Article July 14, 1980 Issue

Unfailing vitality

EARL E. HARRIS

We make a mistake when we believe we live in a material structure called a mortal body and that we are subject to its variation and deterioration. This theory is contrary to God's law as lived and taught by Christ Jesus. His mighty acts were always accomplished by his unequivocal dependence on God's invariable and eternal law. He told those who denied his authority, "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;} Our reliance upon God is first and always the absolute necessity, an indispensable requirement in mastering debility, sin, illness.

Feelings of old age and weakness may dispute the fact that life is everlasting. Yet more than once Christ Jesus insisted that eternality is the reality of man's being. Mortal life with its vulnerability can seem confusing. We must be on guard against the false suggestions of evil. Paul warns, "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil."^{Eph. 6:11;} Anyone who hopes to master the claims of the material senses must be firm in depending on God, not matter, for life and health. Mortal mind's vagaries might make us believe that the body governs us, but the body as matter has no intelligence or power to do anything.

Man is deathless because he is spiritual. Age and time are less and less intimidating for those who understand man's true, immortal nature. Christian Science is the Science of Life. When utilized, this Science eliminates limitations of any sort. Our Leader, Mrs. Eddy, writes: "Take possession of your body, and govern its feeling and action. Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man."^{Science and Health, p. 393.} This rousing appeal reached me when I was forced to decide whether to settle down in retirement and accept physical inactivity, or to challenge society's view that a man of my age should relinquish independence, leaving to others the tasks requiring effort and stamina.