"A Sinner can receive no encouragement from the fact that Science demonstrates the unreality of evil," writes the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science; "for," she continues, "the sinner would make a reality of sin,—would make that real which is unreal, and thus heap up 'wrath against the day of wrath.' "
In the foregoing words from page 339 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mary Baker Eddy warns her readers in effect that the deceitfulness of material sense would argue that mortals do not need to handle error; that they can do no wrong, because there is no evil; and that they do not need to work out their salvation, because man is already the image and likeness of God, hence in no need of salvation. Our Leader knew that these truth-distorting, morals-perverting, character-crippling suggestions, unless uncompromisingly dealt with, could lead the unwary into concluding that they can indulge with impunity the so-called pleasures of material sense, whatever their particular appeal may be.
However, the consecrated student knows that Christian Science comes to dispel instead of perpetuate the dream of existence apart from Spirit. He knows that Christian Science comes to show mankind both wherein it has been enslaved and whereby it may find its freedom. The disciple John presents the tragically unreal predicament of all mortals, and their need of being saved from it, where he writes, "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us."
