Article November 25, 1950 Issue

GOD IS ALL

EMANUELA ALLAVENA

Many affirm that God is All, but fail to live and prove this affirmation. And why? Because, though believing in God's allness, they know neither what God is nor what His allness signifies. If asked what God means to them, they would probably find it difficult to reply. One needs to grow in the realization that "All" literally means infinity and admits of nothing else. Mankind continues to claim and to fear the presence of many powers, whereas the understanding of God and of what His allness implies would completely overthrow all material theories of power and redeem men's outlook on life and way of living.

So long as God remains an uncertain, vague concept, existence is an enigma. How can one understand himself and existence if he does not know his creator? The idea one has of God determines his morals and his relation to God and to his neighbor. Primitive people believing in a cruel, bloodthirsty god, a revengeful, severe deity, are likewise cruel and revengeful. Christ Jesus brought the true concept of God and made Him dear as the loving Father, eternal Life, who provides all good for His beloved children. Paul described Him as "the God of love and peace" (II Cor. 13:11). In John's Gospel, Jesus not only stresses continually the necessity to know God aright, but teaches that this is the only way to overcome death and to realize one's immortality. "This is life eternal," he declares (John 17:3), "that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Here Jesus asks for more than faith in God: he asks for a knowledge of Him. The Master also taught that God is Spirit, and John, the beloved disciple, explained Him as Love.

In this age the spiritual meaning of the Bible and of Jesus' teaching was revealed to Mary Baker Eddy, and she made the knowledge of God available to everyone who earnestly searches for it. In her book "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" all may acquaint themselves with the truths of God and His perfect creation. On page 465 Mrs. Eddy gives the following definition: "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." These synonyms are taken from the Bible teachings and enable the searcher to substitute for the often vague concept of God a synonym which gives a precise and clear meaning. As one humbly and prayerfully ponders the meaning of these synonyms and applies his newborn knowledge to daily living, God becomes understandable, near, lovable, and reliable. God becomes to him a living God, his dear Father, available every moment and in every situation. Unfolding spiritual understanding completely changes his thinking and being. It gives inexhaustible food for thought and brings with it joy, gratitude, dominion, peace, and freedom. It fulfills Jesus' promise (John 8:32), "Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

CATEGORICAL DENIAL