Article February 22, 1947 Issue

True Loving

MADORA HOLT

Sometimes it seems difficult to love one close to us because the unlovely traits he manifests appear so real to us. Only the understanding that evil never has been, is not now, and never will be inherent in man makes it possible for us to love as we would be loved. The assumption that some phase of error is peculiar and indigenous to one's nature, our own or another's, is disheartening. But encouraging is the knowledge that Jesus "Was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Hebr. 4:15). And healing is the realization that since God, Spirit, is perfect, His idea, man, is spiritual and perfect; that the tempter and tempted are one—namely, mortal mind.

Every evil belief is effaceable because evil is not personal. It is not "yours" or "mine." Sin and disease are as alien to God and His beloved image and likeness as is dust to the good housewife. She spends no moments condemning herself or others because it has settled on her furniture, but with dispatch she removes it in order that the beauty of her home be not marred. Christian Science teaches us how to remove sin and sickness from our concept of man so that his native strength, beauty, and purity stand forth.

The twenty-first chapter of Numbers presents a revealing episode in the life of a people who had left bondage in Egypt for the promised land. Stringent testings had been theirs, and at the point of the journey referred to, discouragement, criticism, and self-pity beclouded their hearts. It may have been that such a state of mortal thought was externalized in "fiery serpents" which "bit the people; and much people of Israel died." God, however, does not send "fiery serpents," as a literal rendering of the text would imply. Christian Science teaches that God, good, the All-in-all, is incapable of evil; therefore, since God does not know evil, His reflection, man, does not know evil. Mortals experience that which they mentally entertain.

Enjoy 1 free Sentinel article or audio program each month, including content from 1898 to today.

Send a comment to the editors
NEXT IN THIS ISSUE
Poem
"Thy will be done"
February 22, 1947
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit