RESPONSIVE READING: Romans 5
1. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
This struck me on the first reading of this lesson, and led me through the following:
Alertness to Duty (from the Daily Duties by Mary Baker Eddy)
It shall be the duty of every member of this Church to defend himself daily against aggressive mental suggestion, and not be made to forget nor to neglect his duty to God, to his Leader, and to mankind. By his works he shall be judged, — and justified or condemned.
James 2:20
20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
Justify (1828 Webster’s Dictionary)
1. … to defend or maintain; to vindicate as right.
3. To cause another to appear comparatively righteous, or less guilty than one’s self.
I wanted to know Mary Baker Eddy’s words on faith (I’m very grateful she states everything so clearly!) from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, page 297:
Faith is higher and more spiritual than belief. … A belief in Truth is better than a belief in error, but no mortal testimony is founded on the divine rock. Mortal testimony can be shaken. Until belief becomes faith, and faith becomes spiritual understanding, human thought has little relation to the actual or divine.
Before coming to Plainfield, I never knew if one choice was better than another. Due to that, I tried to make words act as a buffer between me and any choice. I think the only time I really spoke was when I was trying not to act.
But now, while gaining this understanding of Christian Science and spiritual sense, I feel increasingly more comfortable trusting God to guide me through my work. What a healing this has been! It now is apparent to me that lacking real faith in, and understanding of, God will leave you without a clear path forward. That straight and narrow way that God is sending us on, becomes an infinite number of wrong choices when we let error take the wheel.
I am so grateful for these lessons, which always bring more understanding (of what is right, and also why it went so wrong before!), and more appreciation for God, the Bible, and all Mrs. Eddy did. Thank you!