On page 410 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy writes: "The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. ... He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science."
This "definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science" is a declaration of freedom for those enslaved by fear, for it points the way of sure release from that which has held mankind in bondage and suffering since Adam, the so-called mortal man made from the dust of the ground, uttered the first statement of fear when he heard the voice of God in the garden, and said, "I was afraid." Although Christ Jesus came to teach and to prove that God is Spirit, and that in love for His children He created nothing for them to fear, mankind has always been afraid of something.
One subtle phase of wrong thinking is the belief in personal enemies, accompanied by fear of what persons might do. Do we believe another is hating us? Perhaps it is we who are hating; so let us love more. Spiritual love is our sure remedy and protection, for we learn in Christian Science that God's children cannot hate, injure, destroy, or deprive one another of health, justice, opportunity, position, supply, or any good. Christ Jesus said, "A man's foes shall be they of his own household." The thoughts we mistakenly entertain of fear, doubt, hatred, sin, sickness, lack, are foes to peace. As we replace such thought with right concepts of God and man, there will be no place in our consciousness for enmity or fear of a personal enemy.
