Article July 21, 1923 Issue

Man's Relation to God

THOMAS P. MYERS

On page 587 of our textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, God is defined as "the great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence;" while man is defined on page 591 as "the compound idea of infinite Spirit; the spiritual image and likeness of God; the full representation of Mind." These definitions not only explain the nature of God, but clearly establish that of man, as well as the purely spiritual relationship existing between God and man. Man is the effect of the one cause, which is Spirit; and man is, therefore, spiritual. But "mortal man is the antipode of immortal man in origin, in existence, and in his relation to God" (Science and Health, p. 215). In Christian Science all reasoning in regard to man's relation to God must be based upon a clear understanding of the correctness of these definitions.

The man of God has infinite possibilities. He is coexistent with God, and is the reflection or expression of divine Life, Truth, and Love. This relationship is unceasing, eternal. The unfailing beneficence of infinite Love is universal; and there is no intelligence or law opposed to it in any way. Mankind receives from God the substance of good as it demonstrates the Christ-mind, subordinating every motive, thought, and act to divine Love.

The perfect unity of God and man is absolute. As God said of man to Isaiah, "I have created him for my glory." Every individual man, every true idea, every manifestation of Truth in all the universe, is, then, for the glorifying of God. This is a universal, infinite, eternal activity. When men turn completely away from every vestige of belief of allegiance to any other alleged powers, illusions, or so-called laws, they will be born anew of Spirit, and unfold steadily in grace and power. There is but one God, one Spirit; but one law; but one kind of man—the spiritual. Any thing seeming to manifest a single quality that is not an expression of perfect Spirit, Life, Truth, Love, is not of God and does not really exist. Whatever seems to manifest a quality in the slightest degree imperfect, does not belong to the child of the loving Father-Mother God.

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