Students of Christian Science regard their obligations not as burdens, but as opportunities to demonstrate Christian Science. They recognize that each problem presents an opportunity for spiritual unfoldment Knowing that the infinite resources of divine Mind are ever present, they confidently expect to discern the right ideas which will enable them to fulfill their moral, financial, and spiritual obligations.
Accurate thinking is necessary in the solution of any problem. Christianly scientific reasoning is purely spiritual, unadulterated by the sophistries of mortal mind, and divinely inspired. It is based upon the substantial foundation of Mary Baker Eddy's discovery that the one and only man, the image and likeness of God, good, is spiritual and perfect now and always. He has never fallen from perfection, regardless of what mortal belief or sense testimony may declare. Consequently, man does not need healing, saving, or improvement. Students of Christian Science demonstrate this truth practically in human experience.
The truth about man's present perfection is clearly stated by Mrs. Eddy in the following passage from the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 200): "The great truth in the Science of being, that the real man was. is, and ever shall be perfect, is incontrovertible; for if man is the image, reflection, of God, he is neither inverted nor subverted, but upright and Godlike." This eternal now of divine perfection is not a period of time sandwiched between an uncertain, limited past and future. Eternity is a state of consciousness; it is the realm of divine Mind, continuous in being.
