In the Christian Science Bible Lesson September 17, 2012 Issue

Our way is secure

For the lesson titled "Reality" from September 17 - 23, 2012

Michael Hamilton—Glen Carbon, Illinois

What is the meaning   of the word perfect, which is so prominent in this week’s Bible Lesson, titled “Reality”? Strong’s Concordance online includes these descriptors in its outline of the biblical usage of this word: “complete, whole, entire,” “sound, healthful,” “wholesome, unimpaired, innocent, having integrity,” “what is complete or entirely in accord with truth and fact.” These rich meanings can be further augmented, as is shown in this week’s Golden Text, “As for God, His way is perfect” (II Samuel 22:31, New King James Version), and in the New International Version’s rendering of verse 33, “[God] keeps my way secure.”

Mary Baker Eddy’s concept of perfection was deeply biblical. She explained: “We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things” (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 129, citation 1). This comes from a clear concept of what is real and what is unreal.

Understanding reality changes lives for the better, and two accounts of healing in this Lesson illustrate the power of God to open blind eyes and restore crippled limbs.