SPIRITUAL man, God's perfect image and likeness, is forever free, intelligent, active, manifesting his harmonious sonship with the Father. As students of Christian Science study the Bible and the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, and through constant correction of thought free themselves from depressing, unreal mortal beliefs, false arguments, and apprehensions, consciously recognizing the fact that man dwells permanently in eternal Spirit, their thinking unfolds to the point of rational reliance on God. They are thus enabled to resist the suggestions of mortal mind which would prevent their lawful progress and realization of God's boundless affluence.
Our Leader says (Science and Health, p. 406), "Resist evil—error of every sort—and it will flee from you." She also says (ibid., p. 223): "Spiritual rationality and free thought accompany approaching Science, and cannot be put down. They will emancipate humanity, and supplant unscientific means and so-called laws." How important it is, then, for us, when desiring emancipation from unreal errors, not to yield to irrational fear, panic, discouragement, or any other of the many forms of erroneous mental argument.
All the misery in the world results from incorrect thinking. All suffering and bondage, of whatever character, is attributable to lack of the conscious realization that God is all Life, all Truth, all Love; that He is the only cause and creator, intelligence, and preserver of man, the All-in-all, ever affording limitless succor and healing for every ill. Because God fills all space He is now and ever our refuge, strength, and comfort, in whatever distress or predicament we may find ourselves.
Christ Jesus, rightly regarded as the greatest teacher of all time, practiced "spiritual rationality." His whole mission and untiring, unselfish endeavor, according to the gospel record, was to teach and demonstrate man's oneness with God, and the operation of His immutable law available in everyday experience. He proved his teachings by example. Again and again he demonstrated the immediate availability of true independence, the abundance of real substance, meeting human needs, healing the sinful, sick, and destitute, and raising the dead. He heralded the fact that all his demonstrations were achieved through his understanding of the supremacy of Spirit, divine Principle. With assurance he declared, "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do."
As Christian Scientists we should ask ourselves: Are we really aspiring and yearning to do the works—the greater works—which Jesus declared we should do? Are we patiently and unwaveringly improving each hour in right thinking? Are we progressing in the gaining of that Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," which enables us to discern the mental error to be destroyed? Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 233): "Ye who can discern the face of the sky,—the sign material,—how much more should ye discern the sign mental, and compass the destruction of sin and sickness by overcoming the thoughts which produce them, and by understanding the spiritual idea which corrects and destroys them."
This discernment of "the sign mental" destroys the shadows of ignorance; and understanding lifts human thought above the belief of sentient matter. By replacing erroneous thinking with true thinking mortals awaken to the fact that, even though environed by material affluence, they may be in mental penury, if they lack spiritual illumination and rational knowledge of real substance. To perceive this truth inspires one to enter immediately the secret corridors of his own consciousness, and commence at once to discipline his thinking by asking himself: Am I living up to my highest understanding of what is good and true? Am I indulging in idle thought and criticism? Do I harbor resentment? What am I doing to help establish the brotherhood of man? Am I hourly striving to lessen iniquity in my own thinking? Am I daily knowing man as perfect—above sin and frailty? Am I utilizing every opportunity to give a cup of cold water in Truth's name? Do I "compass the destruction of sin and sickness by overcoming the thoughts which produce them"? By this method of interrogation the tares of wrong thinking are uprooted, and human affairs and manner of living improved.
The feverish, troubled thoughts which once were occupied in rebellion or brooding, seeking in temporal, material means the solution of problems of lack, sickness, and sorrow, are transformed through the operation of divine law, unfolding new horizons, new estimates, new incentives, thereby demonstrating boundless beneficence, the real substance of God's all-wise, emancipating love and care.
However tangled and involved a problem, however tormenting disease, business difficulties, financial distress, turmoil, and strife may appear, to the faithful seeker of Truth the torch of Christian Science will disclose the impediment of wrong thoughts and remove them, in order that the all-wise, guiding voice of the loving Father may be heard. Constant obedience to His tender voice will lead every prodigal from the husks of sore tribulation to spiritual conquests, where each may enjoy the glories of true, inexhaustible substance, the rightful heritage and sovereignty of the sons of God.
Students of Christian Science are hourly proving the allness of God, good. As we hearken and are obedient to the Scriptural admonition, "Get wisdom, get understanding," we shall be able to lift ourselves and others out of the irrational thinking, talking, and acting of the "hard times" which counterfeit the eternal good times in the reign of Spirit. What a glorious opportunity awaits us generously and lovingly to share with those athirst for hope our knowledge of the exhilarating springs of spiritual truth!
