“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8: 38-39)

To be persuaded is to be convinced by way of an appeal to reason or understanding. It is a response to an entreaty to believe. Paul, the author of this quote, was not an immediate believer by any means. He did not come into his Christianity and healing work by way of an easy and ignorant faith. He needed to have the understanding, needed to have every reason to believe in what he came to see was a vital force for good in the world.

The Christ message and its light did not fail to bring about a conviction in Paul, just as it must in us. It must become clear and inarguable to us that separation from God is not only something we strive to overcome, but that which is utterly impossible. Paul’s persuasion didn’t come through human argument or material methods of reasoning. He knew that the Love of God was always with him and in him, by means of divine revelation. Mary Baker Eddy refers to this compelling force as “Science…a law of divine Mind, a persuasive animus.” (Miscellany 3: 15)

This animus, this animating spirit, purpose, and intention is the Truth acting upon us and for us. It is that divine impetus that moves us to know in our hearts that what Paul says to the Romans is true for us. We are persuaded by God Himself, by the honest Truth, that He is always with us and that nothing, no matter how evil or dark or aggressive, can separate us from Him and His faithful, tender, perfect Love.

This is today’s e-inspire. These messages are based on passages from the Bible and Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. These books are our “pastor” in Christian Science. Come back every Tuesday and Thursday for fresh inspiration. Or get a free subscription to receive an inspirational message like this one every morning directly to your inbox by contacting me at lamolitercs@aol.com. A downloadable compilation of categorized messages is also available by request.