Article March 6, 1909 Issue

THE GRACE OF GOD

MARY JEAN MILLER.

A new understanding of the word "grace" came recently, when calling upon a friend who has been reading Science and Health and studying the Lesson-Sermons but a short time. He said, "What is the meaning of grace? I do not find it in the Glossary." Questioning him as to his belief regarding it, he smiled and answered, "It is unmerited favor." Much light was thrown upon the true meaning by referring to the Century Dictionary, which defines it as "power to yield obedience to the divine laws." Instantly came the words of our beautiful prayer in the Church Manual (p. 41): "'Thy kingdom come;' let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!"

Flood-tides of love and gratitude filled consciousness as the beauty and the wholeness of the truth of Christian Science, as brought to us by Mrs. Eddy, was realized in this new and spiritual rendering of a very old term. The memory of many benedictions at the close of church services then came up for recognition, the most familiar being, "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." A new interpretation of Jesus, the Wayshower, was also revealed, for did not Jesus yield obedience to divine law, healing all kinds of disease and gaining the victory over the last enemy, death? Paul wrote to the Ephesians. "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Then this gift is merited favor, because man is God's likeness, expressing power as well as reflecting understanding.

Obedience is also a natural result, truly the object of yielding. Thompson's chain reference Bible has among other topics under the word "grace," "Of Christ (Christ's grace), Luke ii. 40," which reads: "And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him." Spiritual strength and wisdom are normal states of consciousness for the sons and daughters of God, and there is nothing irksome in being "faithful over a few things," for obedience "is the offspring Love" (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 117).

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