Article June 21, 1930 Issue

"Greater love"

MABEL CONE BUSHNELL

Centuries ago the great Teacher, Christ Jesus, said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." The desire to gain a clearer sense of what constitutes "friend" brings the realization that, in the final analysis, God is the one Friend. The Godlike qualities which reflect Him, such as obedience, unselfishness, purity, humility, charity, and numberless others, are the expression of divine Mind, the one supreme Friend to man. The only life that can be laid down is the ungodlike belief of life in matter, the sense of a mortal self. As this false view of life is laid down or discarded by a refusal to accept mortal mind suggestions of an existence apart from God, and admitting to one's mental household only true friends,—the qualities of God,—there is manifested that "greater love" which heals the sick.

Mrs. Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 571), "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." Seeking to know what "panoply" is, we find that Webster's dictionary defines it as "anything defending or protecting completely by covering or enveloping." Love's panoply, then, protects wholly from harm of any kind; and the true man, the only man that actually exists, abides in the consciousness of good and has no cognizance of the counterfeit, or mortal mind's illusion, and therefore can encounter no harm from any mortal belief.

Laying down one's life or, as Paul says, putting off "the old man with his deeds," enables one to behold the man of God's creating. In what someone terms the "irritating concerns and duties" of everyday living, there are endless opportunities for each one constantly to put off this "old man" or, quoting Paul again, to "die daily," disposing of the mortal or dying beliefs that clamor for recognition and putting on a continually unfolding realization of God's man.

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
Article
In your issue of October 25 there appeared an article...
June 21, 1930
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit