Article June 27, 1931 Issue

The City of God

BESSIE B. JONES

Through the study of Christian Science we learn that the city of God, which is not a material habitation but a state of divine consciousness, is governed and controlled by divine Love; that there is but one gateway through which it can be entered, the gateway of pure and holy thinking. For did not our Master say, "Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God"? In order, then, to enter this divine state of consciousness, the weeds of self-love, self-pity, self-justification, self-condemnation, self-righteousness, self-will, must be replaced with the flowers of self-abnegation, self-sacrifice, honesty, purity, humility, unselfed love—that love which embraces all mankind; which sees man, the image and likeness of God, where mortal man claims to be; which magnifies good; which refrains from voicing error, from encouraging it in others, and from condoning it through silence, when silence means consent.

Animal courage cannot enter the city of God; moral courage is necessary—that strong, pure courage which stands ready and willing to take up the cross and go forward, listening for and obeying the "still small voice." Thereby one follows in the footsteps of our blessed Master, who cared neither for the world's approval nor for its frown, because his thought was centered on being about his Father's business. And because his whole earthly experience was a desire to please God, he could reveal the truth and teach it to his followers. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 26) Mrs. Eddy writes: "Our Master taught no mere theory, doctrine, or belief. It was the divine Principle of all real being which he taught and practised."

On our journey towards this city of God many obstacles, such as discouragement, impatience, fear, would try to delay our progress by making us believe in a power apart from God; but one by one these suggestions of the carnal mind are cast out as we put into practice the First Commandment. "Thou shalt have no other gods before me," and realize, as did Jesus, that "I can of mine own self do nothing," and that "the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works." Our part is to reflect the light of Truth.

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
The Only Way
June 27, 1931
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit