Love vs. Fear
May 23, 2002
Fear never stopped being and its action.
Our readings, particularly those from the Bible, helped give us some glimpses of the perfect Love that casts out fear. One member read from Henry Drummond's "The Greatest Thing In The World", including portions of St. Paul's famous chapter on Love (I Corinthians 13). Another mentioned that our group had looked at [#topic=20011108#] on November 8, 2001.
We noted that the definition of fear in the "Glossary"of Science and Health (pg. 586: 11-12) is akin to what's in the dictionary, although Mrs. Eddy gives as one of its cognates "desire". Elsewhere she says, "Desire is prayer;"(Science and Health, pg. 1: 11). This prompted one member to observe that whether we're in a state of fear, desire or prayer we're still fully engaged in the mortal basis of belief — in other words looking for some kind of a bailout. More pointed perhaps were the questions, "Who fears? Who is in awe?"Well, we supposed, it would have to be mortal mind. And let's be clear, fear is an integral part of identifying oneself with mortality.
Getting free from the claims of such identification — even if only briefly — is brought about by identifying with divine Love — a biblically based synonym for God, unquestionably His most powerful and all-inclusive name. Our chairperson said he likes to ask himself what would Love think and do. Further, he sometimes goes on from there to contact and then reside with and as his divine selfhood or I AM THAT I AM. (See Exodus 3:14, Science and Health, pp. 588: 20-2 and 587: 5-8). Mrs. Eddy often said to her students things like, "To heal, just be Love — the Love that knows no sin, sickness or death."
The member who brought in the reading about the Prodigal Son said he found it reassuring as he ventures forth into life not always knowing whether he's in tune with his Father-Mother God. If not, he usually finds out before any husk eating scenes — but even if it comes to that, he still can commune with his divinity and perhaps carry it more vibrantly with him on the next enterprise. He noted that the word "fear"comes from a root meaning "to try, to risk". The word "experience"is from the same root and this reminded him of St. Paul's exhortation to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."(Philippians 2: 12).
Another member quoted some statements about Love from Christian Science Re-Explored, by Margaret Laird, CSB.
"With Love, the unconditioned thinking that is Science for our vision, we shall see our divine Self-fulfillment in every incident of daily life." (pg. 43)
"We learn from experience that unless Love is lived as an enlightened way of life, it is experienced in the human sense of things as love and hate, loss and gain, sex-frustration instead of sex-fruition." (pg. 231)
"As long as I live my Love self-consciously as myself, I need not fear 'what man can do unto me'." (pg. 231)
Here are some healing experiences reported.
1) What had seemed a small leak in a member's bathroom over several weeks suddenly became a waterfall which quickly brought down the ceiling and flooded part of his apartment. A dear friend was visiting him at the time and managed to keep a level of composure that calmed our member down as they both prayed scientifically and took actions to have the water turned off and the cleanup and repairs initiated. Within two days everything was back to normal.
2) Another member found a notice of "dire warning"posted in his apartment building advising that the sprinkler system had no water in it. Tenants were understandably restive. He contacted the landlady who was near hysteria after dealings with an unresponsive bureaucracy about the problem. He offered to call, started praying but quickly ran into similar problems when he called. Finally the man in charge came on the line in what sounded like a very combative and dismissive mood. Our member kept his cool and found something in the bureaucrat's demeanor to compliment. Belligerence faded and an agreement was forged to have the offending notice withdrawn.
3) Our politician member, who's running for the state Senate, shared about his struggles with personal sense and some victories over it, mainly by keeping Love in the forefront of his campaign. He does not use the word per se but makes sure Love informs "every word, gesture and action."Local newspapers have commented that he's showing "unusual candor"and is "honest to a fault."
We agreed quickly on next week's topic, Conviction. Two members have been engaged in a friendly argument for months over the value of such a concept in the practice of Christian Science.
As we were leaving the meeting for dinner we realized we hadn't devoted any time to terrorism, which so haunts New York and other parts of the world now. So we worked on it in Science at the coffee shop. As one might expect there was division in the ranks.
One member said he thinks not at all about the possibilities of terrorist acts as he makes his way around the city. There is nothing he can do about such things and if something happens he at least has the comfort of realizing that there are few who survive such attacks into a life of pain. (At least based on the World Trade Towers tragedy).
Others said we can do something in Science. Mrs. Eddy, for instance, said, "...those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check."(Science and Health, pg. 97: 1-2) These members felt that seeing themselves and others as infinite, eternal divine ideas would completely protect them and others, around the world. This means no animosity, fear or cynicism — but holding all as the direct expression of God, good.
Again our topic for next time is Conviction.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.
And he said, A certain man had two sons: And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living. And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living. And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want. And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him. And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger! I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee, And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants. And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him. And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son. But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet: And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry: For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing. And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant. And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound. And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him. And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends: But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf. And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need. It is not well to imagine that Jesus demonstrated the divine power to heal only for a select number or for a limited period of time, since to all mankind and in every hour, divine Love supplies all good.
As frightened children look everywhere for the imaginary ghost, so sick humanity sees danger in every direction, and looks for relief in all ways except the right one. Darkness induces fear. The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming. The way in divine Science is the only way out of this condition.
Contending for the evidence or indulging the demands of sin, disease, or death, we virtually contend against the control of Mind over body, and deny the power of Mind to heal. This false method is as though the defendant should argue for the plaintiff in favor of a decision which the defendant knows will be turned against himself.
The physical effects of fear illustrate its illusion. Gazing at a chained lion, crouched for a spring, should not terrify a man. The body is affected only with the belief of disease produced by a so-called mind ignorant of the truth which chains disease. Nothing but the power of Truth can prevent the fear of error, and prove man's dominion over error.
VI. God is individual, incorporeal. He is divine Principle, Love, the universal cause, the only creator, and there is no other self-existence. He is all-inclusive, and is reflected by all that is real and eternal and by nothing else. He fills all space, and it is impossible to conceive of such omnipresence and individuality except as infinite Spirit or Mind. Hence all is Spirit and spiritual.
In different ages the divine idea assumes different forms, according to humanity's needs. In this age it assumes, more intelligently than ever before, the form of Christian healing. This is the babe we are to cherish. This is the babe that twines its loving arms about the neck of omnipotence, and calls forth infinite care from His loving heart.
Christian Science declares that sickness is a belief, a latent fear, made manifest on the body in different forms of fear or disease. This fear is formed unconsciously in the silent thought, as when you awaken from sleep and feel ill, experiencing the effect of a fear whose existence you do not realize; but if you fall asleep, actually conscious of the truth of Christian Science,—namely, that man's harmony is no more to be invaded than the rhythm of the universe,—you cannot awake in fear or suffering of any sort.
I recommend that Scientists draw no lines whatever between one person and another, but think, speak, teach, and write the truth of Christian Science without reference to right or wrong personality in this field of labor. Leave the distinctions of individual character and the discriminations and guidance thereof to the Father, whose wisdom is unerring and whose love is universal.
The present self-inflicted sufferings of mortals from sin, disease, and death should suffice so to awaken the sufferer from the mortal sense of sin and mind in matter as to cause him to return to the Father's house penitent and saved; yea, quickly to return to divine Love, the author and finisher of our faith, who so loves even the repentant prodigal—departed from his better self and struggling to return—as to meet the sad sinner on his way and to welcome him home.