Article June 22, 1940 Issue

Uplifting the Spiritual Idea

ALICE SHERIDAN

In accordance with the first chapter of Genesis, in which we read that "God created man in his own image," and with the declaration of Jesus, "God is a Spirit," Christian Science teaches that man is wholly spiritual, and explains the relationship of God and man as Father and son. This scientific truth is unchangeable, immutable, immortal, and nothing can hinder or prevent each one from eventually realizing and thus demonstrating it.

In the first epistle of John, third chapter, the apostle proclaims the real nature of man when he says: "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure."

It was as if he had said, "Now man is spiritual, not material," although this fact is not and cannot be apparent to the material senses. In the degree that Christ, defined by Mary Baker Eddy as "the spiritual idea of sonship" (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 331), becomes manifest in our lives, and thought is lifted above false concepts, we recognize the real man. Then human thought awakens to the glorious perception that man is now, and always has been, the son of God; and with this vision come the inspiration and desire to measure up to this understanding of real manhood.

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