{"id":5720,"date":"2013-02-13T21:01:53","date_gmt":"2013-02-14T02:01:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/?p=5720"},"modified":"2013-02-13T22:41:06","modified_gmt":"2013-02-14T03:41:06","slug":"in-the-words-of-jesus-part-585","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/2013\/02\/13\/in-the-words-of-jesus-part-585\/","title":{"rendered":"IN THE WORDS OF JESUS\u2013Part 585"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love is the Fulfilling of the Law<\/span><\/h2>\n

ON LOVE; PART CLXXIV<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391<\/span><\/h6>\n

GoodWill\u00a0IS Love in Action<\/span><\/h2>\n
\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391\u03a9\u2022\u0391<\/span><\/h6>\n
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“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be? Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things? Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness. If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things? And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven. \u00a0And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up: \u00a0That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life<\/em>” (John 3:1-15).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

In the last post we nearly completed our discussion the Truths that we find in the words of the Apostle Paul that are for us an \u00a0instruction of the actions and the attitudes of the disciple and the aspirant who would become the disciple. Our last part is the final word that we see translated as Praise<\/strong> and which in our normal understanding of the word as compared to the apostle’s intent makes little sense. For us the last words of Paul’s sayings seem to be intended as a recapitulation of the importance of his list of words in the Life of the disciple and the aspirant in form. As we said yesterday, the previous idea that Paul uses as a catchall is Virtue,<\/strong> and meaning any Virtue<\/strong> so as to include ALL that he had mentioned and any other idea or ideal that one as an individual can place under this term. In this we can see that the list is not intended to be all inclusive. Repeating what we see as the whole saying for clarity we find:<\/span><\/p>\n

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“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Letour moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever t<\/strong><\/em>hings are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things<\/strong>” (Philippians 4:4-8).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Of course being neither Greek scholars nor translators, we can only define what is being said by the\u00a0construction\u00a0given to it by the King James Translators whose works we have accepted as the closest to the True meaning of the intent of the writers but, having said this, we must remember that there have been\u00a0many\u00a0times where we have\u00a0modified\u00a0the King James renderings according to our own research as well as the help we get from Vincent, Strong’s, \u00a0Vine’s and others. Here we are faced again with a word that we cannot agree with from the perspective that we can understand as Paul’s in writing these words. Yesterday we found that the lexicon defined\u00a0Greek word epainos<\/em>\u00a0 as\u00a0approbation, commendation, praise\u00a0<\/em>2\u00a0<\/sup>and we noted that most ALL translations render this word as Praise<\/strong> or a compound of Praise.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>Looking further we find a relationship between these two terms; Virtue<\/strong> and Praise,<\/strong> in the translations of the New Testament and we will examine these now from the\u00a0perspective\u00a0of our\u00a0understanding\u00a0of the idea of Virtue<\/strong> as being the motivation to the actions of a man in the Light of the Soul; in the last post we looked only at our understanding.<\/span><\/p>\n

The word translated as Virtue<\/strong> in our saying above is the Greek word arete<\/em> and the lexicon tells us that this is translated as both virtue<\/em> and praise\u00a0<\/em>2<\/sup>, giving us the connection between these two words. Beginning with arete,<\/em> let us look at Vincent’s understanding of these words and usages.<\/span><\/p>\n

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  • On arete<\/em> we find:\u00a0\u00a0Virtue\u00a0(areth). With this exception the word occurs only in Peter’s epistles; 1 Pet. ii. 9; 2 Pet. i. 3, 5; see notes on both<\/em>\u00a04<\/sup>.<\/span>\n
      \n
    • Looking to 1 Peter we find the saying “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light<\/em>” (1 Peter\u00a0\u00a02:9). Vincent tells us here that:\u00a0The praises\u00a0(<\/em>tav aretav).\u00a0<\/em>Lit., the virtues. So Rev., excellencies. The word occurs\u00a0Isa. xliii. 21\u00a0(Sept., see above), and is rendered praise. See, also,\u00a0Isa. xliii. 12\u00a0(Sept.), “Declare his praise\u00a0<\/em>(aretav)\u00a0in the islands.”<\/em>4<\/sup>. Here it seems that there is reliance upon the Old Testament translation into Greek in the Septuagint which leads to the\u00a0rendering\u00a0of the word as Praise<\/strong> although its literal meaning is Virtue.\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0From our perspective this idea from Peter is better served by rendering the word as\u00a0Virtue\u00a0and this from the\u00a0understanding\u00a0that Peter is speaking to disciples and\u00a0aspirants\u00a0and is instructing them the show the\u00a0Virtues\u00a0of God in their Life. Perhaps the idea of\u00a0Praise\u00a0as we understand it today is not the same as what the King James translators had understood but this is not borne out for us in the older Webster’s dictionary which leave\u00a0Praise\u00a0without any spiritual value except in the doctrinal sense of\u00a0To extol in words or song; to magnify; to glorify on account of perfections or excellent work<\/em>s\u00a01<\/sup>\u00a0\u00a0which we should understand is not in the reality of the sayings of neither Peter nor Paul.<\/li>\n
    • In 2 Peter we read: “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue<\/em>” in the one verse and in the other: “And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge<\/em>” (2 Peter 1:3, 5). Here we find the True use of this word translated as\u00a0Virtue,\u00a0a reality that would work as well in the verse above from 1 Peter. Vincent tells us here that:\u00a0Virtue. See on 1 Pet. ii. 9. Used by Peter only, with the exception of Philip. iv. 8. The original classical sense of the word had no special moral import, but denoted excellence of any kind – bravery, rank, nobility; also, excellence of land, animals, things, classes of persons. Paul seems to avoid the term, using it only once.\u00a0On glory and virtue Bengel says, “the former indicates his natural, the latter his moral, attributes.”\u00a0<\/em>\u00a04<\/sup>. We should note here that in addition to the understanding offered by Vincent regarding the use of the word\u00a0Virtue\u00a0here that his interpretation of it is rife with doctrine and not with the reality that we see as aspirants and disciples. However if we can but transfer the understanding here of\u00a0Virtue\u00a0as\u00a0excellence of any kind\u00a0from a worldly sense as in the classical use to a spiritual sense as we see it, we will have a bit of the reality of both apostles thoughts. As Vincent moves on to the next use, we find his deeper understanding:\u00a0Virtue.\u00a0See on ver. 3, and 1 Pet. ii. 9. Not in the sense of moral excellence, but of the energy which Christians are to exhibit, as God exerts his energy upon them. As God calls us by his own virtue (ver. 3), so Christians are to exhibit virtue or energy in the exercise of their faith, translating it into vigorous action<\/em>\u00a04<\/sup>. Although this is not as we would state it, this is a better sense of the reality that Paul is intending; that the aspirant and the disciple think on the excellence and it wielded in the world as one’s exhibition of the Good, the Beautiful and the True.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      We should see here that the word rendered Virtue,<\/strong> although not used frequently, is an important word for us to understand and we should be able to see this in the listed Virtues<\/strong> that precede it in Paul’s words. \u00a0We should also see here the relationship between the two words\u00a0rendered\u00a0as Virtue<\/strong> and Praise<\/strong>\u00a0as Vincent alludes above and as we conclude with his help below; this is that the idea of Praise can be seen as the expression, the exhibition of Virtue.<\/strong>\u00a0Vincent tells us of Praise<\/strong> as it is used by Paul above that:\u00a0Praise<\/strong> (epainov). Commendation corresponding to the moral value of the virtue. In the Septuagint, ajreth virtue is four times used to translate the Hebrew praise. The two ideas seem to be coordinated. Lightfoot remarks that Paul seems studiously to avoid this common heathen term for moral excellence, and his explanation is very suggestive: “Whatever value may reside in your old heathen conception of virtue, whatever consideration is due to the praise of men.”<\/em> 4<\/sup>.\u00a0Again we see the reliance upon the translation of a Hebrew word into Greek as a basis for the rendering of Praise<\/strong> and the understanding of the word. However, we also find here that Vincent relates the terms for us although he leaves it as a commendation; he tells us that it, Praise,<\/strong> is to be seen as\u00a0corresponding to the moral value of the virtue\u00a0<\/em>and, since we have already come to see the apostles’ intent as instruction for disciples and aspirants, we must take this idea and also move it from the moral understanding of the world and place it into a spiritual endeavor. In this we can see the list and the summation of the list as Virtue<\/strong> from a spiritual perspective and then see the Praise<\/strong> as the practical application of that Virtue<\/strong> in the world of men. In any other sense we can not properly understand the intent of these last instructions to\u00a0disciples\u00a0and aspirants.<\/span><\/p>\n

      In several of the uses of this Greek word\u00a0epainos<\/em>\u00a0in the New Testament we find that the understanding of commendation or Praise<\/strong> does not work well and that\u00a0Virtue<\/strong> may be a better understanding as we paint it above. In other uses however we cannot find the right fit for our understanding of Virtue<\/strong> and hence we are yet looking for another\u00a0perspective of it from a language point of view that will suit our needs. There are two other Greek words that are translated as Praise<\/strong> in the New Testament, doxa<\/em> and ainos,\u00a0<\/em>with none<\/strong> being used by the Master. Strong’s tells us of doxa<\/em> that it has a wide range of meanings in the NT, corresponding closely to the Hebrew 3883; glory, splendor, brilliance\u00a0<\/em>and that it is rendered Praise<\/strong> despite these roots. The other, ainos<\/em>\u00a0is related to our word above epainos\u00a0<\/em>and means a saying<\/em> or a proverb\u00a0<\/em>2<\/sup>\u00a0 but it is rendered as Praise<\/strong> only and is used only twice and only in the gospels. Now all this only adds to the confusion on the use of this word Praise<\/strong> which we can see as being rendered in a doctrinal\u00a0way and based upon the use of Praise<\/strong> for the Lord in the Old Testament.<\/span><\/p>\n

      We close here today with two thoughts; first that we cannot<\/strong> see the reality of Praise<\/strong> as it is commonly understood as being the intent of the apostles in\u00a0regard\u00a0to man or God from the perspective of the disciple and his instruction. In our view, one would not want the Praise<\/strong> of men and would KNOW that it is in one’s keeping the word of God<\/em> that He is given ALL glory and Praise.<\/strong> Second, we take from the words of Paul who tells us that, “God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is\u00a0Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth\u00a0not in temples made with hands;\u00a0Neither is worshipped\u00a0with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing, seeing he giveth to all life, and breath, and all things<\/strong><\/em>” (Acts 17:24-25), the idea that is bolded as in this we understand that the ONLY True Praise<\/strong> can be in keeping His words<\/em>. Our overriding point in all this over the last several essays is to solidify our understanding of the apostles words and instructions to disciples and aspirants and to offer the understanding that, contrary to doctrine, the idea of Praise<\/strong> is not meant as the commendation or even glory offered to God or men but rather as a part of the culmination of Paul’s words on things that the disciple will “think on<\/em>” which for us today is the expression of and the exhibition of that Virtue<\/strong> that steams forth in the Light of the Soul.<\/span><\/p>\n

      We did not get back to our discussion of the Fifteen Points listed again below. We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.<\/span><\/p>\n

      I Am Really In Truth:\u00a0\u2021<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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      1. If<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 I always look for the best in each person, situation and thing.<\/span><\/li>\n
      2. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I resolutely turn my back on the past, good or bad and live only in the present & future<\/span><\/li>\n
      3. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I forgive everybody without exception, no matter what he may have done; and if I then forgive MYSELF whole-heartedly.<\/span><\/li>\n
      4. If<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 I regard my job as sacred and do my day\u2019s work to the best of my ability (whether I like it or not).<\/span><\/li>\n
      5. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I take every means to demonstrate a healthy body and harmonious surroundings for myself.<\/span><\/li>\n
      6. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I endeavor to make my life of as much service to others as possible, without interfering or fussing.<\/span><\/li>\n
      7. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I take every opportunity wisely to spread the knowledge of Truth to others.<\/span><\/li>\n
      8. If<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 I rigidly refrain from personal criticism, and neither speak nor listen to gossip.<\/span><\/li>\n
      9. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I devote at least a quarter of an hour a day to prayer and meditation.<\/span><\/li>\n
      10. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I read at least seven verses of the Bible everyday.<\/span><\/li>\n
      11. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I specifically claim spiritual understanding of myself every day.<\/span><\/li>\n
      12. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I train myself to give the first thought on waking to God.<\/span><\/li>\n
      13. If\u00a0<\/strong>– I speak the Word for the whole world every day, say at noon.<\/span><\/li>\n
      14. If<\/strong>\u00a0\u2013 I PRACTICE, the Golden Rule of Jesus instead of merely admiring it. He said, \u201cWhatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.\u201d The important point about the Golden Rule is that I am to practice it whether the other fellow does so or not.<\/span><\/li>\n
      15. If \u2013 above all, I understand that whatever I see is but a picture which can be changed for the better b<\/strong>y Scientific Prayer.<\/strong><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
        Aspect of God<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nPotency<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nExpressed as Fire<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nAspect of Man<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\nIn\u00a0<\/strong>Relation<\/strong>\u00a0to the Christ<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
        GOD, The Father<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nWill or Power<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nElectric Fire<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nSpirit or Life<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nLife<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Son, The Christ<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nLove and Wisdom<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nSolar Fire<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nSoul or Christ Within<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nTruth<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
        Holy Spirit<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nLight or Activity<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nFire by Friction<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nLife Within the Form<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\nWay<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

        Note on the Quote of the Day<\/span><\/h2>\n

        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:<\/span><\/p>\n

        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.<\/span><\/p>\n

        From the point of Light within the Mind of God<\/strong><\/span>
        \n Let light stream forth into the minds of men.<\/strong><\/span>
        \n Let Light descend on Earth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        From the point of Love within the Heart of God<\/strong><\/span>
        \n Let love stream forth into the hearts of men.<\/strong><\/span>
        \n May Christ return to Earth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        From the centre where the Will of God is known<\/strong><\/span>
        \n Let purpose guide the little wills of men\u2013<\/strong><\/span>
        \n The purpose which the Masters know and serve.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        From the centre which we call the race of men<\/strong><\/span>
        \n Let the Plan of Love and Light work out<\/strong><\/span>
        \n And may it seal the door where evil dwells.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        Let Light and Love and Power restore the Plan on Earth.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

        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<\/span><\/p>\n

        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\u2014the 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.<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

        Like the Lord\u2019s 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\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n

        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 seen as the Potent Powers of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.<\/span><\/p>\n

        Let the peace of God rule in your hearts!<\/span><\/h2>\n