Divine power -- still here

The power Christ Jesus embodied has been present through all ages and still is. This power is Christ, Truth, and it comes from God. "The Father that dwelleth in me," Jesus said, "he doeth the works." n1 The eternal God's power is here and always will be. It can never be withdrawn.

n1 John 14:10.

A hundred years ago, Mary Baker Eddy discovered the divine laws behind Jesus' teachings and healing works and founded the Church of Christ, Scientist. She proved the continuing efficacy of divine power by healing with it and teaching and others to understand and use it. She called her discovery Christian Science. Because it reiterates the teachings and works of the Founder of Christianity, this religion is Christian. Operating on changeless, demonstrable divine law, it is also Science.

In the textbook of Christian science, Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures,m Mrs. Eddy writes: "This healing power of Truth must have been far anterior to the period in which Jesus lived. It is as ancient as 'the Ancient of days.' It lives through all Life, and extends throughout all space." n2

n2 Science and Health,m p. 146.

Unfortunately, people too often have believed that the power of God to heal sickness and disability was limited to the period of time in which Jesus and his apostles lived. But if it were true that God is of little or no help anymore to the sick, would it not mock every sincere Christian who suffers today and longs for divine aid?

That God's power to heal is for all ages before and after Jesus' today is evidenced by the remarkable healings accomplished by Old Testament prophets and New Testament Christians.Elijah's understanding of the availability of divine power enabled him to replace a widow's desperate lack with sufficiency. Elisha healed Naaman of leprosy and brought a Shunammite woman's son back to life. Peter and John restored a lame man's limb to full strength. Paul nullified the poisonous sting of a snake and raised a youth from death after a fall.And not only these apostles but also the unknown Ananias proved God's power, healing Saul (who later became Paul) of blindness. Christ Jesus himself promised: "He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also." n3

n3 John 14:12.

What qualifications are needed to use this power today for the benefit of sick, sinful, suffering humanity? To name a few: a sincere desire to follow Christ Jesus; the earnest pursuit of moral, unselfed living; a deep love for God and obedience to Him; and an advancing understanding of both God and man. In Christian Science, man is the spiritual child of God, divine Spirit. He is intelligent, healthy, wise, because his Father is the very source of all real intelligence, health, wisdom. Contrary to the general belief that man is matter , or a mix of matter and spirit, man as the offspring of God is and always has been wholly spiritual, without an element of anything unlike his Maker. Mrs. Eddy emphasizes this when she writes: "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, -- perfect God and perfect man, -- as the basis of thought and demonstration." n4

n4 Science and Health, p. 259.

When the unreality of the five material senses' presentation of a sick and sinful mortal is realized and replaced in thought, desire, and life with the truth that man is the blessed son of God, harmonious in every aspect and action, healing follows.

The power of the Christ is divine, and nothing can resist it. Its effect when faithfully applied is as certain as that of the force of gravity to bring thigs down. The great difference is that this divine power lifts up and heals. DAILY BIBLE VERSE Wa it, I say, on the Lord. Psalms 27:14m