"Come now, and let us reason together"

We arrive at the fundamental fact of being through our ability to reason on the basis of Principle. Divine reasoning consists in persistently and consistently reversing the false material sense of things with that which is true. The prophet of old understood this process when he said, "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." Christian Science, as given to the world by Mary Baker Eddy, is the fulfillment of this call. Its divine reasoning is the Christ, the Comforter, foretold by Isaiah and afterwards embodied in Jesus' mighty healing works. Of the fruits of this process of right reasoning the prophet Isaiah declares it gives "beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness." "Every valley shall be exalted ... and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain: and the glory of the Lord shall be revealed."

There is never a condition or circumstance, however severe it may appear to be to the material senses, that cannot through right reasoning be replaced with divine actuality. The Bible narratives prove this in every instance; for illustration, take the experience of Daniel. It must have seemed a tremendous trial to material sense to be placed in a den of lions, but Daniel knew that what seemed a great trial was really a joyful opportunity to prove God's loving, protecting care under all circumstances. The enemies of Truth conspired against Daniel and through subtle suggestion and trickery succeeded in persuading the king to sign the decree to have Daniel placed in the den of lions. This was the most severe punishment error could contrive, for it seemingly meant the destruction of Daniel. The record reads, "And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel." Material mortal reasoning had left no stone unturned. He was thus seemingly doomed to destruction. Daniel spent no time with material reasoning but serenely and steadfastly reasoned with Principle. He knew that, no matter what seemed to be, the activity of Truth was in operation, and he proved it beyond a doubt. On page 514 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy says, "Mortal courage is 'the lion of the tribe of Juda,' the king of the mental realm." This spiritual idea is the only lion which Spirit, God, knows anything about and it is indestructible, eternal, and continually governed by spiritual law. Mortal mind might try to reverse the divine idea and call it a destructive, ravenous beast but to one who understands spiritual creation a lie about God's creation cannot even seem real. The Bible record shows that proving Principle was a joyous experience, for there was certainly great gladness and love expressed in Daniel's answer to King Darius: "O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." He proved that Principle never ceases to operate to save and bless even one's enemies. These words have rung down the centuries, giving strength and courage to all, proving that no circumstance is beyond God's loving care when rightly interpreted. Mrs. Eddy confirms this conclusion when she says, on the page already referred to: "Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions' den, and Paul proved the viper to be harmless. All of God's creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible. A realization of this grand verity was a source of strength to the ancient worthies. It supports Christian healing, and enables its possessor to emulate the example of Jesus. 'And God saw that it was good.'" As one displaces the mortal sense of things with the spirituality of the one true consciousness, creation will be found wholly good. Whether it be called rock, beast, or star, the spiritual idea manifesting the pure, perfect qualities of the one Mind, without an element of inharmony, is all that is true about anything.

The understanding that God's creation is wholly perfect, continually expressing the divine nature, underlies all Christian Science healing. If one believes that he is suffering from a so-called disease caused by a harmful germ, could one possibly suffer longer if he knew that the only germ there is is the germ of Truth, testifying continually to divine Love, always constructive, not destructive? The understanding of this fact is bound to heal one. Paul understood this spiritual fact of creation so thoroughly that the serpent's bite could not even alarm him. He knew serpent as spiritual idea expressing Love and imparting only love. Spirit being the only cause, the effect must invariably be spiritual. Mrs. Eddy exemplifies this on page 515 of Science and Health where she says, "The serpent of God's creating is neither subtle nor poisonous, but is a wise idea, charming in its adroitness, for Love's ideas are subject to the Mind which forms them,—the power which changeth the serpent into a staff."