In the fourteenth chapter of Acts we read (verses 8—10): "There sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked: the same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked."

There is no denying that the material picture before Paul testified to one who was crippled. It is conceivable also that because of this testimony there might have come to Paul the suggestion that the physical condition being of long standing, even from birth, much time might be required to bring about a complete healing. That Paul did not listen to such a suggestion but seized this opportunity to prove the healing efficacy of the ever-available, never-failing law of God, is apparent from the wonderful healing that occurred, for immediately the man "leaped and walked."

What was it that brought God's healing power to this individual? It was Paul's steadfast clinging to his understanding of the truth about God and man created in His image and likeness. Not the slightest concession to matter and its so-called laws did he permit to darken his discernment of the one infinite, omnipotent God, Spirit, and His spiritual creation.

Paul must have held steadfastly to the true concept of man, whom Mary Baker Eddy defines thus in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" under the marginal heading "Fleshly factors unreal" (p. 475): "Man is not matter; he is not made up of brain, blood, bones, and other material elements. The Scriptures inform us that man is made in the image and likeness of God. Matter is not that likeness. The likeness of Spirit cannot be so unlike Spirit. Man is spiritual and perfect; and because he is spiritual and perfect, he must be so understood in Christian Science. Man is idea, the image of Love; he is not physique."

It must therefore be concluded that what the apostle understood to be the truth about man was not what he saw with the material eye. He must have glimpsed the spiritual and perfect man of God's creating, who had never been a cripple or for one instant deprived of his freedom to exercise all his God-given faculties. Paul did not doubt the power of God—to whom he gave the entire glory—to heal this seemingly difficult condition immediately. The fact that he spoke in a loud voice implies that his spiritual understanding, or knowledge of the truth about man, gave him a steadfast, firm conviction from which the physical sense testimony could not dissuade him.

There was also steadfastness in the faith of the man who had been so long in that condition, because the Bible tells us that "he had faith to be healed." We find in this incident not only that Paul was steadfast in spiritual understanding, whereby he beheld the perfect man, but that the lame man was likewise steadfast in faith. This enabled him to expect and receive his healing.

Mrs. Eddy frequently uses the word "steadfastly." For instance, on page 495 of Science and Health she states: "When the illusion of sickness or sin tempts you, cling steadfastly to God and His idea. Allow nothing but His likeness to abide in your thought. Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious—as Life eternally is—can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not." In the account of this healing may be seen a healer whose "clear sense and calm trust" cling steadfastly to God and His idea, and the patient whose trust is steadfast and calm. What an irresistible union of thought for practitioner and patient!

The steadfastness which the Scripture ascribes to Paul could not have been a mere matter of momentary resolution; rather was it the result of spiritual inspiration and revelation born out of a Christian life and a demonstrable knowledge of the Science of Christianity. It is not a question of how serious a condition may appear to be, or of how long standing it is, but rather of how willing we are to relinquish our belief in its reality and to be steadfast in knowing the truth, or spiritual counterfact.

Every day brings new opportunities in many ways for steadfastness. In the present era there is much discussion about alliances among nations, states, and groups. Each such occasion is a new opportunity to be steadfast in knowing the scientific fact that the man of God's creating is eternally allied to Him and His infinite plan. By reason of this fact one may reflect the wisdom and intelligence to do that which is based upon the divine Principle, Love, showing respect and a Christly patience toward his brother.

Again, where there is the temptation to believe that because God's healing power has not been made manifest through our own prayers or those of other Christian Scientists, we should be steadfast in knowing that when the Word of Truth is declared for the purpose of healing, "it shall accomplish that which I [God] please" (Isa. 55:11).

Human doubts and denials should not be permitted to rob one of a desired and promised blessing. Doubts and negative thinking are not the steadfast mental qualities that produce affirmative results. Let it be remembered that we look not to person, but to God. And to Him we should never cease to look hopefully, trustfully, and with joyful expectancy.

When there is submission to the temptation to indulge in such human weaknesses as self-justification, self-importance, self-will, resentment, envy, and criticism, or to entertain a sense of doubt, fear, or discouragement, we are not holding fast to "that which is good."

On the other hand, as by calm trust, steadfastness, compassion, humility, forgiveness, patience, our lives attest the great truth about God and man, we gain a clearer realization of God, "who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases" (Ps. 103:3). In the words of a hymn (Christian Science Hymnal, No. 370):