Article March 14, 1988 Issue

Can we draw a picture of God's man?

To avoid limiting our expression of God, we need a better understanding of spiritual identity.

Marvin J. Charwat

How we perceive one another each day is vital. If we see ourselves, our family, friends, and business associates as mortal, physical persons, aren't we accepting the wrong picture? Man is really God's, Spirit's, beautiful image and likeness; and this, not physicality, is our true, spiritual, identity. As we look beyond outward appearances, we can think and see more in terms of God's man by discerning our—and our neighbor's— real identity in the expression of God-given good qualities. Utilizing this spiritual frame of reference, we gain a truer picture of God's man.

This picture of God's man, the glorious reflection of Spirit, can't be drawn or painted on canvas. For how could one sketch or paint the reflected radiance of invisible Spirit, God; the lofty, ineffable beauty of Soul, the infinite energy of Mind; the tender, all-embracing law of Principle, the vitality of intelligent, never-ending Life? Certainly we can glimpse hints of the divine qualities in a fine drawing, painting, or sculpture. But to perceive God's spiritual expression, man, we have to employ spiritual sense. "Spiritual sense," writes Mrs. Eddy in Science and Health, "is the discernment of spiritual good." ^{Science and Health, p. 505.}

Contemplating the nature, beauty, and form of God's intelligent, nonphysical man—His immortal idea—enriches our love of our fellowman. It helps us understand that everyone in his true identity is God's exalted creation.

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