Soul and Body. ... I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Section 1 The Bible

Transcription

1 Golden Text I Thessalonians 5:23 I pray... I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Responsive Reading Romans 13:1 (to :), 12 (to :), 13, 14; 8:1, 5 (to ;), 9, Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: 12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: 13 Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. 14 But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. 1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; 9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. 13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 1 Isaiah 43:1 I have called, 3 (to :), 21 Section 1 1 I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. 3 For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour: 21 This people have I formed for myself; they shall shew forth my praise. 2 Job 23:13 he 13 he is in one mind, and who can turn him? and what his soul desireth, even that he doeth. 3 Acts 17:28 (to ;) 28 For in him we live, and move, and have our being; 4 Psalms 16:2 (to :), 9 2 O my soul, thou hast said unto the Lord, Thou art my Lord: 9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. This copy of a Weekly Bible Lesson from the Christian Science Quarterly is licensed for your own personal use and may not be distributed electronically or in print, except as described in the Copyright Terms and Conditions at. Christian Science Quarterly is a trademark owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Study references are from the Bible (King James Version) and the Christian Science textbook, with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science.

2 5 II Corinthians 11:1 indeed, 3 I fear 1 indeed bear with me. 3 I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. Section :11 12 In old Scriptural pictures we see a serpent coiled around 12 the tree of knowledge and speaking to Adam and Eve : The argument of the serpent in the allegory, Ye shall be as gods, urges through every avenue the belief that Soul is in body, and that infinite Spirit, and Life, is 24 in finite forms. Rightly understood, instead of possessing a sentient material form, man has a sensationless body; and God, 27 the Soul of man and of all existence, being Sensationless body perpetual in His own individuality, harmony, and immortality, imparts and perpetuates these qualities 30 in man, through Mind, not matter :19 24 The belief that life can be in matter or soul in body, and that man springs from dust or from an egg, 21 is the result of the mortal error which Christ, or Truth, destroys by fulfilling the spiritual law of being, in which man is perfect, even as the Father which is in heaven 24 is perfect :4 6 The belief that life and sensation are in the body should be overcome by the under- 6 standing of what constitutes man as the image of God :20 26 Identity Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the re- 21 flection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love. Soul is the substance, Life, and intelli- Reflection gence of man, which is individualized, but not of Spirit 24 in matter. Soul can never reflect anything inferior to Spirit. Man is the expression of Soul. 6 Luke 21:8 Take (to 1 st :) Section 2 8 Take heed that ye be not deceived: 7 I Timothy 6:20 keep, 21 (to 1 st.) 20 keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called: 21 Which some professing have erred concerning the faith The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 2

3 6 204:30 2 nd The Section 2 30 The error, which says that Soul is in body, Mind is in matter, and good is in evil, must unsay it and cease from such 1 utterances; else God will continue to be hidden from humanity, and mortals will sin without knowing that they 3 are sinning, will lean on matter instead of Spirit, stumble with lameness, drop with drunkenness, consume with disease, all because of their blindness, their false sense 6 concerning God and man : The Science of being shows it to be impossible for infinite Spirit or Soul to be in a finite body or for man to have an intelligence separate from his Maker :23 29 Christian Science explains all cause and effect as men- 24 tal, not physical. It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and body. It shows the scientific relation of man Causation mental to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities 27 of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought. In divine Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmonious, and eternal :31 Life only in Spirit We must destroy the false belief that life and intelligence are in 1 matter, and plant ourselves upon what is pure and perfect. Paul said, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not 3 fulfil the lust of the flesh. Sooner or later we shall learn that the fetters of man s finite capacity are forged by the illusion that he lives in body instead of in Soul, in matter 6 instead of in Spirit. 8 Psalms 119:1, 11, 97 (to!), 129 Section 3 1 Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the Lord. 11 Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. 97 O how love I thy law! 129 Thy testimonies are wonderful: therefore doth my soul keep them. 9 Genesis 39:1 4, And Joseph was brought down to Egypt; and Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh, captain of the guard, an Egyptian, bought him of the hands of the Ishmeelites, which had brought him down thither. 2 And the Lord was with Joseph, 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 3

4 and he was a prosperous man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. 3 And his master saw that the Lord was with him, and that the Lord made all that he did to prosper in his hand. 4 And Joseph found grace in his sight, and he served him: and he made him overseer over his house, and all that he had he put into his hand. 7 And it came to pass after these things, that his master s wife cast her eyes upon Joseph; and she said, Lie with me. 8 But he refused, and said unto his master s wife, Behold, my master wotteth not what is with me in the house, and he hath committed all that he hath to my hand; 9 There is none greater in this house than I; neither hath he kept back any thing from me but thee, because thou art his wife: how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God? 10 And it came to pass, as she spake to Joseph day by day, that he hearkened not unto her, to lie by her, or to be with her. 11 And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. 12 And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out. Section :32 2 Do you say the time has not yet come in which to 1 recognize Soul as substantial and able to control the body? :10 13, Evil is not supreme; good is not helpless; nor are the 12 so-called laws of matter primary, and the law of Spirit secondary. Subordination of evil 15 Body is not first and Soul last, nor is evil mightier than good :6 Christian Will-power an animal propensity 6 Christian Science reveals Truth and Love as the motive-powers of man. Will blind, stubborn, and head- 9 long cooperates with appetite and passion. From this cooperation arises its evil. From this also comes its powerlessness, since all power belongs to God, good :25 Do not believe in any supposed necessity for sin, disease, or death, knowing (as you ought to know) that God 27 never requires obedience to a so-called material law, for no such law exists. The belief in sin and death is destroyed by the law of God, which is the law of Life in- 30 stead of death, of harmony instead of discord, of Spirit instead of the flesh :16 Reflecting God s government, man is self-governed. When subordinate 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 4

5 18 to the divine Spirit, man cannot be controlled by sin or death, thus proving our material theories about laws of health to be valueless. 10 Matthew 15:30 great, 31 Section 4 30 great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus feet; and he healed them: 31 Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel. 11 Matthew 9:2 8 2 And, behold, they brought to him a man sick of the palsy, lying on a bed: and Jesus seeing their faith said unto the sick of the palsy; Son, be of good cheer; thy sins be forgiven thee. 3 And, behold, certain of the scribes said within themselves, This man blasphemeth. 4 And Jesus knowing their thoughts said, Wherefore think ye evil in your hearts? 5 For whether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and walk? 6 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (then saith he to the sick of the palsy,) Arise, take up thy bed, and go unto thine house. 7 And he arose, and departed to his house. 8 But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men. 12 Psalms 50:1, 7 I am, 15 call 1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof. 7 I am God, even thy God. 15 call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. Section :25 31 In viewing the sunrise, one finds that it contradicts the evidence before the senses to believe that the earth 27 is in motion and the sun at rest. As astronomy reverses the human perception of the The sun and Soul movement of the solar system, so Christian Science re- 30 verses the seeming relation of Soul and body and makes body tributary to Mind :7, The material senses reversal of the Science of Soul was practically exposed nine- 9 teen hundred years ago by the demonstrations of Jesus; yet these so-called senses still make mortal mind tributary to mortal body, and ordain certain sections of matter, such 12 as brain and nerves, as the seats of pain and pleasure, from which matter reports to this so-called mind its status of happiness or misery The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 5

6 27 Temporal life is a false sense of existence. Our theories make the same mistake regarding Soul 30 and body that Ptolemy made regarding the solar system. They insist that soul is in body and mind therefore tributary to matter :11 16 Knowing that Soul and its attributes were forever 12 manifested through man, the Master healed the sick, gave sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, feet to the lame, thus bringing to light the scientific action of the 15 divine Mind on human minds and bodies and giving a better understanding of Soul and salvation :28 The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelli- 30 gence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs. 13 I Corinthians 15:26, 57 Section 5 26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death. 57 But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 14 Job 10:1 (to 1 st ;) 15 Psalms 41:8 1 My soul is weary of my life; 8 An evil disease, say they, cleaveth fast unto him: and now that he lieth he shall rise up no more. 16 Psalms 118:17, 21, 24, 27 (to :) 17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord. 21 I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation. 24 This is the day which the Lord hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it. 27 God is the Lord, which hath shewed us light: Section :22 Only by losing the false sense of Soul can we gain the eternal unfolding of Life as 24 immortality brought to light :10 The educated belief that Soul is in the body causes mortals to regard death as a friend, as a stepping-stone 12 out of mortality into immortality and bliss. calls death an enemy, and Jesus A belief suicidal 2013 The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 6

7 overcame death and the grave instead of yielding to them. 15 He was the way. To him, therefore, death was not the threshold over which he must pass into living glory :11 14 If the belief in death 12 were obliterated, and the understanding obtained that there is no death, this would be a tree of life, known by its fruits :6 6 We apprehend Life in divine Science only as we live above corporeal sense and correct it. Our proportionate admission of the claims of good or of evil de- 9 termines the harmony of our existence, our health, our longevity, and our Christianity. 17 I Corinthians 15:20 now Section 6 20 now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 18 Mark 16:9 when, 14 9 when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils. 14 Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen. 19 John 20: But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. 26 And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. 27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. 28 And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. 20 Psalms 66:8, 9 8 O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: 9 Which holdeth our soul in life, and suffereth not our feet to be moved. 21 John 13:31 Now 31 Now is the Son of man glorified, and God is glorified in him The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 7

8 23 497:20 Section 6 We acknowledge that the crucifixion of Jesus and 21 his resurrection served to uplift faith to understand eternal Life, even the allness of Soul, Spirit, and the nothingness of matter :24 29, To the materialistic Thomas, looking for the ideal Saviour in matter instead of in Spirit and to the testimony of the material senses and the body, 27 more than to Soul, for an earnest of immortality, to him Jesus furnished the proof that he was unchanged by the crucifixion. Material skepticism Nothing but a display of matter could make existence real 1 to Thomas. For him to believe in matter was no task, but for him to conceive of the substantiality of Spirit 3 to know that nothing can efface Mind and immortality, in which Spirit reigns was more difficult :2 7, 9 Life is 3 the law of Soul, even the law of the spirit of Truth, and Soul is never without its representative. Man s individual being can no more 6 die nor disappear in unconsciousness than can Soul, for both are immortal. Life not contingent on matter 9 The belief that existence is contingent on matter must be met and mastered by Science, before Life can be understood 12 and harmony obtained :9 (only) 9 We all must learn that Life is God. 22 Romans 12:1 Section 7 1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 23 Colossians 3:1, 2, 24 1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. 2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. 24 Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. 24 I Thessalonians 5:21 hold, hold fast that which is good. 23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 8

9 27 325:20 24, 26 Section 7 Paul had a clear sense of the demands of Truth upon 21 mortals physically and spiritually, when he said: Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable 24 service. Consecration required Immutable identity of man 24 Breaking away from the mutations of time and sense, you will neither lose the solid objects and ends of life nor your own iden- 27 tity. Fixing your gaze on the realities supernal, you will rise to the spiritual consciousness of being, even as the bird which has burst from the egg and preens its wings for a 30 skyward flight. The time cometh when 27 the spiritual origin of man, the divine Science which ushered Jesus into human presence, will be understood and demonstrated :8 Jesus 9 said, Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God [Truth] :3 7 3 When understanding changes the standpoints of life and intelligence from a material to a spiritual basis, we shall gain the reality of Life, the control of Soul over 6 sense, and we shall perceive Christianity, or Truth, in its divine Principle. Standpoints changed :4, 24 Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these 6 into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts The Christian Science Publishing Society. All rights reserved. 9