Students of the Bible and of the writings of Mary Baker Eddy soon learn that God is Life and that God is Love; that Life and Love, both being names for God, are synonymous. And these facts become increasingly clear to them. However, just as it is easier to stand afar off and see the lofty mountain top than it is to ascend to that height step by step, so it is easier to gain the theoretical knowledge that Life is Love than it is to apply that truth in practice.

It is an accepted fact that self-preservation is a native instinct; and protection and defense of so-called material life are considered natural and right. But, notwithstanding the fact that Life and Love are synonymous, mankind has tried to maintain its sense of life with little, if any, corresponding thought of maintaining its sense of love. One desires life, and desires to have it "abundantly." And Christ Jesus said, "I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." One wants his life to be harmonious, continuous, eternal; but he may fail to realize that in order to have it so, he must maintain a true sense of love that is equally continuous and uninterrupted. He must claim, protect, and defend his sense of love just as he would his sense of life.

The rule by which mankind could accomplish this desirable end was given by Christ Jesus, who demonstrated the truth that Life is Love. Two thousand years later, Mrs. Eddy discovered and explained the modus operandi of the Science of Christianity, which shows the paramount importance of gaining and maintaining the sense of permanent spiritual love if one would "lay hold on eternal life."

Any seeming danger to one's human sense of life is met with instant and vigorous resistance to the utmost of one's ability. Joyous progress will result from equal alertness and activity in detecting, denying, and discarding any thought which might menace the continuous manifestation of love in human consciousness. It is wise to be awake to every peril in the path of human experience, to be vigilant in casting out any thought unlike God, Love. Doing this, we in a measure are obeying the Master's command, "Watch and pray."

The true sense of love must be protected from every false belief that would break its continuity. Anything unlike love is an obstruction which would interrupt progress in the unfoldment of divine Love to our consciousness. Hate and fear, the opposites of love, seemingly interrupt the continuous reflection of Love. The Apostle John declares, "There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear," a statement which plainly declares the need of maintaining a ceaseless sense of love; and this was the teaching which he received from his Master, Christ Jesus.

Spiritual man unfailingly reflects God, divine Love. The real man is the child of God, the offspring of divine Love. Therefore he knows and manifests Love in perfect bliss and harmony. Recognizing this truth of being, we must claim our birthright in order to enjoy it here and now. Mrs. Eddy writes in "Pulpit and Press" (p. 3), "Know, then, that you possess sovereign power to think and act rightly, and that nothing can dispossess you of this heritage and trespass on Love." It is our eternal right to reflect God, Love, in health, harmony, happiness, peace, and abundance of good.

Christ Jesus demonstrated the fact that life is continuous, imperishable, eternal. It was his understanding of God as Love that enabled him to behold the perfect man of God's creating, and thus to heal the sick and the sinful. His life was a perfect demonstration of Love. His love for God was manifested in his love for men. His every act was the result of his great love for God and man.

Practically and consistently Jesus refused to allow the current of his love to be interfered with by any false belief. Love, with its power to heal, filled his consciousness to the exclusion of all unlike love. What an example for humanity to cherish and emulate! The great Way-shower proved that love allows of no resentment. In the consciousness filled with love there is no element of hate. Christ Jesus understood God as Life and Love, and he was able to prove the continuity of life because he was able constantly to maintain his sense of love. He reflected Love uninterruptedly; therefore he demonstrated uninterrupted life.

The great revelator of divine Love to this age, Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science and the author of its textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures," taught, as before stated, that Life and Love are synonymous. The following lines from her exquisite poem "Love" (Miscellaneous Writings, pp. 387, 388; Poems, pp. 6, 7) give comforting and helpful assurance that God is Life and Love:

As his professed followers, we accept Christ Jesus as the great Way-shower, the one who has actually shown humanity the only way out of the problems and trials of material existence into the harmony, peace, and joy of spiritual being. "The way" is the pathway of love, which he trod patiently, persistently, and unwaveringly, demonstrating the abundance of life which is the reflection of Life, God. Our consecrated Leader also saw that the only way to demonstrate life eternal is to demonstrate love continually. In giving to the world her textbook, she illumined the pathway for all mankind, the shining highway which leads to eternal glory.

Let us, then, follow our Leader and prove in our own experience that Love is Life! Let us help to fulfill her desire (The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 301), "I would that all the churches on earth could unite as brethren in one prayer: Father, teach us the life of Love."