These words are those of Christ Jesus, as many of you will recognize. And they are found in John 8:36. And they are inspiring this entry. I owe to the teachings of the Science of Christ, Christian Science, lasting gratitude for many reasons. But one I'm thinking of right now is the way it frees us from relationships, from alliances, from mental influences, that are not for our good.
I could cite several examples of the way turning more and more to God, the one divine Mind, for guidance in all aspects of our lives, develops in us a discriminating consciousness. But the one that stands out involves an individual in my neighborhood. While well meaning, this lady became rather willful in deciding what I would do, and not do. The Discoverer and Founder of my religion points out in her book, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, "Will-power may infringe the rights of man." One will find this on page 144. And certainly, if we allow ourselves to be drawn unnecessarily into someone else's mental orbit, it can play havoc with our harmony and peace. Our thinking belongs to us. It is our divine right to be controlled by God, and not individuals. As I have learned, we do not want others to interfere with God's government of our lives. Too much depends on our being attuned to our Father and what He sees is best for us
For those of you reading this blog for the first time, who are not acquainted with what Christian Science teaches about our relationship to God, the one Mind, the following might be enlightening and helpful to you:
It is sublime to think about, and it is divine fact, that God is actually our Mind and that we therefore include, as His expression, the unfoldment of all we need to stay free of adverse mental influences coming at us. It's our privilege to prove that no matter how subtle or compelling the mental force might claim to be, nothing can come between us and God. Our clear realization of this truth individualizes deific power in our lives.
You and I can learn to handle evil mental influences with increasing assurance, because we are really one with the all-knowing and always-directing Mind. Thus God's voice can be heard at all times, in any place, under any circumstance.
Growing rapport with God, good, brings us more of the remarkable ability Christ Jesus had to discern errors' claims, yet not be affected by them. Commenting on the Master's healing of the woman with an issue of blood, Mrs. Eddy says in "Unity of Good", "When Jesus turned and said, 'Who hath touched me?' he must have felt the influence of the woman's thought; for it is written that he felt that 'virtue had gone out of him.' His pure consciousness was discriminating, and rendered this infallible verdict; but he neither held her error by affinity nor by infirmity, for it was detected and dismissed."
I have found this so helpful in showing me that I should not be either fascinated with adverse mental influences trying to come at me, nor be fearful of them, either of which would render me spiritually undefended, weak. Neither "affinity nor infirmity."
Will an individual who possesses a strong mentality that may be at variance with ours always step back gracefully? No, they won't. Sometimes they will try to keep a hold on us, either through personal fascination or habit. Or, as I have discovered, a desire to turn one from Christian Science. Yes, this does happen, more than one might think. It may be hidden for a long while, but the real agenda does come to light when our desire is to follow in Jesus' footsteps and be as obedient to God's leading as we can. And we cherish prayerfully the Christ, Truth revealed to mankind by Mary Baker Eddy. God does adjust the human situation in the most amazing ways, and I cannot thank Him enough for His intervention along these lines.
The sublime words of our great Master, the divine teachings of Christian Science, are far too precious to not defend and perpetuate. Not only for us, but for millions in need of the freedom Christ alone can give.
