Knowing God Aright

ERON INEZ LONDON

"Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!"—Job's prayer—is still echoing down the ages, reaching the ear of mortals as they struggle to extricate themselves from their difficulties. And it carries with it the desire for achievement. When eventually a severe testing time comes, the search for God begins in earnest, and a great effort is made to find and know God, and thereby discover a way out. Christian Science is revealing God to the world, not as a far-off Being, but as the living, loving, ever present God, who is ever available to help and heal.

On page 22 of the textbook, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, is found the statement: "Waking to Christ's demand, mortals experience suffering. This causes them, even as drowning men, to make vigorous efforts to save themselves; and through Christ's precious love these efforts are crowned with success." Christian Science teaches not only that it is possible to know God, but that only by such knowing, and the consequent courage and confidence such understanding inspires, is it possible to work out our salvation in the way Jesus taught, and so find freedom.

In the chapter "Recapitulation," on page 465 of our textbook, is asked the question, "What is God?" And the answer is given, "God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love." Mrs. Eddy further tells us these terms are synonymous and are "intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity."

To know God aright is the foundation stone on which must be built the structure of all successful endeavor in our defense against the onslaughts of evil, with its persistent claims to presence and power. Christian Science, teaching mankind how to declare and understand God's allness, also shows how error must be known as nothing. In Science and Health (pp. 224, 225) Mrs. Eddy questions the authority of error to reality when she asks: "What is this supposed power, which opposes itself to God? Whence cometh it? What is it that binds man with iron shackles to sin, sickness, and death? Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free." Then, in our efforts to know God, we must persistently refuse to believe the many claims of error to reality.

Early in our experience in the study of Christian Science we realize that in gaining an understanding of God as the only cause and creator, we are beginning to know His perfect effect as spiritual man and the spiritual universe. Indeed, in reasoning out the problem of being, it is impossible to separate God and man; for they are absolutely inseparable. A correct understanding of God and man applied in daily experience will purify and elevate existence, until all error is destroyed and perfection is reached. Jesus said, "This is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent."

Christianity has but one law for all conduct, shop, store, factory, mine, railroad, employers' association, labor union; the law of love based on the fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man. Love God and love thy neighbor. ... When Christ's law of love is put into all hearts, our industrial problems will be solved.—John McDowell.

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