Editorial June 10, 1933 Issue

Scientific Forgiveness

Violet Ker Seymer

FORGIVENESS is usually thought of as bestowed by one person on another. Yet, is it not a question whether, in a deeper sense of the term, any human being can presume to forgive another? As understood in Christian Science, the perfection of divine Principle alone can blot out the mortal sense of evil and its effects on health, character, and circumstances.

On page 497 of "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" Mrs. Eddy writes: "We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts." God alone imparts the spiritual illumination which destroys mental darkness, fear, superstition. Hence true forgiveness, liberation from material sense and all its torments, is brought about by divine Love alone. Reconciliation to Spirit melts every barrier to harmony. "I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee."

The spiritual man's consciousness has never been darkened, for it consists solely in the reflection of God, perfect divine Mind. But from the human standpoint certain conditions are attached to winning the pardon of divine Principle. Sin continues its depredations until wrong thoughts and actions have been forsaken. This forsaking is accomplished through recognizing that the omniscience of infinite Spirit includes no matter, no sinner, no sufferer, and then honestly abandoning one's belief in them. To turn in love and repentance to God, good, means to anchor thought in the infinitude of good, where refuge from the storms of sin and fear may unfailingly be found. To turn to God understandingly means to realize Love's power to redeem to the uttermost each and every one who has wandered into the mental wilderness of sin, disease, sorrow. Through divine grace human thought is lifted above disgrace.

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"Heal the sick"
June 10, 1933
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