God's Word Available

ADELA S. HAWLEY

In his second letter to the Corinthians Paul said, "We do not war after the flesh: (for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." This statement points to the nature of evil as mental, and plainly indicates that the way to meet and overcome it is through the understanding of the power and might of God, divine Mind, whence come the spiritual "weapons" with which the "strong holds" of error, "imaginations" and "every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God," may be demolished.

Truth cannot be demonstrated merely by making abstract statements, nor by much theorizing about it. Through spiritual discernment we must express that "unselfed love" which Mrs. Eddy tells us "receives directly the divine power" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 192). This mental quality, which is the reflection of divine Mind—the one and only Mind—does not come through any sudden, mysterious happening; it comes by using our understanding as we go along, and the fruits resulting from this persistent effort urge one to more faithful, consecrated study. Through this study is found a new standard for thought and action; for Christian Science teaches that God, the creator of all, is good, and that man is the acme of this good creation. When one awakens to this truth about God and man, it brings to him a joy beyond anything he has ever known, for there has been revealed to him the basic Principle, which is constantly available and demonstrable.

The Master tells us of the mental attitude by which to approach and demonstrate the truths of Christian Science: "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do." Then follows that courage-giving promise, "The Father loveth the Son, and sheweth him all things that himself doeth." These words awaken us to realize in a degree man's relation to God, and to become aware of the divinely constructive nature of Truth. This does away with the troubled, labored effort which argues that error is something actual to be destroyed, or possibly that we need to do something of ourselves to bring the healing more quickly. And it gives us the assurance expressed in Isaiah, "The work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance for ever."

We must be constantly alert to any and every aggressive mental suggestion. These erroneous suggestions cannot elude detection when we uphold the high standard of Truth, and apply our Leader's statement on page 462 of Science and Health, "Anatomy, when conceived of spiritually, is mental self-knowledge, and consists in the dissection of thoughts to discover their quality, quantity, and origin." Father on she says, "This branch of study is indispensable to the excision of error." To study and apply Christian Science—to cling to the perpetual and harmonious activity of God's law—is the true and safe way. His ideas are ever at hand to supply and enlighten, and we must be alert to receive and utilize them.

Christian Scientists must constantly rise to the higher altitudes of thinking and demonstration. They must gain a fuller comprehension of God's Word and make it the vital force in their work, for this is the power that heals, reforms, transforms, and regenerates. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God." This Word is available for all whose thought is receptive, and responsive to it. The industrious use of the Word of God in governing and guiding thought and action will prove a sure defense against all mistaken human opinions. Thomas a Kempis says, "He to whom the Eternal Word speaketh is delivered from many an opinion." Students need to be "delivered," not only from their own opinions, but also from those of other people. In Science and Health (p. 341) we read, "In Christian Science mere opinion is valueless."

Not in words alone, but in consecrated lives, can Christian Scientists attest their love and loyalty to our blessed Master, Christ Jesus, and to his faithful, clear-seeing follower, Mary Baker Eddy. Through the words and works of the Master and the revelations of the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, we are enabled to resist evil and to bring "into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ."

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