CONTRASTING terms often serve to clarify views. There is no uncertainty in the Word of God, as voiced by Isaiah, "I the Lord speak righteousness, I declare things that are right." Mind and its ideas are knowable. In Christian Science thoughts are classified according to their origin, human or divine. In "the scientific statement of being" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 468) Mrs. Eddy supplies a perfect rule for sifting the precious, or spiritual, from the vile, or material. This way of wisdom was revealed to her pure consciousness, which discerned that good and evil do not dwell together; that God, good, is All, and that there is none beside Him. The immediate effect of establishing such a line of demarcation is to bring all human concepts to the judgment of Truth, wherein only those thoughts that serve God are preserved. Love is a consuming fire to that which does not serve Him.
Commands of divine Mind, such as, "Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself," obeyed, put to flight a host of selfish beliefs. Those who would understand good aright hold fast to thoughts that bear fruit in health and morals. Afflictions and mental darkness come from ignorance and self-deception, whereas harmonious living and peace bear witness to a present knowledge of Truth.
Righteousness accords with divine order and law. It does not vary in its nature and activity; it is free from error, is godly, pure, just—a witness to the true source of being. In human relations righteousness is recognized as honesty, trustworthiness, integrity of character and conduct, temperance, virtue. Social stability and universal welfare are assured by such qualities. Christianization means Godlikeness asserting its supremacy over idolatries and evils.
