Through obedience to divine law and order we learn to manifest those qualities that emanate from God, the Father, and to express health, assurance, initiative, and true independence in the building of strength of character. "You cannot build character and courage by taking away a man's initiative and independence; you cannot help men permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves." This observation by a contemporary writer has corroboration in the Scriptures and in the teachings of Christian Science, where reliance on one Father-Mother God for true character building is stressed, rather than dependence on the opinions of human beings. Although a wise teacher and counselor may give helpful advice, it is axiomatic that if we are to profit by it we must practice the wisdom presented.
Jesus emphasized the importance of building on the Rock, Christ, Truth. To do so is to build solidly, unerringly, and permanently. He built with such understanding that even the winds and waves obeyed him and every form of human affliction vanished before the spiritual power he understood so well.
Those who understand the perfection of true being and have learned to utilize divine law as taught by Christ Jesus find the sure basis for health, happiness, and prosperity. The work of the Christian Scientist, however, is to clear away all that is unsound in mortal thinking that the real man, who is the expression of God's being, may appear. As we demonstrate divine qualities we bring this man to light, the man who always has been and who always will be the son of God, perfect and immortal. As we strive toward this ideal we find that a loving Father is ever at our side, ready at all times to guide us in our endeavor to build in a higher, more enduring, more satisfying way than can be done by human methods.
