Editorial April 17, 1971 Issue

Sowing and Reaping

Carl J. Welz

Christian Science reveals God as governing man with perfect justice. This throws a different light on the Biblical words, "God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap."^{Gal. 6:7;} From the traditional standpoint, one might conclude that a person who is suffering from a disease has done something wrong and his sickness is his punishment for his wrongdoing. But in the light of Christian Science, we can see that God, Truth and Love, does not make a person sick.

This does not in any way excuse one from the effects of evil if he is participating in it. Evil is a lie in every instance—a lie about God, who is good, and man, who is His reflection. Although a lie may seem to benefit someone who believes in it, the inevitable end of the lie is its own exposure as a lie. And one who has come to depend on the lie for happiness or security or status must either learn to depend upon Truth and Love or suffer as the worthlessness of what he is depending on becomes evident. In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Mary Baker Eddy says, "Every agony of mortal error helps error to destroy error, and so aids the apprehension of immortal Truth."^{Science and Health, p. 548;}

So sin does produce suffering, but suffering is not always the result of sin. On the contrary, suffering is often the result of a lie the victim is entirely innocent of. His innocence should protect him from the suffering, and it would, if he knew the law and applied it to protect himself. The law is that the divine Mind governs man justly. Knowing this, one can deny suffering by claiming his identity as one whom the divine Mind governs. He will check, of course, to see if his thoughts and acts are law-abiding and that he is honest in his efforts to serve God. And having done so, he will think and act in respect for the law. He has sown goodness, and he has a right to reap goodness. If this is done understandingly, the condition that causes the suffering will be healed.

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