Guided by Right Intuition

William P. McKenzie

"WE know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true," declared John. There have been many endeavors by means of translations to reveal the enlightenment of this message. The word translated "understanding" is used but three times in the New Testament and means whole mind or intuition. To the Ephesians Paul writes about the eyes of their understanding being enlightened, and warns them against those who have the understanding darkened; in one case, referring to the illumination of Spirit whereby insight is gained, and in the other to the loss of insight through dullness and ignorance, which estrange men from what is real, leaving them "alienated from the life of God."

John shows clearly that by understanding, that is by intuition, we become acquainted with the true God,—that indeed it was the mission of the Son of God to give us this insight so that we may actually and scientifically know the real God. Speaking of the mission of Christ Jesus, an eminent philosopher said it was "to restore the intuition." Mrs. Eddy has spoken of the guidance of right intuition in a way to quicken universal hope and faith and love. She says in "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 152): "Thus founded upon the rock of Christ, when storm and tempest beat against this sure foundation, you, safely sheltered in the strong tower of hope, faith, and Love, are God's nestlings; and He will hide you in His feathers till the storm has passed. Into His haven of Soul there enters no element of earth to cast out angels, to silence the right intuition which guides you safely home."

Because of spiritual intuition our Master was able to say to the Jews, "Ye are from beneath; I am from above." Those who were arguing with him showed that they belonged to the world below, and Jesus said that he was not of that world but belonged to the world above, the world of reality. It was this evidently that Peter had in mind when he said we "look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness." In the world below, or the material world, all inferences and judgments are wrong; hence men are not guided rightly; they are mesmerized by evil instead of being inspired by good. Pride and vainglory ultimate in ill will to men, in contest and warfare. In the real world there is peace, because that which rules is "the very God of peace." When one seeks guidance from Principle it is real wisdom that he is seeking, not so-called worldly wisdom, which is but the cleverness of the world below and partakes not of celestial order or divine revelation. When one is actuated by true wisdom its fruits are evident, for "the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy."

Wherever prevail views of life which are material, there visible possessions are sought for, and unseen qualities of Mind are unvalued; hence envy becomes the slave master, and love is not sought as the guide; the good report of the welfare of another arouses not joy but this demon which torments his victim. True intuition, however, leads to the valuing of right mental qualities, and the more they are exhibited in their fairness and loveliness by others, the more there is happiness. Because of justice, truth, kindness, honesty, anywhere manifested, there is true rejoicing. Here is where we are able to "rejoice with them that do rejoice," for these qualities bless and gladden all, both the manifesters and the appreciators of them. When we have true insight we are enriched by our neighbor's growth in grace and grandeur. In this respect wisdom justifies the proverb which says, "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace."

Our Master sought not to please but to bless mankind; consequently he had to rebuke the errors which darkened intuition. He faced violent opposition, for the descriptive words of Isaiah were as if written for the scribes and Pharisees of his time: "This is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the Lord: which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits." The practitioner of Christian Science in following the example given by the Master will be guided to rebuke unreality at the time when his heart is most tender with the recognition of reality. Mrs. Eddy, through her revelation, has been able to declare with John, "This is the true God, and eternal life;" and at the same time has rebuked that which denies reality. She says (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 272), "I have endeavored to act toward all students of Christian Science with the intuition and impulse of love. If certain natures have not profited by my rebukes,—some time, as Christian Scientists, they will know the value of these rebukes." And then she further says, "God bless my enemies, as well as the better part of mankind, and gather all my students, in the bonds of love and perfectness, into one grand family of Christ's followers."

William P. McKenzie.

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