IT is not putting it too strongly to say that the majority of men do not believe that God is in intimate relationship with them. The Supreme Being is not visible to material sight; no Word of His strikes the material ear—none of the physical senses gives any direct indication of His presence. Indeed, so far as the so-called material senses are concerned, God might not even exist. But believing in these senses as real, believing that they report truly to them, many have concluded that God is not a factor in their lives. To put it somewhat differently, many believe that God has little or no interest in their lives, that they are not known individually to Him, and that they are therefore left to work out their destiny without divine guidance or divine assistance.
It is a serious matter when men regard God in the way just stated, because to hold such a view means that they are depriving themselves of divine aid. Besides, such a way of thinking about God and themselves is wrong. What, then, is the right way? Is God apart from His creation, man? If not, what is the nature of the relationship between God and man? The question of the true relationship between God and man is most important, and Christian Science leaves the student in no doubt concerning it.
Christian Science teaches that God is infinite Mind, and that since He is Mind He expresses Himself through ideas. God's creation therefore consists of spiritual ideas. Consequently, man is God's idea. And as the idea of God, there never can be the least severance of man from his creator. The relationship between God and man, Mind and its idea, is thus indissoluble. Man is coexistent with God now, and man will ever be coexistent with God. The Scriptures refer to this relationship as that of Father to son or Father to child. Paul wrote to the Romans, "The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ."
