THE CONSISTENCY OF THE CHRIST

Robert Ellis Key

In the realm of reality there is a spiritual consistency which ensures the appearing of every idea in its right order and for a good purpose. The teachings of Christian Science are logical and consistent. This consistency is a manifestation of the Christ, or Christ Science. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 242), "The divine Science of man is woven into one web of consistency without seam or rent."

To worship a consistent God is to experience consistent good. The son of God is not eclipsed by a mortal mentality. The son of God is not remote or chimerical. The Apostle John declares (I John 3:2), "Beloved, now are we the sons of God." This surely is a glorious declaration.

Those who recognize the divine authority of the Scriptures cannot escape the conclusion reached by the apostle that we all have a divine nature here and now, even though we may not wholly recognize or demonstrate it. It will be noticed, for instance, that he qualifies his absolute statement by saying, "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." This qualification of the apostle's absolute statement that we are the sons of God does not detract from the value and extent of our divine sonship, which we are each capable of demonstrating. We learn of our sonship with God through the Christ, and in the Christ is to be found a spiritual consistency in both theory and practice.

We appreciate a consistent friend, one who is always the same, a companion we can depend upon. We do not approach such a friend for help with doubts or misgivings. If our purpose is honest, we know his response will be spontaneous. We have proved his character to be consistent, and thus we trust him to do the right thing. How much more surely can we look to God and expect a consistency of good to come from our honest approach to Him.

True consistency includes understanding. It would be inconsistent to understand a friend on one occasion and misunderstand him on another. Thus we see the importance of understanding God to be the author of consistent good and of expecting this consistency of good to come into our human experience. The consistency to be found in the Christ is not theoretical. Jesus, who identified himself with the Christ, practiced good consistently. He never let down on the ideal he lifted up, namely, the standard of perfect God and perfect man.

The world today is faced with many inconsistencies. On every hand there seems to be disunity and discord. This sad state of affairs is due to the nonrecognition of God's nature as wholly good and of man as His image and likeness. To understand God aright is to recognize Him as the author of consistent good, as the Giver of "every good gift and every perfect gift," as "the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning" (James 1:17).

The Christian Science practitioner, confronted with the belief of ebb and flow in his patient's condition, will do well to dwell upon the consistency of the Christ. To touch the hem of Christ's garment is to recognize in an impersonal way the unchanging nature of the man of God, or the man of good. Everyone can claim his sonship with God and can with conviction declare himself to be the man of good, for good is synonymous with God. Therefore as ideas of God we all express consistent good.

The moon, through its gravitational pull toward the earth, raises daily tides in a perpetual cycle. The earth, turning upon its axis, gives day and night. Chance and change hamper the career of mortals, but such changes are in no way a part of the man of God's creating. His lot is changeless good. The law under which he lives is not the law of material gravitation. He is one with his Maker and thus is an inseparable partaker of changeless and consistent good.

The more we recognize the changeless nature of Soul, the more satisfying and permanent will be our experience of good. In our family life it will result in long and happy associations. In our business experience it will be reflected in business devoid of ebb and flow. In our church work it will be seen in progressive spiritual experiences.

First of all, therefore, let us acknowledge the consistency of God, good, and of His Christ, or divine manifestation. Then let us realize that this truth concerning God and His Christ is practical in human affairs, for it is clear that the great truths proclaimed in Christian Science will be of little use unless they find expression in our daily lives. Our Master, Christ Jesus, surely meant us to understand that we are the inheritors of all good consistently expressed, for he said (Luke 12:32), "Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."

Robert Ellis Key

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit