Christian Science is revealing to human consciousness the fact that good is ever present and illimitable. Thus it is opening to all mankind the way out of limitation. This Science uncovers limitation, not as an untoward human circumstance, a plight of the physical body, obstructed business activities, or circumscribed human events, but as a mistaken sense, a failure to perceive the infinitude of good. The outward manifestation of cramped environment and curtailed opportunity is but the result of ignorance of God and of man's fullness and completeness as His reflection. Limitation, thus exposed, must vanish before progressive spiritual enlightenment with its ever-increasing proofs of the power and presence of good.
In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 594) Mary Baker Eddy defines "serpent" in part as "the first lie of limitation." The serpent typifies the subtlety and falsity of mortal mind. Considered as a lie of the serpent, limitation is seen as nothing more than a false, persuasive argument of mortal mind. Dispossessed of any basis in fact, limitation may be rejected as unreal, but if given credence it would have one believe that man is reduced to dependence on inconstant materiality, subject to loss of health, insufficient strength, a pinched purse, a barren life, and failure. Obviously this could not be true of man, who, as the emanation of infinite Love, reflects the unlimited health, intelligence, affluence, and power of Love.
The definition of man found on page 591 of Science and Health reads, "The compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind." In order to be "the full representation of Mind," man must embody and express every quality of Mind. In man's true status as the reflection of perfect Mind, not one of Mind's qualities is ever in any degree depleted, distorted, imperfect, or missing, but each of these qualities remains complete, perfect, and present.
