Archive for the ‘Love’ Category
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Whatever holds human thought in line with unselfed love, receives directly the divine power.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p192:27)
In times of conflict and division these words from Love: the Best Response of All by Barsom Kashish published in the Christian Science Sentinel (May 19, 1986 issue) are a guide for our prayers and actions.
From the life of our Master, Christ Jesus, and from all Christian experience, we know that truly effective love has its source and gathers its power from divine Loveāthe Love that knows no opposite because it is the Love that is God. Living this Love in the face of obvious injustice isn’t easy. It requires wisdom, discernment, and even spiritual “toughness” at times. But the willingness to persist in loving brings into human experience a transforming factor that simply can’t be assimilated in the world’s terms.
The article quotes Mary Baker Eddy as saying: Each day I pray: God bless my enemies; make them Thy friends; give them to know the joy and the peace of love. (Miscellany 220: 21)
Fulful ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind. Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves. (The Bible – Philippians 2: 2,3)
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Unselfishness, purity, and affection are constant prayers.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p15:26)
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And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him. …
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear:
(The Bible KJV – I John 4: 16, 18)
“Love one another” (I John, iii. 23), is the most simple and profound counsel of the inspired writer.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p5172:16)
The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p518:15)
Put on therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering;
Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye.
And above all these things put on charity, which is the bond of perfectness.
(The Bible KJV – I Colossians 3: 12-14)
Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, āLord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?ā
Jesus answered, āI tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.”
(The Bible NIV – Matthew 18: 21, 22)
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And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And Love is reflected in love;
(Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy p17)
True forgiveness ā is it possible?Ā If someone hasĀ really hurt you in ways that seem impossible to ignore, is it necessary to forgive them?Ā Is it actually possible?Ā
Jesus is quoted as saying (Matt 5: 38,44) Ye have heard that it hat been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth: ⦠But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;  Why did he say this? Is it realistic? Is it wisdom?
We donāt ever have to condone or excuse unacceptable behaviour.Ā It is only right that laws and courts deal with unlawful behaviour but world events tell us that āan eye for an eyeā thinking does not bring peace.
In this same passage, Jesus goes on to say that we are the children of God ā God who is Love. Our true nature then is loving. This gives us the strength to move beyond hurts. When you truly know who you are, it is possible to find your freedom from negative, limiting feelings. Hurt and resentment fall away in the knowledge that you are the loved and loving child of God.
Mary Baker Eddy, the founder of Christian Science writes in an article, Taking Offense:
We should remember that the world is wide; that there are a thousand million different human wills, opinions, ambitions, tastes, and loves; that each person has a different history, constitution, culture, character, from all the rest; ⦠we should go forth into life with the smallest expectations, but with the largest patience; with a keen relish for and appreciation of everything beautiful, great, and good, but with a temper so genial that the friction of the world shall not wear upon our sensibilities; ⦠determined not to be offended when no wrong is meant, nor even when it is, unless the offense be against God. (Miscellaneous Writings p223)
This is how we find our peace.
This article was contributed by a member of the Christian Science community in Canberra.
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The Lord thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
(The Bible KJV – Zephaniah 3: 17)
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The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying,
Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.
(The Bible KJV – Jeremiah 31: 3)