Article December 28, 1946 Issue

Principle Lived and Loved

JOHN D. PICKETT

One of the first rewards for a beginner in the study of Christian Science is the joy which comes with the dawning realization that God is Love. Then God is no longer feared, but loved. Mysticism gives place to a growing understanding of man's intelligent relationship to God, who is recognized not as a God afar off, but as ever-present Love, supplying humanity's needs. "God is not the God of the dead, but of the living," said Jesus (Matt. 22:32). These truths are the basis for the expressions of gratitude that rise from the hearts of those newborn of Spirit.

The understanding of God is not static, but progressive. To the devout student of Christian Science, new views of God as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle. Life, Truth, Love, the synonyms used for God by our Leader, Mary Baker Eddy, are ever unfolding. Glorious as it is to know God as Love, the student needs also to understand Love as Principle. Mrs. Eddy implies the importance of understanding Principle in this statement (No and Yes, p. 20): "When understood, Principle is found to be the only term that fully conveys the ideas of God,— one Mind, a perfect man, and divine Science." Of this Principle she says again (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 100): "The Christian Scientist loves man more because he loves God most. He understands this Principle,—Love." Understanding divine Principle, Love, one sees that Principle is to be lived as well as loved.

Living in obedience to divine Love, we find our true being inseparable from God. We find the basis of Christian Science demonstration, and its resulting peace. Jesus loved God supremely. His life and deeds, as set forth in the New Testament, show his recognition of God as Life, or divine Principle, to be lived and loved. So fully did he demonstrate God's power and love that he is known to Christian Scientists as the Way-shower. God he acknowledged as his Father, and his message to us is that we too know God as our Father. He recognized man's oneness with the living God, divine Principle. He said (Luke 2:49). "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" Of his works he said (John 14:10), "The Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works."

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