Article September 28, 1899 Issue

Questions and Answers

W. C. B., F. W.

If man is the image and likeness of God he is already saved; to whom then was the command addressed, "Work our your own salvation"?—W. C. B.

The command is to mortals living in the belief that error is as real as Truth, evil as real as Good, and death as real as Life. By believing in the reality of opposites mortals have a true conception of neither. Not having the understanding of Truth, they do not enjoy the blessings it has in store; and not seeing error in its true light, they believe in its reality and power, and are in bondage thereto. They must work out of this condition by gaining the understanding of Truth which saves from all error. Mortal man must not expect to be saved because of another's goodness. Another may help him bear his burdens, but a full and complete salvation from all error can only be the result of his own individual understanding of Truth.

One must have a perfect ideal before he can hope to attain perfection, for it is impossible to rise higher than one's ideal. Christian Science declares that man is the image and likeness of God. Since God is perfect it follows that His image and likeness is perfect also. Thus mortal man has a perfect model. By looking at this model continually and making his life conform thereto, he gradually approaches perfection and is saved from evil and its effects. This great work cannot be accomplished in a day. Unnumbered years, perhaps ages, may be necessary for the complete and final demonstration of Truth. The success of years is but the result of well-spent days and hours.

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