Editorial April 19, 1919 Issue

Confidence toward Good

William P. McKenzie

"Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God." So says the apostle; but with a personal sense of God in mind,—that is, when attributing to Deity a human personality,—the reader of such a passage almost instinctively thinks of a court scene, an enthroned monarch, and the approaching to his throne of a suppliant subject. The sinner must approach with fear and trembling, for God to him seems to be a God of wrath; but one who is cloaked with self-righteousness may in that respect be for a time devoid of fear. Christian Science, however, changes our ancient concepts, and as soon as one begins to comprehend God as Principle and finally understands how God, being the one and infinite Principle, must be actual goodness,—or to use a term from "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 257), "inexhaustible Love,"—there comes a relief from dread, and the certainty of blessing which is veritably peace beyond any former understanding.

Is it not true that mortals live in a state of uncertainty regarding good? When it comes they see in it no steadfastness or assurance, and by naming it good luck indicate their belief in its evanescence. Also they think of evil as having certainty and regularity. In making provision against it they labor, so to speak, "in the very fire." What a change, then, is wrought when there comes confidence toward good and the assured expectation of healing, not of disease; of life, not of death; of bliss, not of woe.

This relief is gained by what has long been termed a change of heart. "I will take the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them an heart of flesh" was the promise given in old time. What is really meant is a change in motives and affections. Sin is of the flesh, the belief in transient life based on matter, and its craving lusts demand satisfaction because the pursuing shadow of death threatens to envelop all its gaiety and hilarity in unending darkness; hence the old motto, "Let us eat and drink; for to morrow we shall die."

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