In the Christian Science Bible Lesson April 7, 2014 Issue

'Really free!'

For the Lesson titled “Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?” from April 7 - 13, 2014

Mary Trammell

For me, this week’s Bible Lesson answers the question “Are Sin, Disease, and Death Real?” in a very practical way. Just before reading it, I’d found out that—through my own clerical error—I’d managed to miss an important deadline and inconvenienced several very special friends. They were all most understanding, but I was so put out with myself that I could hardly think clearly to get started on correcting the error. But the message of this Lesson soon settled on my thoughts with healing comfort.

You can imagine what a relief it was to read the Apostle Paul’s jubilant announcement in the Golden Text: “Christ has set us free! This means we are really free” (Galations 5:1, Contemporary English Version). It was his way of telling the church members in Galatia that they were no longer considered sinners under the old Mosaic law, but that the new law of Christ had freed them to be the cherished sons and daughters of God.

As I soaked up the rest of the Lesson, which expands on the theme of freedom from sin, as well as disease and death, I was able to forgive my misstep—and move on. Section 1, for instance, begins with thanking God “who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with lovingkindness and tender mercies” (Psalms 103:2–4, citation 1). And the Contemporary English Version’s rendering of verses 3 and 4 offers a direct counter to the supposed triumvirate of sin, disease, and death: “The Lord forgives our sins, heals us when we are sick, and protects us from death.”

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