Spiritual Facts

by Albert M. Cheney

Jesus had the ability to discern instantly whatever he needed to know to present the truth properly to his hearers and prove his teachings. Often his enemies tried to ensnare him, so they could discredit his healing work. However, he was always ready to handle these situations through his perfect understanding, which could detect and defeat any phase of evil which these enemies attempted to use. Because of his mighty healings, there was no mistaking the fact that he was a prophet who was showing the way of salvation to everyone.

A man sick of the palsy was brought to Jesus for healing, and Jesus told the man to be cheerful, declaring that his sins were forgiven; but, “certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth.” Jesus “knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk?” Then, addressing the palsied man, he healed him instantly and told him to return to his own house.

One Sabbath day Jesus entered the synagogue and taught. The scribes and Pharisees watched him to see if he would heal the man with the withered hand, so that they could accuse him of breaking the Sabbath. Immediately he read their thoughts and asked them: “Is it lawful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil? to save life, or to destroy it?” He then said to the man, “Stretch forth thy hand.” And, “he did so: and his hand was restored whole as the other.”

Jesus’ spirituality enabled him to read people’s thoughts as distinctly as he could hear their words. This healing power and spiritual discernment is as demonstrable now as it was then. Jesus didn’t judge anything according to how it looked. He looked above and beyond it, and discerned the absolute facts; in other words, reality.

We may wonder, “How can I increase my spirituality?”, or, “Is it reasonable for anyone to expect to reach such spiritual-mindedness that he will be able to discern errors in the thoughts of others, and help to correct them, thereby healing sickness, sin, and death?”

Christian Science gives us the answers to these questions. The first requirement is a genuine desire for good, and a willingness to let go of the fear, doubt, and distrust of God’s ability and willingness to heal, and meet our every need. We need to study the Bible and the writings of Mrs. Eddy to increase our spirituality, and then begin to use the right ideas that unfold in our consciousness. Laziness, and failing to use our talents, will bring loss instead of gain. As we are faithful, expectant, and grateful, we can’t fail to demonstrate true spirituality.

Jesus said that his followers, in all time to come, should be able to do the works which he did. He relied absolutely on God, and overcame evil of every name and nature. It’s reasonable for any sincere Christian Scientist to expect to grow, and become spiritually-minded enough to gain the God-given ability to discern the nothingness of error and the allness of God, good.

Christian Science enables us to use our understanding to discern the spiritual facts about any situation, instead of blindly accepting what the material senses see. The results of this spiritual activity are all good. When the spiritual fact is understood, wiser and better decisions are made, health and happiness are gained, discord is replaced by harmony, and sorrow gives way to joy.

Published: Wednesday, June 15, 2016

Angels of Deliverance

by Albert M. Cheney

The Bible is filled with wonderful accounts of the deliverance of men and, in many cases, entire armies of men, from great danger by the power of God, led by His angels.

In old versions of the Bible, angels are portrayed as human beings with wings. Many people believe that angels live in a material place called heaven, which can only be reached by first passing through the experience called death. The mistaken theory that angels are beings with material forms, dwelling in a material habitation beyond the sky, is untrue.

Science and Health defines angels as, “God’s thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality.” Understanding the truth about angels brings with it an illumination of thought, and a rational explanation of how it is that angels are where God is, and manifest His infinite power and love.

The inspiring account of Daniel’s protection in the lions’ den is a definite example of how angels are at hand to help those who rely on God. Daniel was unafraid, and even though he spent the night in the lions’ den, he cheerfully answered the king’s greeting the next morning with the words, “O king, live for ever.” And in explanation of his deliverance he said, “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”

Christian Science reveals the immediate availability of God’s angels, the goodness and power of which is entirely adequate to rescue from danger, protect from sin, relieve from poverty, and heal the sickness and sorrow of those who seem to be in a hopeless situation.

Jesus more fully demonstrated the truth of being than any other individual, and he steadfastly relied upon the angels of God to guide and sustain him at all times. His recognition of, and reliance upon, the angels of God furnish an example for all who are his followers.

The experience of Gideon is an outstanding example of how a humble, obedient, and trustworthy person can entertain an angel of God, and receive guidance, protection, and deliverance from oppressive evil in all its manifestations. Although Gideon and his small band were outnumbered many times, and his valiant men were not equipped with the material weapons of warfare as was the enemy, yet, relying on the power of God, and the instruction from his angel visitant, Gideon completely routed all opposing forces and won a great victory. How true it is, that he who takes the side of God, the side of absolute right, will find that he is on the winning side!

Perhaps we may say, that times have changed since the days of Gideon and Jesus. God never changes. His power is forever the same. Man, God’s spiritual reflection, is as definitely the object of God’s love and protection today as he was in ages past. The relationship existing between God and man remains unbroken, uninterrupted, and harmonious. The passing of years and the changing beliefs of mortals can never interfere with the operation of the law of divine Love.

The prophets, apostles, and early Christians were well aware of the presence of angels, and many were delivered from danger, death, and imprisonment through a knowledge of this fact, and obedience to the commands which they were given.

As we journey on, trusting in God, the angels of His presence are our steadfast guardians in storm or calm. Even though we may be in the depths of fear and despair, with the clouds of error closing in upon us, with error telling us that there is no way out, yet there is always at hand, awaiting our acceptance, a pure angel thought, a God-sent message, which is capable of dispelling and destroying the erroneous condition or illusion of belief, and bringing about complete release and perfect healing. How comforting the words of the Psalmist are, “He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways”!

We never need to be helpless or hopeless, because God’s angels of deliverance are always at hand. These spiritual messengers light the way and lead to peace and rest. Mrs. Eddy stated with unparalleled clarity what angels are, and what they meant to her. She writes in Science and Health: “My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys.”