In these perilous and turbulent times it is well to realize that the individual has an invulnerable and impregnable armor available, which the assaults of evil cannot penetrate. Through the study of Christian Science we can prove this. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mary Baker Eddy states (p. 571): "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity."
The understanding of "the one divinity" brings to us the realization of the omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence of the one Supreme Being. This sacred understanding evidences the Supreme Being as divine Love, expressing itself through man and the universe. It is the celestial wisdom which portrays man activated by divine Mind and governed by divine Principle at all times and under all circumstances.
The true panoply with which God supplies us is more than a shield of human affection and human goodness, which all too often falls before the onslaught of fear. It is the power of divine Principle, safeguarding its idea through its own all-inclusiveness. It is the protection of divine Mind, utilizing its own infinite intelligence. This panoply is the shield of Truth. It is the breastplate of the Almighty, preserving His creation with the righteousness of Spirit. And it is the all-embracing arm of divine Love, holding its beloved in the completeness of eternal Life. This is the panoply with which man is clad.
When we realize what the true panoply is, we learn to stand with this armor on, eager and alert, not overcome by the mesmerism of mortal mind's beliefs. In the sixth chapter of his letter to the Ephesians, the Apostle Paul described the garment of protection and the necessity for its use. He said (verse 13), "Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." He depicted "the whole armour of God" as including "the breastplate of righteousness, ...the shield of faith, ...the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." With this armor on we are able to stand.
Jesus, our Way-shower, revealed the perfect armor. He presented man's oneness, or unity, with the Father, with divine Life. His clear comprehension of the divine fact, "I and my Father are one" (John 10:30), enabled him to meet and conquer the phases of error presented to human consciousness. His pure understanding of his at-one-ment with divine Love and his unadulterated stand for perfection of God and man in His image made it possible for him to face the attacks of error without fear. With his absolute recognition that "as the Father hath life in himself; so hath he given to the Son to have life in himself" (John 5:26) he overcame death both for himself and for others. Jesus demonstrated the value of this divine armor, not only to those of his own time, but for all eternity. Had he not seen the value of it in everyday life, his earthly career would be of little use today. How did he cope with the problem of minds many? How did he maintain his peace amid the seeming turmoil? The answer to these questions can be found through the study of the Gospels in the light of Christian Science, as revealed in our Leader's writings. The light of Truth thrown on the message of the Gospels removes the darkness of false theology and reveals Jesus as the perfect example of how to demonstrate true, scientific activity within all walks of daily life.
Mrs. Eddy made much use of the pattern shown by the Master, Christ Jesus. As we follow her example of obeying Jesus' precepts, we find that obedience is the steppingstone to a full and complete use of our spiritual armor. Without it we cannot expect to gain the fruitage we so rightfully desire, nor can we demonstrate the freedom which is native to man, "clad in the panoply of Love."
This obedience does not mean doing the bidding of mortal mind. Nor is it loyalty and devotion to personal sense. Obedience is the application in daily living of our understanding of divine law. Clad in "the whole armour of God," we can expect to achieve victory over every phase of human hatred. With this armor on, we can conquer sin, disease, and death; and the salvation of divine Love will be manifested in our complete regeneration and restoration.
Though error seems to be prevalent these days, one need not be frightened. One must recognize that in his true identity as the son of God he is chosen and anointed with the glories of Soul, which are indestructible and permanent. When one recognizes this anointing of God, he can firmly grasp the sword of Truth, pierce each thought that claims its origin in Spirit's opposite, and eliminate from consciousness all belief that false, mortal mentality has power, is anywhere, or is doing something. Today offers plenty of opportunity to use the sword of Truth, for the temptation to believe in the rampant activity of evil is great. With armor on, one can expect the shortening of these troublesome days.
The end of these days does not mean the end of the world, but rather the restoration of all good. Throughout the Bible appears the promise of this restoration. In the book of Joel we read these words (2:25): "I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten." And Jesus said (Matt. 17: 11), "Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things." These illustrations surely do not imply that we are to be deprived of the good things of life. Rather, they indicate that we can expect a fuller sense of the abundance of good here and now. Mrs. Eddy's definition of "Elias" in the Glossary of Science and Health is worth noting in this connection (p. 585): "Prophecy; spiritual evidence opposed to material sense; Christian Science, with which can be discerned the spiritual fact of whatever the material senses behold; the basis of immortality."
In the midst of these challenging days, one can learn to make use of the Bible promises and to demonstrate the spiritual facts of existence by reversing the material testimony and holding fast to the truth. This restoring process is the practice of Christian Science in life's laboratory, the application of the things one learns concerning God and man. The aim of one's practice should be the restoration of all things in their perfect state. When this is accomplished, the millennium will be here, and,
"Man, in the sunshine of the world's new spring, Shall walk transparent, like some holy thing!"
It is our joyous privilege to hasten that day by walking our daily path clad in the armor of divinity.
