On page 583 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, appears the definition of "Church," which reads in part, "The structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle." As Christian Scientists progress Spiritward and understand more of spiritual reality, they rejoice in a growing understanding of the true idea of Church as spiritual, spotless, and above reproach. They rejoice also in the privilege of demonstrating within their human organization the government of divine Mind, Love. They experience great joy in loving each other and in striving to heal each other's human trespasses and frailties.
In striving to carry out the admonition of the great Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Romans (Rom. 12:10), "Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another," they endeavor to accept man's spiritual selfhood as the only true selfhood of everyone and to reject as unreal the mortal sense of selfhood. This Christ-ideal is so lifted up in their thinking that belief in material personality begins to give way before a better understanding of man's genuine selfhood. And so they can say, as did Abram to Lot (Gen. 13:8, 9): "Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee ... for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? ... If thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right."
May not "the whole land" signify abundant opportunity for each individual member of the church to express his identity without crowding or conflicting with any other? Under God's government each idea of Mind has its right place. No individual can conflict with another, but all work together in harmony to glorify God. In working towards the achievement of a higher understanding of this ideal state, the Christian Scientist finds that the habitual striving to practice the graces of Spirit is a big step in the right direction. Such practice is not always easy and requires constant alertness. In his effort to overcome his human sense of self, he sometimes falls short of his mark. But in this, as in all else, practice makes perfect. As he learns in increasing degree to view impersonally and with charity all mortal failings, his own or another's, and through a higher sense of the Christ-idea to forgive every wrong intent, he brings a blessing to all concerned.
