In the Christian Science Bible Lesson February 4, 2013 Issue

Every breath we take

For the Lesson titled "Spirit" from February 4 - 10, 2013

Karen Bailey

This week’s Bible Lesson, titled “Spirit,” begins, “The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life” (Job 33:4, Golden Text, English Standard Version). Since we are created by the one, life-giving Spirit, every breath we take is evidence of divine cause and effect, expressing divine Life in every aspect of our true being. The glory of Life is revealed through man’s spiritual individuality, and God’s promise of salvation and redemption for mankind, “Arise shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. ... and thou shalt know that I the Lord am thy Saviour and thy Redeemer, the mighty One of Jacob” (Isaiah 60:1, 16, Responsive Reading).

This light and redemption were evident in the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. When Nebuchadnezzar decreed every man “shall fall down and worship the golden image,” or he would “be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace” (Daniel 3:10, 11, citation 5), the three young Hebrews refused. Their spiritually enlightened trust protected them within the fire. Redemption came to the king through their triumph in the fiery furnace. He blessed their God and recognized the divine saving power. When we turn to the one Spirit, who creates, protects, and saves us, our lives, too, are preserved, regardless of the clamor of matter-based decrees or false predictions of sin, disease, or death. Our present faith-filled demonstrations of God’s tender loving care enlighten, heal, and bless our world, as well. Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy affirms: “Love has no sense of hatred. Life has no partnership with death. Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God” (p. 243, cit. 10).

Truth, Life and Love were evidenced in Jesus’ ministry. His teaching, preaching, and healing (see, for example, the healing of the infirm woman, Luke 13, cit. 12) enable us to understand our oneness with Spirit and to let our light shine today as Jesus did. He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (John 8:12, cit. 9), calling for discipleship. He also declared, “The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness of me” and “I and my Father are one” (John 10:25, 30, cit. 10). Science and Health explains: “Jesus taught but one God, one Spirit, who makes man in the image and likeness of Himself,—of Spirit, not of matter. Man reflects infinite Truth, Life, and Love” (p. 94, cit. 18).