The answer to the question is always, “NO!” (What part of NO don’t you understand?)
Lesson Application ideas on “Are Sin, Disease and Death Real?”
from Corde Hanzlik, C.S. (Austin, TX)
The answer to the question is always, “NO!” We know that and are able to prove it. We are helped literally by the Golden Text message as we have seen some graphic examples of flood-like impositions lately, either as water, lava, politics or earthshaking terrors, but “the spirit of the Lord” is greater than any enemy. Hallelujah!
The Responsive Reading tells of all the protections of God beginning with the comfort, “Fear not”. He’s calling us, holding us, keeping us, giving us all. What is the standard of both the GT and RR? “That which is established by sovereign power as a rule or measure by which others are to be adjusted.” (Student’s Reference Dict.) God’s Law is the only law. The standard, in another meaning, an ensign, a flag, is always before us.
Section 1: What is real?
Our eyes should be as pure as God’s so as to never see evil. Error seems to make that battle constant, but again the Bible tells us not to fear! God is caring for us. This is the light that we see as Isaiah tells. B4
In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, we find the comparison of darkness and light as being similar to matter and spirituality. Both darkness and matter are the delusive phantoms, shadows that are dispelled and destroyed by the light of Truth. Mrs. Eddy experienced the light. Look at what she learned in her ‘death valley’ experience S&H 2 – God, Truth is All, there is no matter. This is a cardinal rule of Christian Science. We have dominion.
Section 2: The proven, practical Light
Are we like John? Look we for another? We have the full benefit of the Christ Science to live, to save, to be. We have, and are the light, too! It is the Science of the Christ that destroys the ‘popular gods – sin, disease, death’. (S&H 5) Who would want gods like that? Jesus showed us how. Now it’s our turn to heal.
Now we have the set up of the specific applications of the Christ light to answer the Lesson topic question:
Section 3: Sin destroyed: the darkness of material selfhood destroyed by the light of spiritual being
Often the Prodigal son is often used as an example of the sinning aspect of man. The younger son takes his money and experiences all of the ‘sins of the world’. He does ‘come to himself” which can easily be seen as he ‘came to’, woke up, became conscious, of himself, his true selfhood. The Father’s total unconditional love ran to meet this new appearing and reward the son for his awakening. God gives us the same unconditional love, always. It is regretful that we don’t often have the other brother’s story in the Lesson. Some of us might associate more with him (Luke 15:25-32). We maybe haven’t gone off the deep end of ‘sin’, but don’t recognize what we have at hand or grouse about the healing that we haven’t had yet or become a little jealous of the ‘new’ Scientist who has quick healings when we’ve worked so hard ‘in the right way’ for ours. The common need in both sons’ experiences is humility and the recognition of God’s great Love always present given freely to all.
Well, back to the Lesson. In S&H 8, Mrs. Eddy clearly says that sin has got to be understood as unreal. The Christ has shown us. Mrs. Eddy explains to us that we must take our stand for the understanding, the coming to ourselves, that is of all-conscious Mind. It is our right to be free. Important in S&H 12 is the statement assuring us that we “can at once change (our) course and do right”. We can let go of the baggage of guilt and progress.
Section 4: Disease destroyed: darkness of discomfort destroyed by the light of spiritual wellness
We are not the ‘dust’ man! Isaiah tells us. Shake it off. We are the Genesis 1 man. The woman with her issue – it happens to be blood in this story – knew that she only needed to touch the Christly garment to have her healing. Do we have that same faith? We know the power of God’s Law to be omnipotent.
In the darkness of disease it sure feels real. God would not be so barbarous S&H 16. Further Mrs. Eddy commands us to “think less of the enactments of mortal mind”. Do we think less of it or instead verbally or mentally complain about how we feel. The disease is the outlaw – out of law, no law for its being! So what do we do? S&H 17 – Rise and blot out!
Section 5: Death destroyed: deathly darkness destroyed by lively light
The Christ-life is the only life there is, not in matter. We must refuse this terrorist threat and not even see, acknowledge, death. The definition is a wonderful starter for seeing through the illusions that death or life in matter would suggest. Dead thought has no place to be, no individual to manipulate. Note in S&H 21 that it is the human concepts that are destroyed – matter, death, disease and sin – are not real.
Section 6: What’s left?
We are ‘hired’ labourers given the power by Christ Jesus to heal not only sickness and death, but sin. Satan falls to oblivion. Thank God! What is the undivided garment? The same one that the woman touched? We can’t pick and choose what we need to destroy and what ‘sins’ we can live with. S&H 23 is a reminder that it is the power of God and divine Love that does the work of unclasping. S&H 25 explains our light currents. True spirituality, not darkness, is our demonstration made manifest over sin, disease and death.
So, the answer to the question is?
(Camp Director’s Note: As the latest in a long series of CedarS weekly lesson “mets” (metaphysical application ideas) contributed by many CedarS practitioners and occasionally by other metaphysicians, this document is intended to initiate further study as well as to encourage the application of ideas found in the Weekly Bible Lessons. Sent originally just to campers, staff and CedarS families who wanted to continue their inspiration from camp, CedarS lesson “mets” are in no way meant to be definitive or conclusive. The thoughts presented are offered to give a bit of dimension, background and daily applicability to some of the ideas and passages being studied. The Lesson-Sermon speaks individually through the Christ to everyone providing unique insights and applications. We are glad you requested this metaphysical sharing and hope that you find some of these ideas helpful in your daily spiritual journey.)
