"Life ... the infinite I AM"

Duncan Sinclair

In her book, "Miscellaneous Writings" (p. 189), Mrs. Eddy says, "The Scriptures declare Life to be the infinite I AM,—not a dweller in matter." The sentence is an arresting one, riveting the attention as it does on two great facts, namely, that God, "the infinite I AM," is Life, and that Life is not in matter. Immediately after the words just quoted the reassuring statement occurs, "For man to know Life as it is, namely God, the eternal good, gives him not merely a sense of existence, but an accompanying consciousness of spiritual power that subordinates matter and destroys sin, disease, and death."

Now Christian Science gives the student the knowledge or understanding of God as Life and, consequently, and in the measure of his understanding, the power to subordinate matter and to overcome sin, sickness, and death. Christian Science declares that God is infinite as Spirit, Mind, or Life, and that, being infinite Spirit, nothing of an opposite nature exists as reality; or, in other words, that that which men call matter is unreal. Further, Christian Science maintains that since God, Spirit, is infinite Life, the manifestation of Life must be altogether spiritual.

What then of man? Christian Science teaches, as the Bible teaches, that man is the image or reflection of God; hence, that the real man is spiritual, reflecting Spirit, Life, unlimitedly. This is tantamount to saying that the Life of man, which has naught to do with so-called matter, is eternal. As these truths are apprehended, one sees how mankind will gradually be emancipated from the fear which seems at times to beset it so grievously, by gaining through divine Science the true sense of existence, and thus rising above false material sense, with its accompanying illusions of disease, sin, and death. Indeed, from the time one begins to perceive the truth that the real man is spiritual, without any least taint of materiality about him, one commences the demonstration of eternal life.

"With thee is the fountain of life"—the words of the Psalmist. Christ Jesus kept ever before him the truth which these words convey. Never during his ministry did his understanding of his unity with God, the Father, Life, waver. This is shown in the many wonderful works of healing he performed; for every healing of disease he brought about proved the unreality of so-called matter, just as every raising of the dead he accomplished proved the unreality of death and the eternal nature of life. And what could better substantiate his teaching of man's eternal reflection of Life—of immortality—than his own demonstration over the false belief of death? Evil, using benighted mortals as its tool, claimed that it could destroy the great demonstrator of Truth and Love, even going so far as to crucify him. But no; for on the third day after Calvary, on that glorious Easter morning, through his unparalleled understanding of real being he rent the tomb, and came forth healed and free, the victor over the illusion of death. Our Leader says of the great Way-shower in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. 44): "He proved Life to be deathless and Love to be the master of hate. He met and mastered on the basis of Christian Science, the power of Mind over matter, all the claims of medicine, surgery, and hygiene."

Students of Christian Science should be gaining an ever increasing understanding of Life and an ever deepening faith in their own understanding. We must not hold spiritual truth as merely theoretical; we should demonstrate it. As Spirit is seen to be the only real substance, matter should appear less and less substantial to us; and thus should its illusory claims, whatever form they may seem to take, be overcome. And thus, also, as Life is seen to be infinite and man is discerned to be the reflection of infinite Life, fear of death should decrease and longevity become increasingly apparent.

One will readily see how powerful is the understanding of the indestructibility of Life and its reflection in cases of sickness. Sometimes fear of death is the chief error to be overcome in a case. How paralyzing to right or healthy activity this error may claim to be! But fear of death can be destroyed by the realization of Life's omnipotence and omnipresence and of man's unbroken reflection of Life. The real man, God's image and likeness, is immortal; and he can neither sicken, sin, nor die.

Christian Science has come as the Comforter to men. It explains the works of the Master and shows the spiritual naturalness of his wonderful life, even of his resurrection and ascension. It holds out the promise of the final emancipation of mankind from evil of every description, including the last of its enemies that shall be destroyed—death. And it makes clear that, while this is being consummated, the health, happiness, and peace of mankind will increase, and sorrow, suffering, and sin diminish until they finally disappear.

Jesus' victory over death and the grave was a scientific demonstration. Christian Science shows how it was accomplished, inspiring its students in their endeavor to possess the Mind "which was also in Christ Jesus," that Mind which enabled him to rise victoriously above the mortal, material, temporary sense of existence.

Duncan Sinclair

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