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Spiritual sense enables us to discern the Kingdom of Heaven
Metaphysical Application Ideas for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson on
“Christian Science”
June 19-25, 2023
by John and Lindsey Biggs, C.S of Maryland Heights, MO
541 418 1176 JohnBiggsCS@gmail.com
541 460 3515 biggs.lindsey@gmail.com
Introduction
This week’s Lesson tells us that our spiritual sense helps us to perceive the nature of God, the teachings of Christ Jesus, and the Kingdom of Heaven within us. The Spirit of Truth helps us see and know who and what we really are as children of God. It helps us to know our birthright as sons and daughters of God, which includes the right to complete freedom and harmony!
Let’s dive into the Lesson together and see what new ideas we can glean.
Golden Text
What a promise this Golden Text is that we will perceive the reality of God! Our spiritual sense will help us perceive the reality of the Kingdom of Heaven, and the healing effects that flows from that understanding.
When Jesus spoke to his disciples to beware of the “leaven of the Pharisees”, he said:
“Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? …And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?” (Mark 8:18, 19 (to ?), 21)
Both Jeremiah and Ezekiel encountered people who were so focused on materiality, that matter is all that seemed real to them. Jeremiah said:
“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not:” (Jeremiah 5:21)
What could be the “leaven of the Pharisees” in our age to be watchful for — that prevents our thought from being fully open to the allness and reality of God? What is it that tries to diminish God’s healing power in our thought and the infinite possibilities of good?
Responsive Reading
Spirit, Life, Truth, and Love is the Source of the joy, harmony, peace, and freedom we express. These spiritual qualities and blessings aren’t necessarily things that we see or taste with the material senses, but we do see and enjoy the presence of these qualities with our spiritual sense.
Mary Baker Eddy defines spiritual sense this way:
“Spiritual sense is a conscious, constant capacity to understand God.”
(Science and Health, p. 209:31–32)
So spiritual sense is essential to our discernment of the nature of the Kingdom of Heaven.
“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” (II Cor 4:18)
Spiritual sense confirms who we are as the spiritual, perfect ideas of God. It confirms that “we live, move, and have our being” in perfect peace. It confirms that we have the right to feel and express God in all that we do. It reveals a consciousness in complete harmony with God.
Spiritual sense reveals the spiritual gifts that flow freely to us from God — such as a sense of dominion that we feel as sons and daughters of God. It could be the harmony we feel when we align our thought with God and see our daily activities coming together in an orderly way. It could be the spiritual light that illuminates our consciousness bringing healing to our mind and body. All of these blessings proceed from the Spirit of God – bringing the light and knowledge of God into our experience, and allowing it to work through us.
SECTION 1 – START WITH GOD AND END WITH HARMONY
The first Bible citation in this section starts off with acknowledging God’s greatness (I Chronicles 29:11). This is a wonderful way to start our prayers. When we start with God then there is a sense of clear-sightedness and harmony that governs our prayers.
When we start with a problem in our prayers (much like Job in the Bible was doing when his challenges began), it’s like starting off inside a paper bag, where all you see is the problem – and you can’t really see how to get out. However, when we start with God, this lifts our spiritual view up and out of the human scene and aligns our thought with what God is seeing and knowing. Then we realize that the problem was only a mistaken concept of what is true and not the real fact of being. And, just like when Job saw God’s point of view, all seeming issues were resolved. Our consciousness is illuminated, uplifted and invigorated and the problem no longer seems real to us so it disappears.
So Bible citation 1 is a great way to start off praying – by acknowledging who God is and what God creates. Then we are led out of the confusion of mortal mind into the clear views of what God is seeing and knowing.
This section reminds us that the “counsel of the Lord standeth for ever” (Bible citation B2/Psalm 33:11) so what God is and makes stands forever. That’s a great reminder in our prayers. The everness of God. God isn’t here one day and not the next. God is changeless, immutable harmony and perfection. And God is enforcing good in our lives. That’s all that God can enforce. That is also all that can be sustained. Error has nothing to sustain it since it is only a belief and not the reality of being. Prayer involves humbling ourselves to see and acknowledge God’s magnificent view.
Here is an article I wrote that elaborate a little more on these ideas: A God-centered view that heals
SECTION 2 – NO MATTER HOW MUCH WE SEE, THE TRUTH IS STILL THERE
I love the story of the Sermon on the Mount. Can’t you just picture it? Jesus was there with so many of his companions, and he was so happy to be there with them, and he just burst out in blessings and teachings and reflections on the heavenly life. It’s my understanding that the entirety of the Sermon on the Mount, found in Matthew chapters five through seven, may be recorded as a collection of many of his teachings, rather than an account of one particular afternoon in the countryside, but either way – whether it’s a collection of teachings or was truly one particular event – the joy that Jesus had, and shared with his companions and all those who followed him, was crucial to his life. Jesus knew that God was his Father! He knew that God was the Father and Mother of all. His certainty allowed him to truly follow the real law of the prophets – the law of those who see truly – and demonstrate the healing that happens because of the presence of heaven.
Jesus saw the whole truth, and he commended the disciples for their growing commitment and proclivity to the truth. However, I have to say that the story recounted in Matthew 13, and shared here in Bible citation 9, used to bother me. Was Jesus leaving out the multitudes? Was he covertly insulting them for sort-of seeing but not actually seeing the truth? Well, we know from his tender care and healing work for all that he couldn’t have been insulting them. He was echoing the words of the prophets, including Jeremiah (see 5:21) and Ezekiel (see 12:2) who consistently tried to bring out and highlight the double-mindedness of so many of the people – especially the ruling class and their sycophant prophets. But Jesus was still teaching them! He did not leave anyone out. He just needed to use parables or stories with everyday scenes…and then surprising twists to make his point. A parable or story is illustrating an idea, but whether you just share the idea straight out, or use a story, the idea still comes across. It’s just that the delivery method needs to suit the audience. But as the parable which closes Bible citation 9 shows, the “hidden truth” still transforms the whole consciousness…and the joyful celebration of the kingdom of heaven is open to all.
SECTION 3 — BEING A WITNESS TO TRUTH
Here are a few additional thoughts on spiritual sense by Mary Baker Eddy:
“What is termed material sense can report only a mortal temporary sense of things, whereas spiritual sense can bear witness only to Truth.”
(Science and Health, p. 298:8–10)
This goes along nicely with Jesus’ own statement about his mission:
“… To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.” (John 18:37 To)
Being a witness to Truth heals! It destroys the false witness of the carnal mind which says you are a mortal with a material body living separate from God, etc. It reveals instead that you are a son and daughter of God living in complete harmony with God — not a sinner, but the blessed offspring of God!
Mary Baker Eddy continues a description of faith and spiritual sense here:
“It is a chrysalis state of human thought, in which spiritual evidence, contradicting the testimony of material sense, begins to appear, and Truth, the ever-present, is becoming understood.” (Science and Health, p. 297:20–24 It)
Could it be that this is what was happening in the healing of this man in Bible citation B10 (Luke 18:35–43)? Could it be that his material, false sense of existence was disappearing while his spiritual sense was revealing to him what was really true? Revealing him as a spiritual son of God, worthy, valuable, and whole. Living in a limitless reality of good where only the laws of God applied to him. As we put more weight in the spiritual scale, we believe less in the enactments of matter, and healing follows this inspired consciousness.
Lastly, Mary Baker Eddy writes,
“When the evidence before the material senses yielded to spiritual sense, the apostle declared that nothing could alienate him from God, from the sweet sense and presence of Life and Truth.”
(Science and Health, p. 303:30)
You might enjoy reading this recent testimony published in the The Christian Science Journal: Eyeglasses no longer needed
SECTION 4 — LEARNING DIRECTLY FROM CHRIST JESUS’ EXAMPLE
In Mary Baker Eddy’s work Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896, there is a section starting on page 180 called Bible Lessons. Mary Baker Eddy explores several Bible passages in great detail, and one of those passages also shows up in this week’s Bible Lesson in Bible citation B13. It’s quoted here, at the start of her explanation:
“He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. — John xiv. 12.”
And Mary Baker Eddy goes on to explain,
“Such are the words of him who spake divinely, well knowing the omnipotence of Truth. …
The context of the foregoing Scriptural text explains Jesus’ words, “because I go unto my Father.” “Because” in following him, you understand God and how to turn from matter to Spirit for healing; how to leave self, the sense material, for the sense spiritual; how to accept God’s power and guidance, and become imbued with divine Love that casts out all fear. Then are you baptized in the Truth that destroys all error, and you receive the sense of Life that knows no death, and you know that God is the only Life. …
The “I” will go to the Father when meekness, purity, and love, informed by divine Science, the Comforter, lead to the one God: then the ego is found not in matter but in Mind, for there is but one God, one Mind; and man will then claim no mind apart from God.”
(Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 192:10–14; 194:19; 195:31–3)
Now, I’ve only quoted a few choice lines from her explanation, and it’s certainly worth diving in to on the whole! It’s very special to have the healing account of Mr. Clark given in Science and Health citation S20, in part because it’s a clear example of the healing effects of going to God.
We, too, can follow Jesus in his teachings and example and go directly to God to learn anything we need to know about ourselves and others. We can learn to drop any sense of “I” – any sense of self – which declares itself as being or possessing anything separate from God. This allows us to see more clearly what God has done and is doing…and healing is the result!
SECTION 5 – SCIENTIFIC CERTAINTY THAT MOVES MOUNTAINS
“Hold perpetually this thought, — that it is the spiritual idea, the Holy Ghost and Christ, which enables you to demonstrate, with scientific certainty, the rule of healing, based upon its divine Principle, Love, underlying, overlying, and encompassing all true being.” (cit. S26, SH p. 496:5–19)
The meaning of the word certainty comes from the early 14th century and means “that which is certain, a clear fact or truth”. It gained further meaning in the 15th century as “quality or fact of being certain; full assurance of mind, exemption from doubt”.
Jesus tells us not to doubt! Since it’s spiritual understanding that heals, we can see how being certain about Truth and the reality of being is very helpful! Jesus says that even if we have faith the size of a grain of mustard seed that that is enough to move mountains!
Mary Baker Eddy writes:
“The evidence of divine Mind’s healing power and absolute control is to me as certain as the evidence of my own existence.”
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, p. 177:5)
That’s a lot of certainty! We are being certain about the allness of Love and who we are in relationship to Love. God, divine Love, doesn’t know any condition or source beyond Love, so there is no cause or effect to separate us from Love. There is nothing in our experience that can reflect anything but good. It is our divine right to live, know, and love good and to bring that about in our experience more consistently.
“.. if with the certainty of Science he knows that an error of belief has not the power of Truth, and cannot, does not, produce the slightest effect, it has no power over him.”
(Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 220:30–2 if)
SECTION 6 – TRUE DEVOTION TO THE TRUTH
I always considered the word “study” (which shows up in our Bible citation 18, from II Timothy) as just, “read for a little bit and then go on to the next thing.” It’s been so neat to learn that I can look at it with a lot more vigor! One of the definitions given in the 1828 Webster’s Dictionary is “to endeavor diligently.” And this goes right along with the tenor of that Bible citation – “…a workman that needeth not to be ashamed…” It makes me think of an apprenticeship, which is a full-time study! The image that comes to mind is something like the apprenticeship of Johnny Tremain (a novel I read growing up), about a young man who becomes apprenticed to a silversmith during the time leading up to the American Revolutionary War. The details of the story aren’t important here, but the image of being cared for, but being entirely devoted to the task at hand, is very stirring for me.
And that’s what we’re doing with our “study” – our apprenticeship, if you will – of Christian Science. We aren’t just thinking every so often about a truth, or putting on a “Christian Science hat” at different times through the day. The Science of Christianity is a lived law; its truth is independent of belief, but to avail ourselves of the truth, we must cast our conviction and belief and real, vigorous study on the side of Truth rather than of consistent backtracking and wandering. God LOVES us! We are His precious ideas, His beloved children, and it is His health that is expressed in us and His excellence that we enjoy and live. We discover who we are as we live our study of God and His law of love.
Have a blessed week!
Some GEMs of BIBLE-BASED application ideas (from Cobbey Crisler & others) should be POSTED during the week and others will be added to the string and EMAILED together later in the week. You can always check for current GEMs at CedarS INSPIRATION website, whether or not you’ve SUBSCRIBED here for this free, inspirational offering.
Also later in the week, look for Ken Cooper’s
“POETIC POSTLUDE”
contributions related to this Bible Lesson.
THANKS to all you PRECIOUS DONORS for ALL of your ONGOING SUPPORT!
Every camper & visitor will be blessed by your generosity, vision & LOVE!
ANOTHER MATCH WAS MET and its project operationally completed before camp! Thanks to several generous donors to our special A/V Appeal we were able to finish building a CHAPEL AV BOOTH that will protect not only donated, new equipment but also all our hymnals for worship services and for CedarS Sunday Hymn Sings, like tonight’s second one of First Session 2023!
If you haven’t lately checked out the GIVING TREE, there are still plenty of other smaller areas of need to fill yet this summer! Campers & staff will also be blessed bigtime by the donations made to additional areas of camp, including the horse program, activity equipment, camperships, and Christian Science nursing and practitioner services.
We’re deeply grateful for EVERY GIFT of love & support,
The CedarS Team
P.S. For more about ways to keep CedarS operations ever more green and flourishing and/or to make a planned gift, a required IRA distribution or an ENDOWMENT GIFT (that will all be MATCHED), feel free anytime to call or text me (Warren Huff, Executive Director Emeritus and Project Manager) at 314-378-2574. I can put you in touch with our Financial Advisor/broker who donates all fees for stock transfers and freely shares tailored, tax-advantaged giving approaches.
