Ever Acting Spiritual Law

Duncan Sinclair

CHRISTIAN SCIENCE reveals the truth that God, Spirit, is infinite, and that, therefore, He exists without an opposite. In other words, it reveals the truth that God, Spirit, is All-in-all, and that the supposititious opposite of Spirit, called matter, is unreal. To hold that matter is real is to believe either that God created that which is the opposite of Himself, or that a creative power other than Spirit exists. Christian Science never deviates in the slightest degree from the fundamental truth of God's allness. To do so would be to dishonor God, the infinite One.

Since God is infinite Spirit, or Mind, the manifestation of God must be Godlike. God's creation, the real or spiritual creation, including individual man, is the manifestation or expression of God, and is thus inseparable from Him—coexists with Him—and consists entirely of spiritual qualities or ideas. Because of this unity, man never ceases to reflect the qualities of spiritual Being, such as perfection, harmony, activity, goodness, immortality. Also, because of man's indissoluble unity with perfect Mind, the life of man is eternally assured.

But mortals believe otherwise. They hold that the so-called material universe or creation is real, some of them even going so far as to say that we cannot be cognizant of anything other than matter as it appears to material sense. They maintain that the so-called material creation, including material man, is real; that it is governed by material law and is under the dominance of this so-called law continually. One can readily see what must be the effect of such believing. Briefly, it results in all manner of human suffering. Believing that they are governed by material law, mortals seem to experience the effects of their own false belief, namely, disease, pain, sorrow, lack; and, as Christian Science shows, they cease to experience these as, through the understanding of God's law—spiritual law—they give up believing in matter and material law.

Christian Science, then, affirming that Spirit and Spirit's creation alone are real, denies matter and material law. Moreover, it declares that Spirit's creation, the only real creation, never ceases to be under the government of the law of God—spiritual law. On page 273 of the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," Mrs. Eddy writes: "God never ordained a material law to annul the spiritual law. If there were such a material law, it would oppose the supremacy of Spirit, God, and impugn the wisdom of the creator." Spiritual law alone is true law; and the real universe, including individual man, is under this law and no other. And being under perfect spiritual law, the real man is conscious of naught but good, naught but harmony, peace, love, joy.

The effect of an understanding of man's relationship to God and of the truth that perfect spiritual law governs him, was wonderfully shown in the life of Christ Jesus. Immediately after the words from Science and Health quoted above, Mrs. Eddy continues, "Jesus walked on the waves, fed the multitude, healed the sick, and raised the dead in direct opposition to material laws." He could have accomplished none of these marvels had he been dominated by the false belief that material law is real. But the Master had a profound knowledge of God and His law, and so completely did he conform to God's law that human difficulties of all kinds were overcome by him.

In proportion to our understanding of Spirit and spiritual law we can follow the Master. Time and again this has been proved in Christian Science practice. Let a sick person become convinced that he is but the victim of false belief, that the real man is not in subjection to material law but under the perfect spiritual law of God, and he will begin to experience relief. Let him continue to affirm the truth that only the law of God, which is the law of good, governs him, until he loses all fear of so-called material law, and healing will be experienced.

There is great need for diligence in striving for a clearer realization of the allness of God, Spirit, and for more steadfast obedience to His law, His ever acting spiritual law. Mrs. Eddy says (Science and Health, p. 182), "Obedience to material law prevents full obedience to spiritual law,—the law which overcomes material conditions and puts matter under the feet of Mind." But when it is known what obedience to spiritual law does—that it heals disease and sin and promotes happiness in human lives—the endeavor is seen to be worth while. "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul," says the Psalmist. As we become familiar with God's law and conform our lives to it, then shall our hearts be joyful and our thoughts be at peace.

Duncan Sinclair

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