The healing power of the divine Love

Love, as a synonym for God, occurs more times in “Atonement and Eucharist” than in any other chapter in Science and Health. How does this chapter define Love?

In the chapter “Atonement and Eucharist” in Science and Health, Love is defined as “our heavenly Father” (p. 40:25) and “divine Principle” (p. 35:20), and also as having healing power as its fruits: “We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, – casting out error and healing the sick” (p. 35:20–25).

On page 55 of Science and Health, Mrs. Eddy writes: “My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, – when he shall realize God’s omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind” (p. 55:16–21). As a reader, the article the in front of divine Love caught my attention. To me, adding the word the makes divine Love more active – not just what “it has done,” but what it “is doing.” Divine Love is helping us, casting out error, even now.

What is required to live as a transparency for Love, God?

In short, to live as a transparency for Love, God, we must give up all that is not spiritual. Jesus’ life shows us the way. Mrs. Eddy writes: “When the human element in him struggled with the divine, our great Teacher said: ‘Not my will, but Thine, be done!’ – that is, Let not the flesh, but the Spirit, be represented in me.” That petition has to be perpetual – to truly go to the Father as Jesus did and represent the Spirit. Mrs. Eddy writes of that prayer: “This is the new understanding of spiritual Love” (Science and Health, p. 33:18–22).

Christ Jesus often rebukes rabbinical error. How does a Christian Scientist fearlessly face down popular beliefs that oppose the practice of Christian Science?

In Luke 19:45-48, Jesus cleanses the temple. Christian Scientists must follow Jesus in this regard by not allowing false beliefs to have sway in our bodies. A physical healing I had showed me that I did not have to accept error as having a place in my body. I could take up the work in Science, and the truth of God as revealed to Mrs. Eddy would be enough to eradicate the error.

The same is true for our churches – any lack of love experienced in our churches is not from God, who is Love. This Love unites, refreshes, and attracts. We can face down false beliefs of apathy and unproductivity, reducing them to their native nothingness. God, Mind, is rightly active. We are His expressions and show forth His light continuously. “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (I John 1:5). The darkness vanishes at the coming of the light of Christ.

What are the benefits of building one’s life on the Rock?

Following Jesus’ sayings is like building one’s house on the Rock (Luke 6:48). The true building is unshakeable from the flood and streams of mortal existence. It is also more permanent. Hymn 216 says: “If ye God’s law can understand, / Ye have not builded on the sand.”

True building must be founded on unselfish love. As Mrs. Eddy tell us: “To build on selfishness is to build on sand” (Miscellaneous Writings, p. 298:15). Lastly, there is joy in spiritual building because a famous builder from the Old Testament tells us: “the joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10).