Editorial May 24, 1924 Issue

Instantaneous Healing

Albert F. Gilmore

The student of Christ Jesus' ministry, as revealed in the four gospels, is impressed with the fact that the numerous healings of disease performed by him were, with perhaps a single exception, instantaneous. Instantly, it appears, in each case the stricken one was released, whether the belief was of a withered hand, of leprosy, of blindness, of dementia, of fever, or of whatoever malady—even of death itself. There was no period of convalescence, of waiting until the healing agency had become effective; but on the instant the need was met, and freedom from the seeming bondage of sickness gained. Similar results also obtained with the disciples, as recorded in the book of Acts. They, too, were able, as exemplified by Peter and John in healing the impotent man at the gate of the temple, in a goodly degree to emulate the Master's works.

That Christ Jesus and his followers were able to heal instantly the maladies then, as now, regarded as incurable has been generally ascribed by Christendom to the possession by the Nazarene of some supernatural power, which he was in turn able to bestow upon his disciples. It has been persistently held that spiritual healing was only for that day, and only for those especially endowed with a divine gift. In consequence of this belief, men turned away almost completely from the possibilities of repeating the works of the Master to the use of material methods in the treatment of disease, and the belief developed that time was a factor in, if not a necessity to healing. This conclusion has led mortals to regard as necessary a period of convalescence, during which the sick, through, perhaps, careful nursing, the use of drugs, and the apparent potency of some indefinite power termed "nature," may regain the sense of health. The thought of time as a factor in healing has, therefore, come to be generally accepted,—so generally, in fact, that the healings brought about through the ministry of Christian Science, sometimes instantaneously, are frequently denied on the ground that such results could not be obtained except the patient were to pass through a period of convalescence. This conclusion, it may be said, grows out of ignorance of the means and process of spiritual healing.

Christian Science teaches that, since man as God's likeness, or reflection, possesses no qualities underived from God, accordingly man can have no experience which involves imperfection; that is, sickness, sin, or mortality. Christian Science also holds that the discords which seem to make up so large a part of human experience are unreal, due to false beliefs held as true. Then, does it not appear that the correction of false beliefs may be made instantly, whereby sick thoughts give place to thoughts of health, holiness, wholeness? The process is a simple one; and that it is efficacious is constantly proved.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Editorial
Disease Unreal
May 24, 1924
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit