TO view all things from the spiritual standpoint is of vital importance to the Christian Scientist. It is basic to his demonstration. This was clearly understood by Paul, who, after his conversion, recognized that everything should be judged or interpreted from a spiritual standpoint and that Christians must have "the mind . . . which was also in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 2:5). Paul often made this clear, as in the first epistle to the Corinthians, where he wrote (2:12, 13): "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual."
This attitude and outlook imbued the early Christian church with vigor, joy, activity, and zeal. Later, when worldly wisdom and policy crept into the church, its true growth and movement were arrested and its healing mission lost. But these have been reinstated in the present age through the revelation of Christian Science. Once more it has been made clear that Christ Jesus came to show mankind how to find liberation from the illusions of mortal conditions and how to recognize the perfect man of God's creating, the beloved son of the one Father, God.
In speaking of the Saviours mission and of mortal conditions to which he had to conform, Mary Baker Eddy says in part (Unity of Good, pp. 59, 60): "Jesus came to rescue men from these very illusions to which he seemed to conform: from the illusion which calls sin real, and man a sinner, needing a Saviour; the illusion which calls sickness real, and man an invalid, needing a physician; the illusion that death is as real as Life. From such thoughts— mortal inventions, one and all—Christ Jesus came to save men, through ever-present and eternal good."
Jesus' unremitting conscious communion with God, good, and his recognition of divine Principle as his Father caused him to see the true and perfect creation and to unsee every appearance of sin, sickness, and death. To him, these evils were untrue and never real. He judged everything from the spiritual standpoint and taught his immediate disciples and all who should follow them to do likewise.
Because of the mission which the Saviour fulfilled, we as human beings have actually received "the spirit which is of God" and "the things that are freely given to us of God." As we receive and hold to God's thoughts, which are true substance, we are enabled to reflect spiritual qualities. Each individual has his part to play in rejecting false, human concepts and attaining the reality of spiritual being.
Christian Science shows us the way. In answer to the question, "How can I progress most rapidly in the understanding of Christian Science?" our Leader says (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 495): "Study thoroughly the letter and imbibe the spirit. Adhere to the divine Principle of Christian Science and follow the behests of God, abiding steadfastly in wisdom, Truth, and Love."
The Christian Scientist, refreshed, enlightened, and inspired through faithful study and daily communion with God in prayer, comes to perceive the perfect standard with which to compare and measure all that is presented to him in daily life. He can then nullify in thought everything which does not measure up to his highest concept of good, because he has learned that evil has neither power nor presence in the truth of being. Progressively he will find more and more of good and less and less of evil outwardly manifested in his human experience.
The Christian Scientist watches carefully to see that he does not make human standards his model or attempt to base his demonstrations of Truth on the shifting sands of personal sense, thus forfeiting the protection of spiritual understanding. In his second epistle to the Corinthians, Paul wrote (10: 12), "We dare not . . . compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise."
It is a common temptation to compare individual gifts and opportunities, either to commend oneself or, perhaps more often, to make excuses for failures because one s chances seem to have been less propitious than those of others. Taking her stand for good from the time she went to school and for many years afterwards in her professional career, the writer nevertheless encountered great difficulties and severe setbacks. Timidity and a belief that she did not compare well with others, that she was not equipped as others were, tended to frustrate and hamper her in much of her work.
Today, "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," the writer is gaining a sense of divine guidance and true achievement. Whilst her projects may appear less spectacular from the human standpoint than formerly, her life is more harmonious, happier, and richer than before, with ever unfolding prospects of further growth.
Each individual is equipped with all that he needs for the fulfillment of his own work to the glory of God. He is answerable to God alone and has no need to compare himself with any other individual. And let it be added that this approach if based on the understanding of true being unites individuals.
It is essential to recognize in all others the same spiritual status and individuality one claims for himself, and this recognition brings about harmonious human relationships. Laying aside the counterfeit sense of personality and human will power for the true selfhood reflecting the divine Mind, one recognizes his place in the Father's universal family, within which all ideas are important and useful.
The Christian Scientist naturally uses his God-bestowed gifts in the interests of his immediate surroundings so that he may think, speak, and act rightly in all matters pertaining to his church, his family, his business, or his practice. But his thought will also expand to include the right view of national and world affairs. He must have the courage to deny the reality of all that does not measure up to his highest concept of divine Principle. His wisdom will appear to be quite alien to the false wisdom of the world, but he must dare to be different. Taking a firm stand for the truth he knows, he will assist in purifying the atmosphere of the human mind and will bear witness to the law of divine Principle, ever operating in human affairs.
The Christian Scientist is truly grateful that he has the teaching of the Holy Ghost, divine Science, which enables him to start with God and to compare "spiritual things with spiritual." Thus he can understand and prove the omnipresence and omnipotence of Spirit, Truth, and the nothingness of matter, error. As the Apostle James tells us (1:17), "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning." "The Father of lights" is All-in-all, and perfection is our only criterion.
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.—Isaiah 41:10.
