"The sustaining infinite"

Duncan Sinclair

"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings." In these words Mary Baker Eddy begins the Preface to her great work, "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" (p. vii). How often, as they have been read, have they served to kindle hope! How often have they caused the sick, the sinning, the downtrodden, the sorrowful, to turn in thought to God—"the sustaining infinite"—with expectations of spiritual blessings! And in countless instances, through the study of the Christian Science textbook, these blessings have been realized in better health and purer lives.

How does one lean on "the sustaining infinite"? How can mortals depend on God for support when they may believe He is far remote from them? This is what many have questioned, and still question. No one who regards Deity in this way can be assured of succor from Him. The paramount necessity, then, is to understand His nature and that of the real man, and the relationship between them. For as this understanding is gained, one is enabled to lean on "the sustaining infinite"; and the blessings follow.

Christian Science teaches that God is the one and only cause. It teaches also that He is infinite Mind, and that He is expressed by man, His image, likeness, or reflection. God is thus cause, and man effect; and the real man is our true selfhood. This relationship between God and the real man has always existed, and will always exist. We lean on God intelligently when we become cognizant of the coexistence of God and man, and of the indissoluble nature of this relationship.

Consider what is implied in the unity existing between God and man, as cause and effect. It means that man reflects the qualities of perfect Mind. Thus, man is cognizant of love, goodness, purity, strength, happiness—indeed, of all the qualities of perfect Mind. But he is not conscious of a single quality that is not good, a single evil quality, since no such quality is to be found in God, the one and only cause. The real man does not advance from a state of imperfection to one of perfection; the real man has never fallen—he is and always has been perfect, complete. "Man is God's reflection, needing no cultivation, but ever beautiful and complete" (ibid., p. 527). Is not this spiritual truth something truly substantial on which to lean for support? The moment it is apprehended the light begins to break; for whoever understands it sees himself as no longer under a law of suffering, sin, and sorrow, but as governed by the law of God, divine Love, perfect and complete.

Let anyone begin to understand the fundamental teaching of Christian Science about God and man, and he begins to enjoy divine blessings. If he has believed in sickness as real, and that he is sick, he will lose this false sense and regain his health. If he has believed in evil as real and is indulging in sin, he will lose the false belief that evil is real and overcome the sin. If he has believed that his lot is one of hardship, he will find his burden lightening and restfulness taking its place. Poverty, too, will yield to a greater sense of abundance, and sorrow give place to happiness. The understanding that man is indissolubly at one with God, "the sustaining infinite," brings all these blessings—and more.

Christ Jesus understood his unity with God, his eternal coexistence with God. He said (John 5:17), "My Father worketh hitherto, and I work." He said also (John 18:37), "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth," adding, "Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." What marvelous power was his through reflection of Truth and Love! All manner of sickness was healed by his understanding of the perfection and completeness of man. All manner of sin was overcome by his knowledge of the allness of God and the unreality of evil. Jesus knew that God is perpetually operative through spiritual law, and that man continually reflects His perfect activity.

The manner whereby we can lean on God, "the sustaining infinite," is no longer in doubt. Christian Science shows that it is entirely scientific, a question of spiritual understanding which everyone may gain and apply for himself. God must be understood and man's relation to Him known. Then will follow the forsaking of the erroneous beliefs which hold mankind in bondage. And this means the gaining of harmony and health, and all the other blessings associated with spiritualized living. "To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings."

Duncan Sinclair

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Tolerant Firmness

February 11, 1939

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