Christian Science is not a religion which prepares one merely for a future state of existence; it is a system of thought which is adequate to meet every human need, adequate for the working out of the full salvation of the individual and of the whole human race. It is thus thoroughtly practical. Because of its practicality, Christian Science might be contrasted with certain prevalent religious views. For example, we find those who think of Christianity as calling for moral cleansing but not for physical healing, who rightly regard a high moral standard of life as a demand upon every Christian, but at the same time believe that God actually sends sickness upon mankind. They may hold strongly to the conviction that God lends His gracious aid in the cleansing of the sinner, but they as firmly believe that His divine assistance may not be directly invoked in the healing of disease.
Christian Science does not limit the power of God. It declares that He is ever available and ever willing to deliver men from whatever ill may seem to afflict them; that He can raise them from the bed of sickness as readily as He can take them from the pit of sin. It teaches that they can understand God and His law with such certainty as to be able to apply that law, not only in the overcoming of sin and the healing of disease, but to every other human difficulty, every other human problem, as well. Christian Scientists would feel that their religion was not fulfilling their expectations if it were unequal to meeting these demands. They would feel that something was lacking in their understanding of God and His law, that something was lacking in their understanding of His relationship with His creation, if they were uncertain as to whether their religion was able to meet every righteous demand that might be made upon it.
Now the practicality of Christian Science is dependent upon the knowledge of God and His creation, which it imparts to every sincere student. God, as the Bible and Christian Science affirm, is Love. And since He is infinite, His love must be omnipresent—everywhere present, or universal. God must therefore be altogether impartial, even as Mrs. Eddy writes on page 13 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures": "Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals." Then, how can anyone with an understanding of God as infinite Love believe that His power is limited in any direction? How can anyone believe that He can destroy sin but not disease? How can anyone believe that He cannot empower mankind to solve any and every problem in human experience? Christian Science insists on the fact that since God is Love His "hand is not shortened, that it cannot save."
