Article November 17, 1928 Issue

Being a Law to Ourselves

LORA C. RATHVON

The relation between law and progress is clearly defined in the ethics of Christian Science. This relation is also observable in what Jesus taught, and shows how closely the teachings of Christian Science follow those of the Master. On page 442 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" our beloved Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, gives us the definite, explicit command, "Christian Scientists, be a law to yourselves that mental malpractice cannot harm you either when asleep or when awake." It will be helpful to consider just what is included in this command, which leaves no room for personal volition, but says with unmistakable directness that if we bear the name of Christian Scientist we are to be a law to ourselves.

Jesus brought to the world the demonstrable teaching that to understand God's law means progress. He taught that the understanding of God's law and obedience to it are humanity's prerogatives, and are inviolate whenever mankind avails itself of this teaching, and so is able to silence the testimony of the material senses. Jesus was ever ready to be taught of God, ever ready to look to Him for guidance, ever ready to follow the divine leading; and by so doing he proved he was a law unto himself. To recognize and acknowledge God's law and to obey it is indeed to be a law to one's self; for it means that one recognizes the existence of no law but the divine. To be a law to one's self is, then, to realize that God is All; and thus also we gain the God-given power that enables us to turn away from the clamorings and allurements of the material senses. We find, furthermore, that obedience to God's law means progress and harmony, and gives unfailing dominion over the claims of error.

No one has listened more intently for the "still small voice" of Truth, has prayed more humbly to God, the Giver of all good, or has followed Him more closely than did Christ Jesus, the Man of Galilee. To us, God's law means much; to him, God's law meant everything. In his wonderful meekness and might he cried to a world that would not heed, "I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me." He was mighty because he did God's will, listened for God's word and heeded it. He would have no other will, no other law.

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