Article April 5, 1975 Issue

Identity and the Kingdom of God

ARTHUR MANZO

Identity is God's reflection, the kingdom of God, or consciousness of divine Love, individually expressed. Therefore man has a direct relation to harmony. He needs no intermediary. Mrs. Eddy writes, "Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love," and she goes on to say, "Soul is the substance, Life, and intelligence of man, which is individualized, but not in matter."^{Science and Health, p. 477;} As we learn more of this kingdom, or true consciousness, and express it, we grow in stature, our lives become fuller, our mission becomes clearer, our days unfold in beauty and service. Identity becomes more clearly defined.

Mrs. Eddy promises: "Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul."^{ibid., p. 60;} Soul's infinite resources unfold to those who hunger and thirst after righteousness. The spiritually-minded are learning to find and possess them; but first the love of good must grow stronger. All right ideas are already established in God, Mind. The spiritually minded consciously express them.

One of the components of the kingdom is joy. The child is spontaneously joyful. Adults can be also, and they should be consciously so. Joy includes an awareness of the perfection of the ever-present now, the expression of purity, the exercise of fearlessness, and a deep assurance of God's love. We can know when we are identifying with the kingdom, for joy will be spontaneously expressed. Then we share in the benefits of the kingdom, express its nature, become equipped with its power, and rely on it for our resources.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Is It Right to Want Material Goods?