Christian love is synonymous with that which expresses power, that which has the ability and the intelligence to exist unharmed, without fear of any supposed attack upon its existence. Does anyone believe that an individual or a nation practicing Christian love is at a disadvantage when coming in contact with an individual or a nation not practicing it? Surely there is nothing in the teachings of Christ Jesus to support the view that a Christian surrenders all weapons and serves his God at the price of remaining off guard against unscrupulous and malicious evil. Indeed, any degree of scrutiny of Christ Jesus' promises to his followers shows that a true Christian has every reason for knowing that he is unbeatably armed against anything that may seem to threaten his security.
For instance, the master Christian, after assuring his disciples of their power over all aspects of evil, declared to them unequivocally (Luke 10:19), "Nothing shall by any means hurt you." Whence, then, fear of any sort? Fear is unbecoming to a Christian, and of course it is unreasonable. When fear seems to be entertained by anyone, it can only indicate that the one entertaining it is unacquainted with the true import of Christianity and is severely in need of what true Christianity can give him.
Credit for clarifying in this age the meaning of Christian love in terms of invincible power, instead of sentimentality and softness, belongs to Christian Science. This Science is the Comforter predicted by Christ Jesus and discovered in this age by an outstandingly spiritually-minded woman, Mary Baker Eddy. Referring to the word love, Mrs. Eddy declares (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 250): "No word is more misconstrued; no sentiment less understood. The divine significance of Love is distorted into human qualities, which in their human abandon become jealousy and hate."
