A HUMAN organization called a church represents the states and stages of thought of the members. As each student of Christian Science raises his concept of Church and corrects his own thinking through spiritual enlightenment, he himself will experience improved conditions, and his branch church will grow and prosper. In the messages which John gave to the seven churches in Asia bold action against heretics is advocated, purging the ranks of false teachers is encouraged, and patience, discernment, good judgment, long-suffering, and endurance are commended. It is pointed out that one must continue to work in the midst of tribulation, poverty, and persecution. Faithfulness, good works, charity, service, faith, strength, keeping the Word, and not denying Christ help one to merit the promise implied in the words (Rev. 22:14), "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city."
The attitudes of thought and action that are to be guarded against or corrected are lack of joy, faith without works, luke-warmness, idolatry, failure to watch, and sensuality.
The recognition that the real man, revealed by the Bible to be God's image, reflects all the attributes of God inspires one to prove that because he is equipped with all that is necessary to express faithfulness, dominion, and love, he can break whatever mesmerism would assail him or the church of which he is a member.
