This week’s Bible Lesson from the “Christian Science Quarterly” on the topic of “Christ Jesus” includes this statement from him: “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).
What does it mean to be a disciple? Webster’s Dictionary defines it as “one who accepts and assists in spreading the doctrines of another.”
So does that mean we have to go around knocking on doors telling people about Jesus’ works? Looking closer, that’s not what Jesus asked.
Jesus’ command was to “continue in [his] word.” This directive doesn’t ask us to proselytize other people. It conveys that what we can do is align our own lives with his teachings – and that’s really the only thing we’re responsible for doing.
Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says it best in her textbook, “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures”: “To keep the commandments of our Master and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done” (p. 4).
The Gospels are full of Jesus’ teachings and works, including his Sermon on the Mount, parables he shared with his disciples, and countless healing acts. But across all of this, Jesus left us explicitly with two “great” commandments: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself” (Matthew 22:37-39).
Another name for God is Love, as the Bible teaches (see I John 4:8). As infinite Love, God cares for His children – which we all are – providing us with abundant good, joy, and peace.
And Christian Science uniquely explains that because we are God’s spiritual offspring, we reflect God’s nature – including His endless love. This means it’s natural for us to love God, as well as our neighbors, who are our brothers and sisters in God’s family.
The spiritual reality that love is inherently part of our nature as God’s offspring empowers us to do what’s loving and right, even if it seems as if we might be disadvantaged by it, as it seemed to me once when faced with a moral dilemma.
One day some years ago, I discovered that my employer at the time was overpaying me on a recurring basis. My first thought was something along the lines of “Ha! Lucky me.” But after a couple of weeks the thought came to me, “Do you value loving God, by expressing honesty, more than getting more money?”
Well, that thought certainly put me in my place! Though I resisted this message at first, I did pray with it. One way to love God is by understanding Him better. God’s supply of goodness for us is infinite – not based on a paycheck. And honoring the qualities God expresses in each of us, including integrity, is a way of loving both God and our neighbor.
As I prayed over several days, I came to the realization that I sincerely wanted to be honest to my neighbor (in this case my employer). I felt an inner peace about this, and when I told my employer about the overpayments, they were surprised and grateful. This Love-inspired honesty ultimately led to increased responsibility at work and more hours, which meant more pay (the right way!).
Above all, though, I continue to value the greater understanding I gained of God as Love, caring for us all, empowering us to express His love toward others in our everyday lives.
The Bible Lesson this week ends with this question, referring to Jesus: “Who is ready to follow his teaching and example?” (Science and Health, p. 54). We can all feel divinely assured that his way is full of peace, harmony, and happiness.
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