Article September 11, 1978 Issue

What it means to be a Christian Scientist in Indonesia

[Original in Indonesian]

SRI RESMIWATI R. SUDIBYO

In replying to a question about correct self-identification, Mrs. Eddy makes an important statement: "You can never demonstrate spirituality until you declare yourself to be immortal and understand that you are so. Christian Science is absolute; it is neither behind the point of perfection nor advancing towards it; it is at this point and must be practised therefrom. Unless you fully perceive that you are the child of God, hence perfect, you have no Principle to demonstrate and no rule for its demonstration. By this I do not mean that mortals are the children of God,—far from it. In practising Christian Science you must state its Principle correctly, or you forfeit your ability to demonstrate it."The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 242;

To prove the perfection of God's idea, we have to think and act in accordance with the Bible statement, "For in him [God, Spirit] we live, and move, and have our being."Acts 17:28. We cannot dwell in the false belief that we are weak mortals with imperfect characters and ailing bodies. Until we change this point of view, we will not be able to demonstrate Truth.

How do we overcome erroneous thoughts? We can use the seven synonyms for Deity—namely, Soul, Mind, Principle, Spirit, Truth, Life, and Love to help us understand our true nature. God is Mind; so as the expression of Mind, we all reflect intelligence. God is Truth; therefore we are blessed with integrity. God is Life, which we express in useful activity, health, and harmony. In expressing God, Love, we are always able to overcome fear, or belief in the absence of Love; hate, or the opposite of Love; as well as passion, or the counterfeit of Love. And because God is Principle, there is a scientific way to conquer thoughts not in accord with God's law and to escape from every belief about matter.

Send a comment to the editors

NEXT IN THIS ISSUE

Article

Turning to the Father