"All things are possible"

Ella W. Hoag

Mankind is reaching out in many directions for greater accomplishment. In its insistent seeking it is always hoping for greater ability and opportunity, but because of depending on its own efforts even its apparent successes are but transitory, and no lasting satisfaction results. It might be said of egotistical humanity that it is "ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." Yet Jesus said, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth." And Jesus not only taught this, but also demonstrated it! He understood perfectly what it meant to believe rightly, for he never failed to prove that "all things are possible."

And what was the secret which Jesus grasped and for which mankind is still longing? He was the only one who understood perfectly how to depend absolutely on God. He knew he could do nothing of himself; and because of this complete reliance on God he had perfect faith that all things were possible to him. How could they fail to be when he refused to admit any power apart from God? Instead, he attributed all ability to the one infinite Father of all. He started with the invariable truth that "with God all things are possible," and then, refusing to claim any other power or to believe that divine, infinite power could ever be absent, he continually claimed his necessary unity therewith. For what did he say? "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise." Thus continually proving his own unity with God's power, Jesus understood that the same ability belonged to all who would work from the same standpoint. Therefore he said to the man who came asking him to heal his child, "If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth."

In spite of this, for over two thousand years Christian people had gone on failing to lay hold of this faith which makes all things possible. Still thinking of themselves as existing, and as having a mind, separate from God, they had failed to grasp the marvelous promise Jesus gave to his followers when he said: "Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith."

Christian Science again awakens the hopes of men, for it comes bringing to our remembrance all that Jesus promised. In "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 180) Mrs. Eddy tells us, "When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible." How exactly does this conform to Jesus' words and deeds! And at the same time, how plainly it defines the way to do as he did, — to be governed by God, the ever present Mind, to think only the thoughts of divine Mind! This is the way whereby all things may be proved possible by men to-day.

To be governed by ever present Mind not only involves the recognition of and the clinging to all good thoughts, but means an equal alertness and ability to renounce all that is not of God. Through the clear understanding which Christian Science reveals, the student is able to separate between the true and the false. He thus learns to cease believing in the material, corporeal concepts of God and man, which would hinder the relinquishment of personal doubts and fears. Were these believed, the demonstration of the all-power of God would be prevented. In other words, all men must learn to cease believing in evil and to believe only in God, good, if they are to find all things possible.

What a marvelous privilege is hereby presented to every Christian Scientist, — this privilege of proving the nothingness of all evil, all sin, disease, and death! Both the Bible and Mrs. Eddy's writings are full to overflowing of the possibilities of accomplishment which are open to all who will learn through Christian Science to be thus governed by God. In "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 183) our beloved Leader tells us that "man is God's image and likeness; whatever is possible to God, is possible to man as God's reflection." Then Christian Scientists need never doubt for an instant that as they rely absolutely on the divine Mind, — refusing to be governed by aught else, — they will at all times, under all circumstances, be able to prove that all good is possible to them as they reflect Him.

Ella W. Hoag.

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