Love is the Fulfilling of the Law
ON LOVE; PART CCIV
ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•Α
GoodWill IS Love in Action
ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•Α•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•ΑΩ•Α
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. Do not err, my beloved brethren” (James 1:12-16).
REPENTANCE, TRANSFORMATION AND REDEMPTION LEAD US TO TRANSFIGURATION
These words, Repentance, Transformation, Redemption and Transfiguration, have had our attention now for the last several posts as our continued discussion of discipleship has brought us this different perspective on our journey onto the Path to the Kingdom of God. In our view, these stages in the Life of the man in form are the result of one’s keeping His words, that is the words of the Master as well as the reality that in His words is the “the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21). As we have premised, the decision of the man in form to look away from the ways of the world, to “put off concerning the former conversation the old man” (Ephesians 4:22) is the Repentance that the Master speaks of when He says that men should “Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17). It is this decision that puts one’s focus onto the Soul, the Christ Within and the things of God, It is this decision that IS the starting point for the man in the world; it is here that it ALL begins and it is here that the man begins to Truly sense the duality of the world in which he lives and begins to see the effects of the vanity, the illusion and the glamour of Life in form. Much of the words of the Master and His apostles are written to those who have Repented, who have heeded the call of their own Inner Self, their own Christ Within and it is these words that we study in our essays. It is these words that are designed to appeal to most ALL who have reached this beginning stage of aspiration and it is these words that are intended to help a man to stay the course, to continue to strive, toward the Kingdom.
When we read the Master’s words saying that “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14) we should try to see the reality as we present it and not the doctrinal way of looking at these words. This saying comes at the end of the Parable of the Wedding Feast in Matthew’s Gospel and follows that part where we read that: “And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment: And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. Then said the king to the servants, Bind him hand and foot, and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 22:11-13). This saying can take on new meaning as we look at it from the perspective of our topic today which is the beginning of one’s journey in Repentance. Our understanding here will not differ much from our initial discussion of it, In the Words of Jesus part 108, but our perspective becomes more personal as we see that it is we who choose, it is we who decide to stay on the Path to the Kingdom. We should try to see and to understand that there is much confusion here on this point that can be clarified by the rendering that the Master’s words are given in the Message Bible (MSG) where we read: “Many get invited; only a few make it” which takes the religiosity out of Hid words. Expanding upon this, we should try to see that ALL ARE invited, ALL ARE called, for this IS the natural way of Life as we understand it; the Soul, the Christ Within, is ever trying to get the attention of the consciousness that is in form and hat is lost in that illusion and glamour of the world. However, it IS NOT ALL who are prepared nor ALL who are ready to step onto the Path, it IS NOT ALL who can choose this new way of Life.
On the doctrinal side of this we see that perspective that most all that go into ministry according to the ways of the various denominations and sects are called and this is oft understood as a calling from an outside source along the lines of the actual story of the calling of the Apostle Paul who sees the Master in a vision while on the road to Damascus. Without trying to critique this story, we should try to realize that these visions are happening within ourselves as the Soul, the Christ Within, makes Himself heard and we should not see this as a ‘point in time calling’ but rather as a slow and methodical realization of the reality of the spiritual Life. It IS this realization that puts one in position to choose, to decide to set out on this journey and then to stay the course and we can see this today in the part of the parable that we post above. We must remember that this IS a parable and that the resultant realization need not be overly related to the story; here we see the man who is invited or called to the wedding and he goes which is the right of ALL men. Reading on we find that he IS NOT wearing a wedding garment and yet he is at the wedding and here, from the story line, we wonder what a wedding garment would be; remembering the parabolic value however we should see the idea that the man IS NOT prepared for the wedding or, in the analysis, he is not prepared to undertake the journey, he is not prepared to choose or to decide but just to remain as he is. We can say that this man IS NOT ready for Repentance.
As we speak of the doctrinal understanding of these things, we must keep in mind that this scenario as we paint it above is common and everyday in the lives of men and many there are that may answer the call even when they are not clear on its source. Then, in the illusion and the glamour created by the doctrines that they KNOW, they are taken away from the reality of Truth and further indoctrinated into the ways of the particular religion, denomination or sect with which they are affiliated. The illusion is that there is that belief that what they have learned is Truth and the glamour is in their making this their own, a part of their being. They become trapped if you will in the politics and the traditions of whatsoever part of Christianity they KNOW as this becomes more and more their Truth and their way of Life as well as their livelihood in the world. Now there is nothing wrong with any of this and our apologies if we seem to be casting it this way; our intent here is to show and to understand that the individual doctrines, the politics of religion and the traditions that are taught and learned, are of little or no use in a mans journey to the Kingdom and that any of these that entail attachments to the world of things in most any way, become as baggage that we CAN NOT bring with us to the INNER LIFE of Love and Peace, we CAN NOT bring them into the Kingdom of God. This is inherently different than the more common sentiment that we find in the Master’s Parable of the Rich Fool as we read: “But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided?” (Luke 12:20). We should of course read the word Soul here as Life as both are rendered from the same Greek world, psuche, and, as we have said in the past, remember that there is a confusion in the use of the Greek words that are rendered as Life, as Spirit and as Soul. In this saying from the parable we find the subject as worldly goods and riches while in our point above, the baggage is emotional and mental, it is attitudes and thoughts and beliefs and any of these that are for the profit of the self in the world CAN NOT be brought into the Kingdom of God which we KNOW IS within us as the Master tells us clearly saying that: ” behold, the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:21).
The majority of the Master’s words are not concerned with riches and with possessions and in rightly discerning His words regarding these things away from doctrine and preconceived ideas, one can come away with the Truth of His message which IS clearly stated in His words saying: “And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God! And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God“. Here we have even the Apostles in awe of the Master’s words as we see above and in the next verse where we read “And they were astonished out of measure, saying among themselves, Who then can be saved?” (Mark 10:23-26). Yet men still do not see this reality in these words but cleverly create doctrines to allow for the comforts and pleasures of Life in form while finding ways to make His words as though they are spoken for others or else find safe harbor in the wording that is only found in Mark’s version where the Master repeats the words and adding “them that trust in riches“. We have here the relative cause of failure for so many who are called and who choose the Path but who are then caught again in the realities of Life in the world. While the Repentance is sincere for most, and while many carry on with this baggage of possessions in both the physical and the personality, they CAN NOT accomplish the next stage of Transformation which we understand as the renewal that is spoken of by Paul. In this we are changed, we are renewed, we are the new man having “put off……the old man” and this IS a change that is effected as our new focus upon the things of God which focus in not possible when one is yet enthralled by the the world of things and the self in the world.
Can we see here how one can decide and choose to heed the call of the Soul but never Truly do so; that one can repent and then turn back again which we can see in the reality of the Masters words where, speaking of forgiveness, He says: “Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent ; thou shalt forgive him” (Luke 17:3-4) and, as He says to the Apostle Peter “I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:22). This same sense should be understood in the relationship of the Soul to the self in form and we should see its reality in the Master’s single word of strive and His use of it saying “Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in , and shall not be able” (Luke 13:24). We should see in this word strive the “seven times” and even the “seven times seven times” as one continually makes effort to live according to his new choice, his new decision. Vincent tells us of this word rendered as strive from the Greek word agonizomai that: Strive. Used only by Luke and Paul, except John xviii. 36. Originally to contend for a prize in the public games; and thus conveying a sense of struggle. The kindred noun, ajgwnia, agony, is used of Christ’s struggle in Gethsemane (ch. xxii. 44) 4. This understanding is also given as the metaphoric meaning of this word in the lexicon where we read: to contend, struggle, with difficulties and dangers; to endeavour with strenuous zeal, strive: to obtain something 2. In both of these we should see the combination of sincere effort to accomplish one’s decision as well as the multiplicity of times that one may have to begin again; such is the Life of a one who chooses to focus upon the things of God.
Trying then and trying again and again, the man in form will succeed; he will eventually overcome and will recognize the illusion and the glamour in which he lives and how these forces effect his Life IF HE ALLOWS then to do so. It is in this realization that the man is freed and it is in this realization that Transformation IS possible and this is the renewal that the apostle tells us of. Transformation is overcoming ALL that we speak of above plus ALL that may be related to this idea of being free from the ways and the things of the world and, this overcoming is found in the realization of what and who one Truly is. This realization is made possible by our continued focus on the things of God as it begins in one’s Repentance. There IS NO easy road here and the Master tells us so in the companion saying to the one above from Luke on striving; He tells us “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13-14).
We did not intend to get stuck here on Repentance and Transformation again but we should understand that these are important parts of our journey as we have discovered in this perspective from which we are viewing the High Calling of discipleship. We close here today with this from Paul which we include for the sake of the last words which can help us to understand ALL that we have said above: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28). The importance here is that we progress, we are Transformed, when we are heeding the call “according to his purpose” and not according to the small purposes of the man in the world.
We will continue with our thoughts in the next post and again try to complete our sayings below and the one that has graced our essays as the head for many days now.
- “Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed” (John 8:31).
- “Herein is my Father glorified , that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples” (John 15:8).
| Aspect of God |
Potency |
Aspect of Man |
In Relation to the Great Invocation |
In relation to the Christ |
|
GOD, The Father |
Will or Power |
Spirit or Life |
Center where the Will of God IS KNOWN |
Life |
|
Son, The Christ |
Love and Wisdom |
Soul or Christ Within |
Heart of God |
Truth |
|
Holy Spirit |
Light or Activity |
Life Within |
Mind of God |
Way |
Note on the Quote of the Day
This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment:
Leaving again the Great Invocation, we encourage ALL to read and reread it and our comments as in these words can be found the keys to our spiritual reality.
From the point of Light within the Mind of God
Let light stream forth into the minds of men.
Let Light descend on Earth.
From the point of Love within the Heart of God
Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.
May Christ return to Earth.
From the centre where the Will of God is known
Let purpose guide the little wills of men–
The purpose which the Masters know and serve.
From the centre which we call the race of men
Let the Plan of Love and Light work out
And may it seal the door where evil dwells.
Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.
This prayer is a part of our Prayers and Meditations section and there is much information about it there and in our discussion of it in the Quote of the Day section of In the Words of Jesus parts 128-132
The above Invocation or Prayer does not belong to any person or group but to all Humanity. The beauty and the strength of this Invocation lies in its simplicity, and in its expression of certain central truths which all men, innately and normally, accept—the truth of the existence of a basic Intelligence to Whom we vaguely give the name of God; the truth that behind all outer seeming, the motivating power of the universe is Love; the truth that a great Individuality came to earth, called by Christians, the Christ, and embodied that love so that we could understand; the truth that both love and intelligence are effects of what is called the Will of God; and finally the self-evident truth that only through humanity itself can the Divine Plan work out.
Like the Lord’s Prayer, this invocation is a World Prayer which is as all that a prayer is intended to be. It is a prayer for the uplifting of the Human Family out of the mire of materialism and selfishness. The Lord’s Prayer asks nothing for the individual praying it but asks that its benefits be for US and for WE which is why it was given by the Christ as a prayer and as a model over 2000 years ago. This invocation is also attributed to the Christ who, as He promised, has never left us; He, through channels that we do not readily understand, has Himself instructed His disciples to distribute this prayer and to encourage its use as a world prayer and as an aid in preparing the world for His return.
The first three stanzas of this prayer should be understood as reflecting the effective potencies of the Trinity which is God and which, when brought down to an individual level, the Trinity which is Man. His Will, His Love and His Light we should see them as the Potent Powers of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit albeit on a much smaller, microcosmic, scale.
Let the peace of God rule in your hearts!
- 4 Word Studies in the New Testament; Marvin R Vincent D.D. 2nd edition, 1888
- 2 New Testament Greek Lexicon on BibleStudyTools.com
