Editorial April 14, 1906 Issue

The Forgiveness of Sin

Annie M. Knott

The forgiveness of sin is a doctrine which distinguishes pure monotheism from idolatry or materialistic philosophy. While heathen religions in general made certain provisions for the protection of individual rights, and inflicted penalties for their infringement, yet they were very tolerant of sensual indulgence on the part of their devotees; and this is not surprising when we consider that their supposed deities paid little respect to the demands of moral law. It required the pure teaching and example of Christ Jesus to uncover the claims of sin, to show the way to its complete annihilation, and to unfold that absolute spiritual purity without which no man shall see God. He embodied and revealed the true ideal which all his followers profess to accept, and Christian Science teaches that to follow any other standard is to indulge in sin, and though this be done ignorantly, the penalty which must follow disobedience to divine law is incurred. The law of God is indeed the law of Love, and failure to comply with any of its provisions must necessarily exclude the offender from the realization of man's glorious possibilities as a child of God.

It is both sad and strange that the teaching of Christ Jesus on this vital question should have been so long misunderstood and misapplied by professed Christians, and it is cause for rejoicing that the message of Christian Science should have come, like an archangel with trumpet, to announce that "the destruction of sin is the divine method of pardon," and that, "being destroyed, sin needs no other form of forgiveness" (Science and Health, p. 339). This teaching throws a wonderful light upon the ministry of our Lord, and makes it clear that the healing of sin and disease are substantially the same, inasmuch as those who experience this healing are lifted above the plane of belief where the asserted "law of sin and death" is operative. In the case of Mary Magdalene, "out of whom went seven devils," we find a sudden transformation; the Christ-purity uncovering to her the hideousness of sin so that it could only repel, never attract her again; while the attraction of Spirit led her onward to ever higher and holier service.

In this scientific age, proof is demanded in everything, and rightly so; and if religion is to stand the test of science, the "forgiveness of sin" must be proved, not in human dogma or declaration, but in daily demonstration of Christlike living. The Master sought to raise his disciples above the belief in sin's necessity or reality; he also taught them how to liberate others from sin and disease, and in no other way can any prove their discipleship to-day. Of what avail is it to tell one that his sins are forgiven while he is still enslaved, in mortal belief, by appetite and passion? The one who is set free from sin and sickness by the truth knows that his sin is forgiven (destroyed) by the operation of divine law, and he rejoices in the blessed privilege of reflecting the light upon others who still "sit in darkness and in the shadow of death." There are many who thus prove that they are "risen with Christ," and it is this no less the healing of disease which attracts so many to Christian Science.

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