God's Children

MARIE H. LACKEY

Mrs. Eddy, in the Christian Science textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 236), tells us that "Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right." This love is shown in the instance in the Gospel of Matthew where he was asked by his disciples, "Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" He called a little child to him and set him in the midst of them and said: "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven."

It is interesting and helpful always to remember that the same conditions of thought were prevalent in Jesus' time as in this present day. At the moment referred to the disciples were apparently thinking more of greatness in the kingdom than of the requisites for reaching that exalted state. This Jesus rebuked, and with true wisdom showed them that the first step was conversion, without which they could not even enter the kingdom, much less rule in it. Sometimes we, too, in our impetuosity and impatience to gain all in an instant, may lose sight of this great first requirement.

One cannot tell all that might have been in the thought of these students at that particular moment, but it would seem that through their experiences and demonstrations as disciples of Christ Jesus they had become somewhat elated and proud over victories won, and so had forgotten the essential qualities of childlikeness and humility. At least, Jesus at the time saw the need of rebuking them.

To convert means to change into another state, form, or substance; to transform. The word "conversion," as Jesus used it, means, therefore, to change one's manner of thinking from a material to a spiritual basis. This requires growth in spiritual understanding. Jesus proved God's universe to be spiritual; and he taught his students this truth, and how to use it. God, the divine Principle, or the one Mind, perfect through time and eternity, never changes; and man, God's spiritual image and likeness, cannot change either. The conversion of thought, or spiritual education, is, however, going on continually in so-called human consciousness, through the teachings of Christian Science, as discovered by Mary Baker Eddy.

The world is being healed. Marvelous things have already taken place; and, as we know, all things are possible when God is understood. So let us rejoice at the upward trend of thought, and look forward hopefully to the establishment of God's kingdom here on earth; but let us not forget that conversion is an individual demonstration. No one can make the demonstration for us. Each must and can work out his own salvation. God is good; therefore good is reality. It is a joy to know this, and to work for God, good. Perfect ideas, emanating from God, ever active and contructive, cannot be tired or worn out. Divine Principle perpetuates them. They become more apparent to us through our use of them.

We know what happened to the unused talent; and we should not be tempted into indolence. Let us also remember the vast difference between childishness and childlikeness. Childishness should be outgrown; childlikeness retained. Childlikeness savors of purity, honesty, sweetness, sincerity, receptivity, gentleness, obedience, and trust. These beautiful qualities must be constantly and consciously with us, in order that we may enter into the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus also specified that the rewards of the kingdom followed after the entrance of these receptive thoughts. Did he not mean that that high state of thought was but a fuller understanding and demonstration of these qualities in their completeness? What could be higher before God than true humility? True humility connotes an understanding of man's unity with God, and the demonstration of it. Humility realizes that of itself it can do nothing, and also that through this unity it can do all things.

In the definition of "children," in the Glossary of Science and Health, we are shown very clearly and concisely by Mrs. Eddy (pp. 582, 583) that God's children are "the spiritual thoughts and representatives of Life, Truth, and Love ... not in embryo, but in maturity."

In the Christian Science Sunday Schools all over the world are great numbers of dear little ones who have shown by their demonstrations that their clear spiritual insight is not dimmed by doubt. Truth is true, they know. God is All. That is enough! Their beautiful example is an inspiration and a constant reminder of the value of humility. It shows us what Jesus meant when he said, "I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes."

In "The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany" (p. 188) we read, "As you work, the ages win;" and truly this is so. The contemplation of our work as something more than an everyday humdrum experience; to see ourselves as workers for humanity throughout all time; to know that each task well done, each slightest demonstration of the truth, is helping all mankind in ages yet to come, so lifts our consciousness above the cares and trials of to-day that our problems seem to dwindle into insignificance, and melt away before the grandeur of God's mighty work and the knowledge that we have a part in it, small thought it may seem to be. "As you work, the ages win"! May not we say also that, as we daily work for God, the ages—infancy, youth, maturity—are blessed? What more could we desire?

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