What is identity? For the answer to this question, Christian Scientists turn to the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy. On page 477 our Leader says, "Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love." Identity then is the perfect expression of God. It is wholly spiritual, wholly independent of matter. Its forms are infinite in number, distinct in individuality. The daintiness of a flower, the majesty of a mountain, the beauty of a sunset, the soaring flight of a bird, the innocence of a child, illustrate the "multifarious forms" of identity reflecting the Life, substance, and intelligence of the living Principle, Love.
And what of man's identity? According to the first chapter of Genesis, man is the exact likeness of God. His identity is the representation of the divine Mind; it is spiritual consciousness. Every quality and attribute of God is reflected in this conscious identity. All real form and structure correspond to the form and structure of Truth; faculty, strength, and vitality manifest the intelligence and activity of Spirit, Soul; health and harmony express the glory and perfection of Life. This identity cannot be found in matter or in material sense, for it is not corporeal or finite. It is spiritual and infinite and can be found only in the realm of pure reality. This is man's only identity.
Recognizing man as the son of God, Jesus declared his identity to be the reflection of God. He said (John 5:19, 20): "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. For the Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth." Jesus demonstrated the Christ-consciousness, the true idea which dispels the illusions of sin and disease from human thought. This recognition healed the sick and reformed the sinner. Jesus' understanding of his true being as the reflection of the living Principle, Love, made possible his resurrection and ascension, which give unquestionable and glorious proofs of the imperishable nature and continuity of man's identity.
