Article December 2, 1972 Issue

Dominion

GEORGIANA LIEDER LAHR

Everyone longs for dominion, for the ability to cope with the many problems that are part of human life. Is this too much to ask? In speaking of the mighty works of Jesus, the Bible states, "He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes."^{Matt. 7:29;} Christ Jesus promised that we also could do the works he did.

But one may ask how it is possible to have dominion and authority in every circumstance. Jesus said, "I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me."^{John 5:30;} Relying only upon God, and always doing God's will, Jesus healed sin and sickness and overcame death. An essential in gaining dominion in human affairs is a correct understanding of God and man. Spiritual man is the perfect reflection of God, forever at one with his Father, divine Principle, always obedient to God's will. A materially-minded mortal, the man we seem to be, tends to follow his own willful ways, and therefore seems to be the pawn of false beliefs: sin, sickness, and death. Not claiming his divine sonship and perfection, he finds it difficult to express dominion.

In contradistinction, spiritual man, the only man we really are, is upheld by the omnipotent, perfect law of God. Identifying ourselves correctly, we can claim that we are forever at one with God's infinite law of perfection. We can know that "the steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord: and he delighteth in his way."^{Ps. 37:23;} What a joy it is, and what dominion it brings, to know that every step an individual takes is guided by God when the individual is being obedient to the will of God and is keeping God's commandments! A correct understanding of the perfection of God and His reflection, man, is the first step toward dominion.