God finishes His work wholly and completely. In Genesis we read (1:31), "And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good."
Throughout the Scriptures we read that right and good undertakings were concluded perfectly under God's unerring direction. Nehemiah refused to come down from building the wall of Jerusalem until it was completed, although mortal mind would have delayed or stopped the work on several occasions. But being God-directed to restore this protective wall, Nehemiah perceived the falsity of these deceptive arguments and continued his efforts until he had successfully accomplished his mission.
Mrs. Eddy tells us throughout her writings to continue our work until complete harmony is attained. For instance, she writes in Science and Health of the modern disciple (p. 21), "If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy."
One should not feel satisfied with a partial demonstration of Christian Science or an incomplete solving of a problem but should continue his prayerful work until he realizes his entire freedom and sees evidence of it. Realization and manifestation are one, inseparable and inevitable, perfect and complete. Perhaps the one needing help is so happy to be relieved from suffering or to have more freedom in his activity or a greater sense of security from financial worries or to be less fearful of a physical disease that he fails to realize the Psalmist's promise (Ps. 138:8), "The Lord will perfect that which concerneth me."
The writer remembers a testimony given at a Wednesday evening meeting in her branch church. A friend told of his healing in Christian Science of tuberculosis of the hip when he was a young boy. He said that when all the physical symptoms and suffering had been relieved and he was able to be up and about his daily activities, his parents told the practitioner that she could discontinue her prayers. But the speaker closed his testimony by saying how grateful he was that the practitioner encouraged them not to give up the case until the healing was complete. One of his legs was shorter than the other, and she felt it was unwise to stop her work until this condition had been corrected. And it was not long before this took place.
How often the temptation comes to many of us to accept relief or improvement instead of bringing forth the fruition of our consecrated and scientific endeavors! Because Christian Science is a Science, its rules, when correctly applied, result in a complete solution to every problem. If we wish to be consistent Christian Scientists, we should not discontinue our daily metaphysical right thinking until we gain a sense of freedom from the ills or discordant conditions that may be presenting themselves and trying to hold us in bondage to physical laws and human fears.
Certainly we should be grateful for every step of progress, however small it may be. But our thinking in Christian Science must always be positive, a going forward with assurance and confidence.
The children of Israel did not reach the Promised Land for many years, although they arrived at Kadeshbarnea in less than two years, and Caleb, perceiving the end of their journey, declared with joyous confidence, "Let us go up at once, and possess it; for we are well able to overcome it" (Num. 13:30). Had the Israelites persisted a little longer and been obedient to God's command to go forward, they could have ended their wanderings then and there. They were at the very border of the Promised Land. But because the people before them were strong and their cities well fortified, fear blinded the children of Israel to their completed demonstration. So they were turned back into the wilderness and wandered over thirty-eight years before they again arrived at the Land of Promise.
Our land of abundant good, of peace, and of healing is also at hand, if we are willing to continue a little longer or perhaps redouble our efforts. And we must be ready to obey God's command to go up and possess this land—to go forward with gratitude and receptivity to accept our divine birthright of deliverance from bondage to the enslaving material senses.
Divine Love sustains and protects us in our journey onward and upward through our trying wilderness experiences, for it is not God's plan or purpose that we should continue therein, but rather that we should learn of our status as His children and be free. As His purpose and its fulfillment are one and inseparable, it is possible for us here and now to claim our birthright and experience divine freedom, health, and harmony. The heavenly Father, through the ever-present Christ, has revealed the way, and Mrs. Eddy has shown us how to understand and to demonstrate the divine truths of Christian Science. This revelation not only heals physical ills but also bestows spiritual enlightenment—the radiance of Soul—that peace which passeth all understanding.
To be wholly free, one needs to be saved from physical inharmonies and also saved spiritually by awakening to the understanding and conviction that the only power governing man is divine Love. This illumined realization unfolds and reveals the complete supremacy, authority and allness of Mind, in whom "we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:28).
This twofold blessing is illustrated in the healing of the ten lepers. When they came to Jesus for help, all received their physical healing; but only the one who returned to express gratitude was made whole. Mrs. Eddy tells us in Science and Health (pp. 369, 370), "To be every whit whole, man must be better spiritually as well as physically." Gratitude opens wide one's consciousness to receive the full benefits of God's healing Word.
The Psalmist wrote (Ps. 107:20), "He sent his word, and healed them." This promise is the law of God present in every Christian Science treatment. It evidences God revealing Himself, declaring Himself, manifesting Himself. As we listen to, acknowledge, and accept it, the Christ, Truth, will express itself in health, harmony, supply, and complete freedom. And why? Because the power of God's Word is infallible, unchanging. It is mandatory, it is final, and it ensures completion. In fact, it is the operation of omnipotence, unfolding the perfection and continuing good of that which already exists. Because divine Love is absolute and supreme, man in God's likeness is wholly exempt from the foibles and falsities of the erroneous beliefs of mortal selfhood.
In other words, completing our demonstration is awakening to our forever unity with God, whose law is in constant operation, maintaining man's wholeness and perfection. This activity of divine Mind reveals "God with us," unfolding the Father's power and presence—His might and glory forever.
