Our natural love for the truth

There is a natural inclination among human beings to seek out whatever is true. In the news media, in art and literature, in every scholarly discipline, we applaud those who seem to have found the essence of the truth in their particular fields. Certainly there are many forms of deceit and artifice rampant in the world; but there, alongside, like the tares and wheat of the Biblical allegory, grow healthy grains of truth.

What is it in man's nature that loves the truth; and what inspires the individual with a willingness to nurture its growth, even at great personal risk? Why is it that sometimes the truth is more valuable to a man than his own life?

Our natural inclination toward the truth is like the turning of the flower toward the sun. Perhaps without knowing it, we are actually seeking God, who, as the Bible indicates, is divine Truth itself - the source of all good, the sustainer of all real being. To stand up for what is right, even to rise during periods of trial and stress to greater self-sacrifice, is mankind's instinctive response to the impulse of Spirit, infinite Truth.

To stick with what is true in our day-to-day living - and even more, to better understand our creator, divine Truth, and His law of good - are rewarding beyond measure. The fruits of living in accord with God's law, of expressing honesty and purity, are joy, freedom, and self-worth.

Christ Jesus set high spiritual and moral standards for his followers. Through conformity to Jesus' teachings we demonstrate our fidelity to Truth, and we find that the power of God is as accessible to mankind today as it was in the Master's time. The power of Truth touches and uplifts every aspect of one's life. It brings healing to the one suffering from disease, and redemption to the one in bondage to sin; for disease and sin have no authority or right to existence in the realm of Truth. Only what God, good, creates is real and valuable.

An appreciation of Truth and all its demands - fidelity, trustworthiness, honesty, integrity - is more than just a matter of individual conscience. It's essential to working out our salvation. Mary Baker Eddy, the Discoverer and Founder of Christian Science, states, ''The spirit of Truth leads into all truth , and enables man to discern between the real and the unreal.'' n1

n1 Miscellaneous Writings, p. 49.

Mankind are always striving to interpret the meaning of existence. But we need never worry that we might be hurt by the truth we discover. Divine Truth destroys only deception and iniquity. It never deprives us of our joy - of anything that is good and pure and satisfying. To become better acquainted with God is not to lose our identity and purpose in some intangible ideal but to find the quality of our lives enriched in a way that can only be attained through increased spirituality.

In proportion, then, as we find and love our Maker, divine Truth, we will find ourselves - find the beauty, ability, and fulfillment inherent in God's child.

Because God's creation is wholly good, transcending what we see around us, we need to begin looking beyond what the material senses claim is true about man. Through prayer and an inspired perception of the Bible, especially Christ Jesus' life, we can do this. We can gain a more enlightened, spiritual sense of reality. When we consciously, prayerfully, deny the evidence of discord as no part of Truth or its creation, the understanding of man's actual, spiritual nature will begin to take precedence in thought. We'll gain the conviction that man is not, in his true selfhood, a sinful mortal, acting out lies and dishonesty, nor is he a sick mortal. Rather he is the pure expression of divine Love.

This perception heals; it corrects the evidence of discord. And as we understand ourselves to be the expression of one, infinite God, good, we will quite naturally begin to see our neighbor in the same healing light.

If we feel dissatisfied, fearful, sick, or tempted to betray our convictions, let's remember that God is omnipotent to destroy the mental and physical chains that would imprison us. The Way-shower, Christ Jesus, taught, ''Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.'' n2 The promise of his words is as timeless as their wisdom.

n2 John 8:32.

DAILY BIBLE VERSE Who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth? Galatians 5:7