Abiding in Truth

ALBERT E. MILLER.

Jesus said, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you." No better definition of the modus of Christian Science can be given in so few words. It deals directly with consciousness, and shows the necessity for looking at the thought within if we would win health and freedom from the bondage of disease and sin.

In dealing with disease it is necessary for the Christian Science practitioner to know something of the patient's thought, because of the intimate connection between thought and the physical condition. It is true that God is all power and that in reality nothing can influence us to make us sick. It is, however, humanly believed that there are many things which cause sickness. Christian Science shows sickness to be the result of sin: and, furthermore, it defines sin as anything which manifests a belief in a power apart from God,—in other words, anything which violates in any particular the First Commandment. It is, therefore, required of each one of us that we carefully watch our thoughts and let nothing enter in which is in the slightest degree sinful. For instance, if we believe implicitly in God and in His protecting care, it follows that nothing can harm us, and as a result we find ourselves in the enjoyment of the fulness of health. If, however, we believe that mortal conditions can in any way affect or injure us, and if, instead of casting this belief out of our consciousness whenever it tries to assert itself we cultivate and entertain it, we finally discover that we are dwelling in "a kingdom divided against itself."

It is a startling yet true proposition, that no one can afford to believe that he has been injured by another. He cannot afford to believe that any part of God's creation could injure him, nor can he afford to believe that aught else has power to injure him. There is no choice in the matter. If one persists in holding to a thought of this kind, it finally reacts and may even produce the very condition, in human experience, which he fears. It therefore becomes necessary at all times to declare the truth, even if mortal sense insists that the declaration is inconsistent with facts. We should remember that no human hand can possibly withhold God's rich gifts from His children.

We can trust God entirely. We should maintain and insist that God is at all times and under all conditions governing our affairs, and then we will find that no circumstance can arise to deprive us of anything which rightfully belongs to us. Fear must be controlled. Every time we doubt God's power to heal and care for His children, we are building up fear, and wherever fear has possession error has entered. As fear is replaced by trust in God, disease disappears. If we insist that we cannot be deprived of a single thing, the thought of deprivation will soon be found to have nothing in common with us, and will leave us in full possession of our heritage.

To know, as Isaiah says, that "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper," is to avail ourselves of the only true protection. Whenever at a loss to find a solution for a difficult problem, we should begin with the statement of truth respecting it, and know that Mind governs the universe, including man. We should hold fast to the thought expressed on every page of Science and Health, that all supremacy is vested in omnipotent good; then all fear of the power opposed to God will disappear.

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit