The study of Christian Science gives one a new basis from which to evaluate his accomplishments. It teaches one how he may improve his talents and make full use of his capacities by recognizing his true being as the son of God. Instead of depending upon mere human capabilities, one learns that the source of all good is God. Therefore one's ability and success are commensurate with his reliance upon God to supply all needs.
A businessman consulted a Christian Science practitioner; he was greatly disturbed because a promotion which he had assumed was coming to him had not materialized. It had been taken for granted by him and his fellow workers that he was the logical one to be given the position. This was the third time in his business experience that a place he had outlined for himself had not been given him, and he realized that he needed to correct his thinking.
After talking with him for a while, the practitioner saw that he had not really lost or been deprived of anything but the prestige which the new situation would have given him. He had a very fine position and received excellent remuneration. This had not been altered in any way. She asked him which he thought more important: how he stood with men or how he stood with God. His answer indicated that he was aware that his standing with God was the more important.
The practitioner explained that God does not know whether one is a street sweeper or a vice-president. He does not know a mortal man at all. He knows only His own spiritual likeness, and He recognizes only His own reflected qualities. A street sweeper may express more Godlike qualities than a vice-president. A position does not elevate one, but one's actions may demean a position.
The businessman considered these words for a few moments and then agreed that he had concerned himself more with what the world calls success than with spiritual development. He decided that from then on he would work toward advancing Spiritward instead of striving for mere material success or recognition.
Christ Jesus said (Matt. 6:33), "Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Mary Baker Eddy, speaking of the mental condition resulting from the baptism of the Holy Ghost, states in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 204): "By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human affairs. It brings with it wonderful foresight, wisdom, and power; it unselfs the mortal purpose, gives steadiness to resolve, and success to endeavor. Through the accession of spirituality, God, the divine Principle of Christian Science, literally governs the aims, ambition, and acts of the Scientist." When the businessman began to live the truth which he had learned through what seemed a disappointing experience, a complete regeneration took place. He gained peace of mind and dominion.
Too often in the hustle and bustle of everyday affairs the true values are lost to sight, and men and women concern themselves so diligently with material pursuits that things of the Spirit are almost entirely excluded. It is then that the material pursuits become wearisome, troublesome, and lacking in reward.
Nothing of lasting value or true compensation can be attained until one's mental attitude is changed from the desire to pursue material gain to a right sense of spiritual values. Jesus said (Matt. 16:26), "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" It requires consecration and persistence to hold thought in line with Spirit in the face of the constant demands of material existence.
God does not measure us by human standards. When Samuel was sent to choose a king from among the sons of Jesse, God said (I Sam. 16:7), "The Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart."
Integrity, diligence, energy, orderliness, harmony, alertness, and wisdom are qualities that are easily recognizable as aids to successful living. These qualities are the expression of God, whose synonyms are Truth, Soul, Spirit, Life, Mind, Love, Principle. Christian Science shows how one may learn to order his thinking so that he reflects more and more of the qualities of God and thus brings happiness, health, and reward into his present experience.
The Bible declares that man was made in the image and likeness of God. Since God is Spirit, according to Scripture, then the image and likeness of God or Spirit must be spiritual. From this it follows logically that the only man that God sees or knows must be spiritual man. What appears, then, as a mortal or material man must be a false sense of man—a misconception or an illusion. Of what use, then, is it to try to gain position, prestige, or favor for or with this misconception? The only objective worth working for is that which gains for us a better understanding of God and of man's relation to Him. The only advancement one needs is the development of the qualities that make the real man more tangible, more comprehensible to human consciousness. The only position worth holding is that which enables one to follow Christ.
As we attain a higher understanding of God and of our true selfhood, as we develop the qualities that prove our sonship with the Father, and as we maintain our position as children of God, we shall have more success, more supply, more harmony, more happiness, more comfort, and more peace. The Bible counsels (Job 22:21), "Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee." When one gains a right understanding of God, an appreciation of His constant care and inexhaustible ability to supply the needs of His creation, then one finds that whatever appears as a need in human experience is met by the application of divine law.
We might examine ourselves frequently by asking: "To what degree am I developing my understanding of God? How loving am I? What am I doing to help others to a better way of life? What am I doing to bring peace and harmony and health to the world?" Concerning ourselves less with self and more with what we may do to lift the burdens of the world, we shall find that our own reward is beyond measure. Such unselfed love indicates that we are advancing out of material thinking into spiritual understanding. We are happy in the knowledge that we are known of God, that we are gaining dominion and power over evil, and that as children of God we stand with Him in perfection now and always.
The righteous individual walks the earth with dominion. He is governed by Principle, controlled by Truth, maintained by Soul, sustained by Spirit. He is renewed by Life, motivated by Love, and directed by Mind. So shall all earnest students eventually find that Christian Science heightens their powers and abilities.
How do we stand with God? As the sons of God we are now at the standpoint of perfection, opportunity, affluence, dominion, harmony, health, and peace.
