"KINGDOM OF HEAVEN. The reign of harmony in divine Science; the realm of unerring, eternal, and omnipotent Mind; the atmosphere of Spirit, where Soul is supreme."

- Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 590

The penultimate chapter in "Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures" is a glossary, in which Mrs. Eddy defines Biblical terms in their spiritual sense. It includes spiritual definitions of many of the characters in the Old Testament, which can be very helpful when trying to understand the spiritual significance of Old Testament accounts. In this definition of the "Kingdom of Heaven," I was particularly struck by the first phrase, "The reign of harmony..." This means that harmony is sovereign! It has all-power. Therefore, our lives are subject only to divine harmony.

Added June 20, 2009.

"When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible."

- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy (p. 180)

This statement gives the qualifier, "man governed by God," to demonstrate Jesus' words, "all things are possible to him that believeth" (Mark 9:23). What does it mean to be "governed by God"? For starters, this would include turning one's life and activities over to God and knowing that He governs them, knowing that God is all-powerful and always in control. We can't be outside of His control, we can't be affected by unpredictable events. Yielding to God and His harmonious government of our lives keeps us safe from disease and disaster.

Added June 10, 2009.

"...I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth..."

- St. Paul in Romans 1:16

The gospel of Christ is the good news about the Kingdom of God. What is this good news? It's that by knowing God as Jesus knew Him and taught about Him will heal disease. Mary Baker Eddy in her "Message to The Mother Church, 1902" says that the gospel of Christ reiterates that God is Love (p. 5), which is the central theme of Jesus' preaching. One of the things I like about this verse from Romans is that it equates the gospel of Christ to salvation for everyone who believes. What is salvation? In Eddy's work, Science and Health, it is defined as, "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all; sin, sickness, and death destroyed." (p. 593) Salvation is available to all of us!

Added June 8, 2009.

"Where the spirit of God is, and there is no place where God is not, evil becomes nothing, -- the opposite of the something of Spirit."

- Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy

Think of it - God is everywhere! There is no place where He is not. This means that wherever you are, no matter the circumstances, He is there and you can reach out to Him for help. As St. Paul says, "...where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty." (II Cor. 3:17) Freedom from what? Freedom from any inharmonious situation, whether health-related, relationships, or world issues. You cannot be touched by evil, because there is no room for it when God fills all space.

Added June 7, 2009.

"It is easier to desire Truth than to rid one's self of error. Mortals may seek the understanding of Christian Science, but they will not be able to glean from Christian Science the facts of being without striving for them. This strife consists in the endeavor to forsake error of every kind and to possess no other consciousness but good."

- Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy

Webster's online dictionary indicates that "strive" includes "notions of persistent, vigorous exertion to overcome opposition or hindrance". Yes, understanding one's spiritual identity often takes persistent, hard work, but the rewards are worth it. This passage from Science and Health gives us a couple of simple ways to carry out this work: 1) to abandon anything that is not true according to God and 2) to only be conscious of good. It may take a lot of self-discipline to keep this work up on a moment-by-moment basis, but the results will be healing.

Added October 30, 2008.

"Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you..."

- Matthew 5:44 Love

Wow! Jesus teaches us to love, bless, be kind to, and pray for our enemies. How can we do that? Sometimes it's a matter of finding one God-like quality the so-called "enemy" expresses. For instance, see this "enemy" as reflecting Life. Be grateful that s/he reflects the strength, vigor, and activity of divine Life. Understand that these qualities begin with God and are reflected by His entire creation. Affirm that you can only experience the harmony of God's creation and that your interactions with His creation can only be harmonious. Make a list of the good qualities your so-called "enemy" expresses. Affirm their expression throughout God's creation, including you, and be grateful for them. Then, move on to the qualities this "enemy" doesn't seem to express. Affirm their existence as qualities of God, expressed by His entire creation. Redouble your effort to express these qualities. Know that they are the Truth, regardless of what your human experience seems to report. Consistent prayer in this manner will resolve the situation.

Added October 29, 2008.

"And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure."

- Science and Health, by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 497

This is the sixth tenet of Christian Science, the last of six principle points that describe our religion. It reflects Jesus' teachings. 1. To watch: See Mark 13:32-37. Here Jesus is referring to the return of the Christ, after his departure. I think he's telling us to watch for the continual reappearance of the Christ as we live our lives in accordance with his teachings. 2. To pray for that Mind which was also in Christ Jesus: See Philippians 2:5. Here Paul is urging us to have the attitude of Christ. 3. The Golden Rule: See Matthew 7:12. This is Jesus' command to treat others, even our enemies, in the same way we would like to be treated. 4. To be merciful, just, and pure: See Matthew 5:7, 8, two of the Beatitudes. These attributes are the core of Jesus' Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7), which teach absolute and unconditional love for all of God's creation.

Added October 28, 2008.