In all ages men have eagerly sought the truth, endeavoring to utilize it and to experience its promised benefits. Yet there has always been great difficulty in understanding what the truth actually is and in separating it from error, especially error which is well-disguised in attractive garb and plausible argument.
The word Truth when capitalized is used in Christian Science as a synonym for God, and we can speak of the truth of Truth. Also, in this religion Christ, the manifestation of God, is frequently referred to as ever-present Truth; and the term "Christ, Truth," is employed to point to the omnipotent power which, when utilized, meets all the needs of mankind. In the textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, we read (p. 316), "Christ, Truth, was demonstrated through Jesus to prove the power of Spirit over the flesh,— to show that Truth is made manifest by its effects upon the human mind and body, healing sickness and destroying sin."
Christ Jesus showed his followers how to succeed in their search for the truth, and he promised them the salutary rewards that follow from its utilization: "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:31, 32). It is well to note that knowing the truth is possible only to those who continue in his word, that is, to those who accept his teachings and utilize them. Except for that one qualification, Jesus' promise of freedom is not limited or restricted, and he proved by demonstration that the promise applies to freedom from all human discords, including lack, fear, disease, and other afflictions.
Christian Scientists accept this promise of Jesus without reservation, and great numbers of them have proved by demonstration the validity of the promise. Authentic testimonies published regularly in the Christian Science periodicals or those heard at the Wednesday testimony meetings in Churches of Christ, Scientist, give ample evidence of the freedom which is gained from continued adherence to Jesus' counsel.
The nature of Truth and its effect on the lives of men, the fruitfulness of its right understanding and utilization, are fully explained in the writings of Mrs. Eddy. In her book "Unity of Good" she affirms the all-inclusiveness of Truth in these words (p. 4): "Truth is God, and in God's law. This law declares that Truth is All, and there is no error. This law of Truth destroys every phase of error."
The allness of Truth and the unreality of error are fundamental in Christian Science. The opposite of Truth is error, much the same as light and knowledge are the opposites of darkness and ignorance. It is mankind's erroneous thinking and wrong action which produce the woes of the world —erroneous thoughts which often masquerade as the truth and frequently exert a beguiling influence on the human mind. The mesmeric effect of error is recognized in the Bible, such as the Epistle to the Galatians, in which Paul wrote (3:1), "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth?" and again in the fifth chapter (verse 7), "Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?"
Failure to obey the truth that we already know is direct disobedience to God's law, with the certainty of appropriate penalty, whereas living in accord with the truth makes us free. The assurance of freedom, with the many blessings which flow from continued utilization of the truth, is well expressed by the last lines of Hymn No. 350 of the Christian Science Hymnal:
While His truth we are applying,
And upon His love relying,
God is every need supplying,
All, all is well.
Earnest students of Christian Science learn the value of carefully discriminating between the truth and error, and their basis for doing so is this: all that is true is divine; it derives from God; it meets the test of being wholly good, harmonious, and in accord with spiritual reality. It is scientific to know that Jesus taught he was at one with God and that man is the spiritual image and likeness of God and therefore spiritually perfect. Any variance or departure from these basic truths is erroneous thinking, which ultimates in depicting man as sinful, fallen, and ailing.
It is such an erroneous concept of man that opens the door to the train of discords and distresses which confuse and harass mankind. The correct view is to know and thoroughly understand that because God, Truth, is All, perfection is the reality of being, and discord is a supposititious concept, or illusion, of mortal mind. Holding steadfastly to the truth causes discords to gradually fade away until the true status of man is demonstrated. To know the truth and to know how to apply it is the birthright of all of us; it is our God-given power and ability.
Because God is Truth, it follows that Truth is absolute, unchanging, ever present, and ever operative. Thus the power of Truth is infinite, and there can be no contrary power; there are only false claims of power based on materialistic beliefs. In proportion as these facts are understood, and to the extent that we firmly reject and deny aggressive error while we continue to accept and affirm the truth, we can experience healings of every sort as a natural consequence.
In numerous places in her writings Mrs. Eddy stresses the potency of the truth in meeting human needs, when it is properly applied with love and spiritual insight. In an article entitled "Truth-healing" on page 259 of "Miscellaneous Writings" she states: "The spiritual elevator of the human race, physically, morally, and Christianly, is the truism that Truth demonstrates good, and is natural; while error, or evil, is really non-existent, and must have produced its own illusion,—for it belongs not to nature nor to God. Truth is the power of God which heals the sick and the sinner, and is applicable to all the needs of man."
