Man's God-given Dominion

Duncan Sinclair

How often have men wondered if a way would ever be found out of the troubles of mortal existence, out of the sickness, sin, poverty, and sorrow which beset the human race! How persistent have been the efforts of many of them to find the solution of humanity's problem; or if not the solution, then a way to ameliorate the lot of mortals! Men rebel against the suffering which so often seems to be in evidence—their sense of justice causes them to do so; and time and again there springs up within them the hope that in the end mankind will find itself free.

That mortals in many instances have been able to make their lot and the lot of others less burdensome is true, but disease persists in claiming its heavy toll, sometimes sweeping through their ranks like a scourge; poverty is often widespread; sin is yet rampant; and sorrow sometimes seems overwhelming. Is there a solution? Can humanity be given a hope that there is? Christian Science says that there is a solution, and declares that it must come about through spiritual regeneration—through a change of thought on the part of individuals.

Now, what do mortals believe; what is the basis of most of their thinking? They believe that matter and evil are real. They believe that man lives in a material body, surrounded by material objects; that he is subject to what they call material law; that in consequence he is the victim of disease, and that disease reacts on the so-called human mind producing a sense of inharmony or distress. Mortals believe, also, that evil is real, and that in many ways it afflicts their lives, playing havoc in numerous instances with them.

What has Christian Science to say to this way of believing? It gives the lie to it; and in this way. Christian Science maintains that God exists as the one and only real power; that He is infinite Mind or Spirit, infinite good. Since God is infinite Spirit, it follows that what mortals call matter is unreal; and since He is infinite good, so-called evil is also unreal. There is therefore no foundation in reality for the belief of mortals that material existence, with its sin, disease, sorrow, and suffering, is real. Moreover, since Spirit is infinite and matter unreal, only spiritual law is real. Thus the conclusion is reached that disease and sin, the seeming effects of a material sense of things, are unreal, and without support from any real law.

Christian Science, then, presents to mankind an entirely different way of regarding mortal existence from that they have formerly pursued. And in doing so it shows how man's God-given dominion can be demonstrated. Mrs. Eddy writes (Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 228): "The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will some day assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God." And when that day comes, as come it shall for everyone, the truth contained in the words of the Psalmist will be apparent to all: "What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? ... Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet."

But dominion over material sense can be secured only through obedience to revealed Truth. No one can take a position halfway between Truth and error and expect to succeed in solving the problems of mortal existence: there must be whole-hearted allegiance to God and His law. This may sometimes seem not so easy, for material sense appears at times to be very persistent and its illusions very real. But dominion is assured to all who, having perceived the truth, understandingly adhere to it and persistently deny reality to materiality. And let it be remembered that the law of God is supporting every effort of men to realize that good alone is real, that harmony alone is real, and that spiritual man—God's creation—is free and happy and harmonious.

Although Christian Scientists have proved, often many times, that through spiritual understanding they have dominion over disease and sin and other evils incidental to mortal existence, nevertheless they have to be watchful lest they be taken unawares and fail to meet the falsities of mortal mind speedily and adequately should these suggest themselves. We should never be off guard, but ever vigilant and alert to detect error, always handling it speedily as aggressive mental suggestion, and by the spiritual truth which Christian Science has revealed to us. And may we remember our Leader's words on the page from which quotation has already been made: "There is no power apart from God. Omnipotence has all-power, and to acknowledge any other power is to dishonor God."

Duncan Sinclair

Send a comment to the editors

We'd love to hear from you!

Easily submit your testimonies, articles, and poems online.

Submit