Editorial May 16, 1953 Issue

THE HEAVENLY ORIGIN OF MAN

Robert Ellis Key

When the seventy disciples returned from their successful mission of healing they expressed surprise that evil had yielded so readily to Truth. The sick were healed by the truth the Master had taught them, and they rejoiced in their newfound, God-given powers. "Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name," they said (Luke 10:17). Perhaps Jesus traced a note of pride in their words; perhaps they thought of the healing work as a personal achievement. His loving rebuke is significant, "Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven." Rejoice not in the human evidence, but in the spiritual fact. Rejoice that you have understood man's heavenly nature. Should we not rejoice today in this great discovery given us through Christian Science: that man has a divine nature, a heavenly origin, spiritual and perfect, wholly derived from God?

The sick are healed in Christian Science through the spiritual discernment of man's divine nature. It is important for us to realize that our names, or natures, are not mortal but divine, not material but spiritual. If this great fact is clearly understood, then "even the devils are subject unto us," and through discernment of man's Christlike nature we see evil disappear from our experience. This is, perhaps, the significance of Jesus' words (Luke 10:18), "I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven."

Our need is for the spiritual discernment which sees error separated from Truth, Truth triumphant, health natural; Spirit, the only substance; harmony, the real. Mary Baker Eddy writes in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 14): "Become conscious for a single moment that Life and intelligence are purely spiritual,—neither in nor of matter,—and the body will then utter no complaints. If suffering from a belief in sickness, you will find yourself suddenly well." It is natural that we should find ourselves suddenly well when we understand our spiritual and God-created selfhood.

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
Article
Notices
May 16, 1953
Contents

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit