A MAN UNDER AUTHORITY

The story of the centurion's servant that Jesus healed in the gospel of Matthew chapter 8 demonstrates the generic nature of God's attributes, including authority. "For I am a man under authority, having soldiers under me: and I say to this man, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it." The centurion realized the impersonal nature of authority manifested as Jesus. He realized that the Christ was the impersonal office that Jesus represented, just as he was of a high rank in the army, the authority he wielded came with the office and was transferable to the next office holder. ".... but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed." The authority of Soul is expressed in one generic man. When we realize that the Synonyms and the attributes are generic, we can see them expressed here and everywhere.

In Science & Health, Mary Baker Eddy writes "Denial of the claims of matter is a great step towards the joys of Spirit, towards human freedom and the final triumph over the body." So Christian Scientists, take a great step daily towards the joys of Spirit and away from the captivity of mortal thinking. Deny the bondage of mortality and affirm freedom of man as God's reflection.

Deny: God does not operate apart from His reflection, man. God is never separated from man, and man is never separated from God.
Affirm: I am joyously expressing the freedom of Soul, Life. I am the authority of Soul's presence and power.