destructive desire was nullified by the love in our Master's thought as, undismayed by the apparent tumult of error, he quietly walked away from the supposed danger and continued the work of demonstrating his Father's business. Error could not cast love down; mortal belief could not hold the truth of being in its grasp.
What a refuge for the business man and his employees from dishonesty, malice, indifference, and unkindness is to be found in carrying into action the command to "love one another"! Denying the evidence of the senses, the laborer can work honestly and joyously, knowing that from the standpoint of perfect God and perfect man, his employer should be appreciative and honorable, quick to recognize and reward worthy activity. They will see each other through love as children of God between whom there can be no conflict of interest or desire.
This attitude established, nations would then need no forts, armed navies, or great armies. Policemen would have no need for weapons to enforce the law, because instant obedience would follow their explanation to an unwitting transgressor. What a wonderful improvement in world conditions would duly follow general observance of the Golden Rule!
Such a state of affairs is not impossible. Indeed, something of this nature must be brought out before the Scriptural prophecies that "the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid," and that "nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more," can be fulfilled. Human law is spiritualized and made to express the actual or divine code in the exact degree that the individuals comprising a nation gain and put into practice an understanding of the divine nature. This understanding will abolish unjust and coercive statutes enacted by fear and privilege-seeking, and bring the freedom which observance of the law of Love always confers. A start toward this goal must be made by the individual.
Students of Christian Science are already reaping the result of obedience to God's law. Thousands of such are being healed, the sorrowing comforted, and the discouraged invigorated. To trust God banishes discouragement; to seek His guidance prevents failure and insures success; to discover and demonstrate the facts about spiritual supply delivers from poverty; to understand that man reflects true harmony brings health; to know and obey divine Love destroys hatred, fear, and doubt. To learn the truth about Life saves from death; to let Truth unfold to receptive thought avoids error; to understand God brings good into our experience. What more could be desired? To learn God's law as revealed in the Bible, and to obey it, is to obtain refuge from evil and to experience the perfection of real being. "Truth is revealed," Mrs. Eddy declares (Science and Health, p. 174). "It needs only to be practised."
