When spiritual truth, as revealed in Christian Science, begins to illumine the thought and experience of one who is receptive, he comes gradually into a realization of Paul's assurance (II Cor. 5:17), "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." One may be surprised at the changes this light makes in his thinking, hence also in his activities, changes which once would have seemed impossible.
At times, however, he may not clearly see how to apply this new-found spiritual truth in his relations to society. On the one hand, there are the requirements of divine Mind —the demands of the Ten Commandments and the sublime instructions of the Sermon on the Mount, all of which he wishes to obey. On the other hand, there are the responsibilities of everyday life—his obligations as a citizen and member of human society—which he does not wish to neglect. Therefore he may at times find it difficult to discern with certainty the often faint line of demarcation between good and evil, right and wrong.
In carrying out his civic duties it is helpful to a Christian Scientist to keep constantly in mind the illuminating example of the way our Master carried out his duties as a citizen. There is nothing in the records of Jesus' earthly life, as handed down to us in the four Gospels, which would indicate that in his healing and teaching he ever advised anyone to disregard rightful human obligations, to have any part in negligence, disorders, or sabotage, or that he recommended forceful opposition to the authorities.
