Safe Foundations

JOHN L. RENDALL

In one of his many parables Jesus spoke of the man who, when starting to build his house, "digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock." This safe foundation resisted the flood, and the stream which beat upon the house and "could not shake it."

In another place Jesus spoke of the "rock" upon which he would build his church, and he clearly indicated that this rock is the Christ, Truth.

One definition of "foundation" is, "The principle or origin of things." According to Christian Science, the Principle and origin of all reality is God. Whatever is built upon this sure and safe foundation of Spirit, or God, is purely spiritual, and therefore will stand forever.

In speaking of the church which Jesus said would be built on the "rock," Mrs. Eddy states in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 136), "Jesus established his church and maintained his mission on a spiritual foundation of Christ-healing." She states further (ibid., p. 138): "The supremacy of Spirit was the foundation on which Jesus built. His sublime summary points to the religion of Love."

One can readily see the wisdom of building his material habitation upon a safe foundation. It is plain, however, that Christ Jesus' parable of the wise man who built his house upon the rock illustrated that condition of spiritual understanding or individual consciousness which rests upon the Christ, Truth.

Against this consciousness of the supremacy of Mind, Spirit, God, the winds and the waves of material sense may beat in fury, but without avail. The suggestions of sin, of sickness, and of discord may launch their attacks in insidious ways, but they find no weak places through which to enter, for, as the Psalmist states, "he that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."

This safe foundation, which is so clearly indicated in Jesus' teachings, is necessary, in fact indispensable, to the building of Christian character. Not only must the foundation be safe, but the superstructure must also be properly built. The elements which enter into this building consist of those spiritual and eternal qualities of goodness and purity of thought and deed taught and exemplified by our Master, combined with Christian courage and confidence in God, and the spiritual understanding of the supremacy of Mind, Life, Truth, and Love, as revealed in Christian Science. These all combine to produce that spiritual consciousness which dwells "in the house of the Lord for ever."

The Christian Science church was founded by Mary Baker Eddy on the identical foundation on which Jesus built—upon the Rock, Christ, Truth. Its essential mission is the salvation of humanity from sickness, sin, and death, and its purpose is to maintain and perpetuate Christian healing and Christian living on the basis established by our Master.

The church which Christ Jesus founded is spiritual in origin, in purpose, and in its practical workings. Based upon Christian healing, its foundation is safe and eternal. The real Church is independent of material edifices, for it is "the structure of Truth and Love; whatever rests upon and proceeds from divine Principle" (ibid., p. 583).

Our church edifices furnish an acceptable place wherein members may meet to worship God. The church organization functions through its membership. Its collective activity for good is the expression of the thought of its individual members. A church whose membership is comprised of individuals awake to their individual opportunities and responsibilities is indeed representative of "that institution, which affords proof of its utility" (ibid., p. 583). It is evident that the church to which Jesus referred was a healing church, and that the healing of the sick is an indispensable and fundamental part of its Christian mission. The same spiritually right thinking which animated Jesus' disciples and apostles, and other early Christians in their healing work, results in the same healing work by Christian Scientists today.

The Christian Scientist is keenly aware of the imperative need for a safe foundation, that he may build securely and well. When one's premise is sound, his conclusions also are sound. Positive and right results inevitably follow the leadings of divine Love, that infinite Mind which is the basis of Christian healing.

The individual Christian Scientist is therefore earnestly seeking this safe foundation and building thereupon. To this end he studies the Bible and Science and Health, and therein finds spiritual guidance. He is thus enabled to help himself and others to an enlarged understanding of God and man. Through his increasing spiritual consciousness of Truth, he is building his house on the Rock, which shall stand forever.

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Redeeming the Past

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