Ignorance is not a quality of God, and it is no part of man, for all that man is emanates directly from God. If something does not come from God, then it can't be really good, or even true, so it can't possibly occasion any bliss. The only blissful condition it might engender would be precarious indeed, liable to be swept away at any minute because based on the premise that what we don't know can't hurt us. Plainly, this is a fallacy. Being unaware of threatening danger will not ensure being immune from it.

In the Christian Science textbook, Science and Health by Mrs. Eddy, we read, "Ignorance of the error to be eradicated oftentimes subjects you to its abuse." ^{Science and Health, p. 446;} Being forewarned of error and recognizing it does not mean accepting error as real. It means being alerted to the opportunity and necessity of rendering it powerless by knowing its unreality.

Would we rather be considered innocent than ignorant? The former word carries kinder connotations. The meaning of each, however, is quite different from the other, and they can't be used synonymously. Innocence is the natural state of man in God's likeness. Humanly, we are all ignorant in some spheres, however knowledgeable we may be in others. The important thing is to make sure it is not God's law of which we are ignorant. The necessity is to know that we can't be ignorant of any truth of being necessary to our spiritual enlightenment.

Man can no more be ignorant of that which God bestows than he can be fearful, wicked, or in pain. He no more lacks spiritual understanding than does God, whose image and likeness he is. No vacuum needing to be filled with facts exists in Mind, for Mind already expresses the completeness of all-knowing, and by reflection man expresses naturally all that is God's. Ignorance depends on mortal mind's projected concept for its only appearance of validity, and since mortal mind itself is illusionary in origin, it follows that anything propagated from it, however real it seems to human sense, is nothing but the false proclamation of a pseudo power.

At this stage of our development specific education is usually necessary if we want to advance in any direction. Spiritual enlightenment is no different in this respect; for though it does not depend on academic training or intellect, it does call for systematic study and dedication, as well as for inspiration. This so illumines consciousness that it breaks free of material limits.

Generally, the spiritual understanding that precedes regeneration does not just happen. It requires continuing prayer and scientific application on our part, and only after some progress Spiritward does it become clear that recognition of the infinite unfoldment taking place is needed, rather than mere accretion of knowledge. Speaking of spiritual progress, Mrs. Eddy comments, "Mortal thought does not at once catch the higher meaning, and can do so only as thought is educated up to spiritual apprehension." ^{ibid., p. 349;} Our privilege is to take advantage of every avenue open for the furtherance of our spiritual education.

It is constantly attending to the physical senses that leads us to believe in a material concept of man and everything relating to mortal existence. When we begin, through spiritual sense, to learn the real spiritual selfhood of man, the allness of God, the nature of the universe, and the unlimited potential awaiting us in Life that is infinite Love, we are educated out of belief in the body as a controller of our destiny and into knowledge of Spirit. And we are able to demonstrate the truth of being, at least to a degree.

Obviously, it's no good learning if we don't make use of what we learn. The new driver is out on the roads giving practical evidence of his driving ability. Just so, we apply in our daily lives the understanding gained by consecrated prayer, study, and research, by spiritual consciousness of Life, Truth, and Love, and by humble obedience to the unchanging law of good, God.

Quoting an English poet, Mrs. Eddy observes that there is truth in his statement: "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise." ^{ibid., p. 175;} Indeed, there are some forms of error about which the less we know the better. There can be no benefit, for instance, in rehashing morbid details of crime or disease, repeating harmful gossip, experimenting with vice, or acquainting ourselves with superstitious belief. But throughout her writings Mrs. Eddy calls on us to make it our business to understand fully the pretensions, subtleties, and methods of error in order to reduce false claims to nothingness.

When evil makes a bid to establish itself in thought—and there is no other place it can establish itself, though to mortal sense it may appear as physical distress, financial disaster, mental instability, painful human involvement, or learning difficulties—we can take a good clear look at the claim and in the light of Truth see it for what it really is: a lie, from start to finish. And therein lies its falsity, for it has no beginning and no ending. Why? Because God didn't make it. God makes nothing but good. Nothing emanates from divine Mind but good. Therefore evil's only claim to existence is externalized human belief.

How spiritually uninformed the world would be had Jesus never walked the earth, or had he failed to reach the sublime spiritual heights foretold by the early prophets! He taught and demonstrated that the real man's being is eternal, indestructible, that true enlightenment is not the result of material education but is available to all men everywhere when they are willing to accept the allness of God and the activity of the Christ in human consciousness.

Mark's Gospel tells us: "And when the sabbath day was come, he began to teach in the synagogue: and many hearing him were astonished, saying, From whence hath this man these things? and what wisdom is this which is given unto him, that even such mighty works are wrought by his hands? Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary, the brother of James, and Joses, and of Juda, and Simon?" ^{Mark 6:2, 3.}

Not academic learning but spiritual at-one-ment with the Father enabled Christ Jesus to bless, heal, and uplift others. We can do likewise to the extent that the Christ is active in us, that we are receptive to God's directing, realize His allness, and are willing to prove what we already know of man's uninterrupted unity with Him.

Not materially but spiritually we align ourselves with the all-knowing God. So to progress spiritually, we must peel away the layers of ignorance that would impede us and seek always a purer, clearer comprehension of God, man, and the universe.

Plainly, this kind of learning does not result in a static store of laboriously learned facts, but is a divinely inspired, illuminating, healing, ever-expanding and renewing study, continually opening out the unlimited variety, spontaneity, and originality of infinite Truth.

As we find in other fields of education, we don't take in facts all at one gulp. And in Christian Science we advance in the light of revelation, trial, and triumph, conscious always of the Father's loving care and control, not trying to demonstrate way ahead of what we understand but ready at all times to take the forward step of proving what we now know.

To this end God works with us.