Article July 6, 2015 Issue

‘Love thy neighbour’—practical and possible

Carol Rounds

To follow Christ Jesus’ example and love unselfishly is one of the most important leadings in Christian practice and healing. Mary Baker Eddy uses many terms to impress upon her followers the importance of this. On page one of Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures she refers to “unselfed love.” And she includes “self-immolation” on that page as part of “God’s gracious means for accomplishing whatever has been successfully done for the Christianization and health of mankind.”

Later in Science and Health she makes the statement, “Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power” (p. 192). In the Church Manual, she directs the members of The Mother Church to adopt unselfish motives: “Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness” (p. 40).

I can know that no one ever dwells outside of God’s kingdom and reign.