The establishment of our identity is at times a matter of considerable importance. In proof of our right to an inheritance, in vindication of innocence, or in crossing the border of another country, it is necessary that we prove beyond doubt who we are. This is to view the matter from a human standpoint. Spiritually to establish our identity is at all times a matter of supreme moment. What is this true identity? A definition of the word is "absolute sameness." Man, made in God's image, is identical with Him in substance. Mrs. Eddy beautifully expresses this in Science and Health (p. 361:) "As a drop of water is one with the ocean, a ray of light one with the sun, even so God and man, Father and son, are one in being." This is our true identity. It is not a mortal personality governed by the material senses, but an individual spiritual selfhood, reflecting the infinity of Life, Truth, Love, intelligence, power.
In recognizing man as spiritual and not material, we lose nothing except the belief that a supposititious mortal personality is the real man. We gain, on the other hand, the glad assurance of our perfect immortal existence. The spiritual man is seen to be unchangeable, unassailable, because he is inseparable from, and in a degree identical with, the creator whom he reflects. Christian Science teaches us that Mind, God, forms all identities, and that they are ideas of Spirit. They are therefore apparent as the expression of Mind, and are never discernible through the material senses. What limitless abilities, intelligence, power, may be looked for and found in man! How earnestly we should strive to comprehend this wonderful spiritual fact, seeking to discern not alone in ourselves, but in all men, the reflection of the divine character!
In order to see our fellow man as he is, we must not dwell upon, and must indeed mentally unsee, the little faults which, humanly speaking, seem often only too evident. Anger, discontent, selfishness, dishonesty, disorder, and the like are quite obviously not spiritual qualities nor God-created, neither being real nor belonging to the sons of God. Where and how, we may ask, do these faults originate? Christ Jesus said, "Out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders." And if we see what Mrs. Eddy, the Discoverer of Christian Science, has to say about the "heart," we shall find that she defines it as "mortal feelings, motives, affections, joys, and sorrows" (Science and Health, p. 587)
