What if you really are immortal right now? We’re generally educated to believe that immortality only comes after death. But, what if that’s not the truth? This week’s “Christian Science Quarterly” Bible Lesson, entitled “Mortals and Immortals,” shows us we can experience immortality here and now.
The lesson includes the biblical account of Enoch, who “walked with God” (Genesis 5:22) and lived 365 years before he “was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God” (Hebrews 11:5). Walking with God means obeying, trusting, listening to, and communing with God, who is Love divine. Clearly, Enoch, who “pleased God” throughout his life, continued walking with Him spiritually following his translation – his disappearance to human sense and removal to heaven without being subject to death (see Mary Baker Eddy, “Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” pp. 67-68).
Christ Jesus constantly walked with God. His understanding of being one with his Father enabled him to perceive man as the reflection of God, immutable and immortal. When multitudes of sick people came to him, Jesus’ clear perception of man as God’s image and likeness healed them.
In the Bible, we read that Jesus took three disciples with him up into a mountain (see Mark 9:2-9). As Jesus communed with God, his appearance became shining and white, and he spoke with Elias and Moses, both of whom had lived centuries before him. How is it that these men were present? Man, the reflection of God, who is divine Principle, Love, exists without a beginning or an end. Jesus knew this and demonstrated to his disciples – and to us – that the individuality of man is forever intact and immortal.
While these examples are some of the very highest of evidencing immortality here and now, step-by-step we too can begin to walk with God and glimpse immortality. As we relinquish timelines of birth and death and views of man as separated from God, we will increasingly see ourselves and others as evidence of God’s expression of Himself – spiritual, whole, and immortal. Easy? Sometimes. But often this takes persistence, courage, and a pure desire to walk forward with God.
As the birth of our second child neared, my husband and I were informed by the doctors that my life and my child’s would be in danger if I did not have an operation and blood transfusion. They also feared that even if we went through with these procedures, it might already be too late to prevent my child from being brain-damaged.
Based on what I understood of God and of myself and my child made in God’s image and likeness, I knew this assessment was not the final word, and I didn’t go through with the procedures. During the entire pregnancy, I had endeavored to walk with God – to really understand my child’s and my present immortality. Both of us were, are, and forever will be God’s eternal ideas, not temporary material beings. Now was the time to fully trust God as the divine Principle and Life.
During the next two days, as a Christian Science practitioner and our family prayed with us, my husband and I gained a clear sense that all was well. And it was. The baby was born easily, there were no complications, and both of us were and remained healthy. My husband and I are so grateful for the clear proof that the understanding of man’s immortality saves and heals.
As we more consistently walk with God – listening, trusting, and expecting all good – we can experience more of the immortality that is truly ours, now and always.
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