Perfect government— a present reality
The imperfections that cling to human lawgiving and to government executed in accordance with it have caused mankind to long for an ideally governed country or for a miraculous change in the affairs of their own country or the whole world. The name "Utopia," borrowed from a work by the English author and statesman of Renaissance times, Thomas More, has often been used in this connection, but with the implication of the impossibility of achieving a perfect body politic. In fact, the word "utopia" now has come to imply impracticable, wishful dreaming.
Perfect government, however, is not only a possibility; it is a present reality. This is central to the Christian message, and Christ Jesus, right from the start of his mission, referred to it. The Gospel of Matthew reports Jesus' baptism and his rejecting of the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. Soon, we read, "Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Matt. 4:17 ;
This announcement—one might call it his manifesto—was not a threat but a joyous message, the gospel of the kingdom of God! Indicating not only its present actuality but also its spiritually mental nature, Jesus said at another time, "The kingdom of God is within you." Luke 17:21 ; In Science and Health, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, has this comment on the latter quotation: "This kingdom of God 'is within you,'—is within reach of man's consciousness here, and the spiritual idea reveals it." Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 576 ;
The political rule in Jesus' country was full of injustices, and the land was occupied by, and in important matters governed by, the mighty Roman Empire through its representative, the procurator. Jesus pointed out, in front of this representative, Pontius Pilate, that his kingdom was not of this world. The real kingdom—the kingdom of God—is not worldly, not physically tangible, but it can be experienced by anyone who is willing to acknowledge his citizenship in it.
How does this kingdom make itself felt? Through its government.
By whom is it governed? By God.
Now, the foundation of any government is the law. Without law no country can exist. And the kingdom of God is certainly governed by law—spiritual, perfect, and just, and therefore unhampered by the tyrannical whim of a single person or group of persons, or by well-meant but unsatisfactory compromises of different parties, organizations, or group interests. Since God is all-powerful and infinite wisdom, the law of His kingdom does not have to be changed for the better, and we need never fear it will ever be changed for the worse.
Jesus patiently tried to explain to his disciples and his other listeners what this kingdom and its lawful government are like. Particularly he used his parables to do so. And in what is called his Sermon on the Mount he implied that the commandments of the Old Testament were in a relevant way the moral equivalent of the divine law, which God's children obey as citizens of His kingdom. But he pointed out that this law—these commandments—was violated not only through wrong acts but even through erroneous thinking. It is within our consciousness that we have to accept our real identity as perfect ideas of God, as the sons and daughters of God, citizens of His kingdom.
When I was studying law, some sad events around me made it increasingly difficult for me to believe in a loving Father who knew everything, possessed all power, and yet permitted or caused so many terrible things. And how could He see all that happened and know the innumerable different events occurring in different places around the globe, not to mention the rest of the universe?
It was very helpful to learn in Christian Science that God is not a corporeal person, however magnified, and that He does love His creation, indeed is Love itself. God is Spirit, and His creation—His universe, man included—is spiritual, not material and vulnerable. It also appealed to my budding legal-mindedness to find Christian Science defined by Mrs. Eddy "as the law of God, the law of good, interpreting and demonstrating the divine Principle and rule of universal harmony." Rudimental Divine Science, p. 1 ; Studying this Science, then, is really studying law in its most perfect aspect, given by God, divine Principle, Love, and maintained by Him. His law, through its very existence, governs man.
But how does that in any way help mortals, faced with sickness, sinful acts, indecision—their own and that of others—injustice, poverty, and so on? How can His spiritual law, governing a spiritual kingdom, help answer questions in a physical world neither God nor His law knows about?
To begin with, it should be recognized that there are not two creations, two universes—the spiritual and the material. There is only one creation—the spiritual—no matter how strong the evidence of the physical senses may seem to be. There is actually only the creation where spiritual law governs. And there is only one law—the spiritual. God, the supreme and only lawgiver, does not know our supposed difficulty. But God supplies our real need! Our need is always a better understanding of Him, divine Mind, and His unchangeable, all-governing, spiritual law.
A man accused of having committed a crime—of having stolen a car, for instance—cannot plead not guilty on the ground that he did not know it was illegal to steal a car. Ignorance of the law, or mistake of law, does not absolve from punishment. One is supposed to know the law. In much the same way if we do not obey the law of spiritual government, either on purpose or out of ignorance, we may run into problems. It is as if we are being punished for acting against the law, even though we don't know it.
The inspiring and encouraging fact is, however, that man, God-created and God-governed, is never for a moment ignorant of God's law, according to which his life is eternally preserved. Jesus' entire career was spent in establishing his Father's reign by wiping out the errors of mortal existence. These are "caused" by mortal ignorance of God, of His kingdom, and of His law ruling the kingdom. The Christ message wipes out ignorance and the erroneous belief that man is a mortal, making imperfect attempts to follow imperfect human laws. It does so with the truth that man is spiritual, subject only to perfect spiritual law. Truth tells us what the law is and how to obey it.
Since God is Love, His laws always intend to, and do, give us freedom and joy, even if their demands, superficially seen, may appear to limit our possibilities or restrict our action. We have to be alert to acknowledge and trust only in God's loving and wise government. Doubting or evil thoughts are to be rejected as no part of man's real consciousness. As Jesus pointed out, the essence of God's law is the demand to love God and to love one's neighbor. Therefore our genuine desire to obey His law is always supported according to the spiritual love we consciously express, thereby reflecting divine Love.
As we realize that our primary concern is to be obedient citizens in the kingdom of God here and now, to support His government—always just and impartial, but also merciful and loving—we can expect to see more righteousness and justice unfolding in our daily experience. Also we will be able to better support righteous acts of government on the human level, in our nation, in our community, in the company or business where we are employed, in our church, or wherever. We can be confidently led to make right decisions, knowing that actually the government is the Lord's. And every one of us, employer or employed, custodian or corporation manager, needs God's governing direction.
We can know that there is no exception to God's government, whether the problem is small or large, whether the situation is happy or sad. If a friend or dear companion should pass away from our sight, in spite of the testimony of the physical senses and the events they seem to register, we should be confident— and begin to understand—that God's will is eternal life, everywhere and always. This is the scientific fact.
In the Manual of The Mother Church Mrs. Eddy requires, "It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to pray each day: 'Thy kingdom come;' let the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!" Man., Art. VIII, Sect. 4 .
As we—whether we are members of The Mother Church of the Christian Science denomination or not—pray daily in the spirit of this prayer, earnestly and with love for God and our fellowman deep in our heart, we will each day recognize more fully how divine Principle governs all in harmony.
Let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth.... And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment.
I John 3:18, 22, 23
