You too a disciple

People familiar with the Bible can recall accounts of individuals such as Moses, Elijah, Elisha, and Daniel who were capable of amazing things. Bible heroes and prophets were people who by consistent striving reached a level of spiritual insight that is not limited to a particular time, place, or sudden favor. Spiritual insight, or spiritual sense, is a state of thought that brings one into harmony with God, who is all-power. It is a capacity that each one of us is pursuing or not pursuing according to his active desire to know and express God.

How do you and I cultivate spiritual sense? Through study of the Bible's inspired message; through consistent prayer; through the living of our prayers in purity of thought and in our expression of pure love for others.

If we develop such insight, can we heal as Jesus taught? We have at our disposal the same teachings that the Master shared almost two thousand years ago. And the power upon which he drew for healing is God Himself, who is as much a power now as ever. So the answer is that we can, however modestly, heal through spiritual means, following the Master's example.

It is natural for someone who wants to learn a new skill to study its rules and practice them in order to become proficient. We can do the same in regard to Jesus' teachings.

It is also characteristic of a student to ask questions, and the key to discipleship lies as much in the question as in the answer, because the question is the expression of that yearning to know God better by which each one of us initiates his search for spiritual truth.

One individual may have a burning desire to know what God's purpose for him is. Another may want to know the real meaning of life. Still another may simply want to know if there really is a God. The important issue is not so much which question one is asking, but whether we are asking any ''spiritual'' questions at all.

Jesus said, ''Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.'' n1

n1 Matthew 7:7.

Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, says of the Master's promise, ''Jesus said, 'Ask, and ye shall receive;' and if not immediately, continue to ask, and because of your often coming it shall be given unto you . . . .'' n2

n2 Message to The Mother Church for 1901, p. 19.

It is our spiritual sense that motivates us to question and to pursue the answers to our questions. And it is God Himself, through the power of His Christ , who illumines our understanding so that we can recognize and comprehend His answers.

From childhood Mrs. Eddy sought an understanding of God and man, largely through study of the Bible. Her search culminated in her being healed of a near-fatal accident by the illumined study of a Bible healing, and this led to her discovery of Christian Science.

Mrs. Eddy writes, ''Jesus gave his disciples (students) power over all manner of diseases; and the Bible was written in order that all peoples, in all ages, should have the same opportunity to become students of the Christ, Truth, and thus become God-endued with power (knowledge of divine law) and with 'signs following.' '' n3

n3 The First Church of Christ, Scientist, and Miscellany, p. 190.

The exercising of spiritual sense in our study of the Bible and in every facet of our lives brings us answers from God. That's because God is Spirit and our actual being, made in His likeness, is the very expression of Spirit. As we consistently identify ourselves spiritually and strive day by day to be the pure , loving reflection of God, we'll discern and experience the health and freedom included in that reflection.

Jesus said, ''Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.'' n4 If we sincerely ask God to support our seeking after truth, our prayers will be answered. A spiritual adventure awaits all inquirers.

n4 Matthew 5:6.

Now, what was your question? DAILY BIBLE VERSE Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. I Corinthians 2:12

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