In an article titled “One Cause and Effect,” Mary Baker Eddy writes, “Christian Science begins with the First Commandment of the Hebrew Decalogue, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me’ ” (Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 21).
This first of the Ten Commandments in the Bible has been important to me for most of my life, and not simply as a strict rule to be obeyed. I have come to realize that healing happens through understanding and accepting that God is the one true power harmoniously governing every aspect of life.
Christ Jesus, who gave the highest example of practicing the First Commandment, said, “I can do nothing on my own. . . . I carry out the will of the one who sent me, not my own will” (John 5:30, New Living Translation). The majesty of Jesus’ ministry exemplified the pure goodness that comes from God, and in so doing proved God’s will to be good. He healed physical and mental illness, and met or resolved countless other needs and situations.
