{"id":5789,"date":"2013-02-18T20:34:21","date_gmt":"2013-02-19T01:34:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/?p=5789"},"modified":"2013-02-18T21:02:31","modified_gmt":"2013-02-19T02:02:31","slug":"in-the-words-of-jesus-part-590","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newagedevelopments.org\/blog\/2013\/02\/18\/in-the-words-of-jesus-part-590\/","title":{"rendered":"IN THE WORDS OF JESUS\u2013Part 590"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

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

ON LOVE; PART CLXXIX<\/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

Having cleared our topics of the last several weeks, the words of the Master to Nicodemus, the Fifteen Points of Emmet Fox and the varied side trips into other themes with the most valuable being the few essays that centered around the Apostle Paul’s words to his fellow disciples instructing them on what should be their focus<\/em> and how they should act in the world, we are ready to take on some new ideas. We will begin with some words from Paul that caught my attention a few weeks back as they appeared as the Verse of the Day from biblegateway.com :<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

“For\u00a0the\u00a0grace\u00a0of\u00a0God\u00a0that bringeth\u00a0salvation\u00a0hath\u00a0appeared\u00a0to\u00a0all\u00a0men, Teaching\u00a0us\u00a0that,\u00a0denying\u00a0ungodliness\u00a0and\u00a0worldly lusts,\u00a0we should\u00a0live\u00a0soberly,\u00a0righteously,\u00a0and\u00a0godly,\u00a0in\u00a0this\u00a0present\u00a0world<\/span><\/em><\/strong>” \u00a0 (Titus 2:11-12).<\/span><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

We begin here with the word grace,<\/strong><\/em> a word that is attributed to the ‘gifts’ of God and are usually seen in Earthly measures by church doctrines and this is the common\u00a0assumption\u00a0as well.<\/p>\n

    \n
  • The list of\u00a0definitions\u00a0in our oldest dictionary reference is lengthy and we place here only the first several that deal with spiritual matters: \u00a01. Favor; good will; kindness; disposition to oblige another; as a grant made as an act of grace.\u00a0Or each, or all, may win a lady”s grace.\u00a02. Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him<\/strong>.\u00a0And if by grace,then it is no more of works. Rom.11.\u00a03. Favorable influence of God; divine influence or the influence of the spirit, in renewing the heart and restraining from sin.\u00a0My grace is sufficient for thee. 2 Cor.12.\u00a04. The application of Christ”s righteousness to the sinner.\u00a0Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound. Rom.5.\u00a05. A state of reconciliation to God. Rom.5.2.\u00a06. Virtuous or religious affection or disposition, as a liberal disposition, faith, meekness, humility, patience, &c. proceeding from divine influence<\/em>\u00a01<\/sup>. We should note here that although these\u00a0definitions\u00a0are from a secular source, Webster’s 1828 version, they are at the same time oriented toward doctrine and we have left in the scriptural references which we seldom do to reveal this point.\u00a0<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • In contrast to this, our more modern dictionary gives us a much more secular understanding of grace saying:\u00a01. elegance and beauty of movement, form, expression, or proportion\u00a02. a pleasing or charming quality\u00a03. goodwill or favour\u00a04. the granting of a favour or the manifestation of goodwill, esp by a superior\u00a05. a sense of propriety and consideration for others\u00a06. ( plural )\u00a0a. affectation of manner (esp in the phrase airs and graces )\u00a0b. in someone’s good graces regarded favourably and with kindness by someone\u00a07. mercy; clemency\u00a08. Christianity\u00a0a. the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man<\/strong>\u00a0b. the divine assistance and power given to man in spiritual rebirth and sanctification\u00a0c. the condition of being favoured or sanctified by God\u00a0d. an unmerited gift, favour, etc, granted by God\u00a09. a short prayer recited before or after a meal to invoke a blessing upon the food or give thanks for it\u00a010. music a melodic ornament or decoration\u00a011. See days of grace\u00a012. with bad grace , with a bad grace unwillingly or grudgingly\u00a013. with good grace , with a good grace willingly or cheerfully\u00a0\u2014 vb\u00a014. ( tr ) to add elegance and beauty to: flowers graced the room\u00a015. ( tr ) to honour or favour: to grace a party with one’s presence\u00a016. to ornament or decorate (a melody, part, etc) with nonessential notes<\/em>. The common thread that we will use in these two dictionary references is in bold type as these lend themselves best to our understanding of this much misunderstood word\u00a010<\/sup>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n
  • Moving on to the lexicon we find these defining terms:\u00a0grace;\u00a0that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech;\u00a0good will, loving-kindness, favour<\/strong>;\u00a0of the merciful kindness by which God, exerting his holy influence upon souls, turns them to Christ, keeps, strengthens, increases them in Christian faith, knowledge, affection, and kindles them to the exercise of the Christian virtues;\u00a0what is due to grace;\u00a0the spiritual condition of one governed by the power of divine grace;\u00a0the token or proof of grace, benefit;\u00a0a gift of grace;\u00a0benefit, bounty;\u00a0thanks, (for benefits, services, favours), recompense, reward 2<\/sup><\/em>. Here we find a totally doctrinal approach to this word. We should note here that this Greek word, charis is translated as\u00a0grace\u00a0130, favour\u00a06, thanks\u00a04, thank\u00a04, thank\u00a0+\u00a0(2192)&version=kjv\u00a03, pleasure\u00a02, miscellaneous\u00a07.<\/em><\/li>\n
  • We interject here some word history:\u00a0Word story \u00a1Gracias! Grazie! When a Spanish or Italian speaker says thanks, they are invoking one of the meanings behind the word grace. \u00a0That\u2019s because grace, gracias, \u00a0and grazie \u00a0all descend from the same Latin word, gr\u0101tia. For the ancient Romans, gr\u0101tia \u00a0had three distinct meanings: (1) a pleasing quality, (2) favor or goodwill<\/strong>, and (3) gratitude or thanks. We find all three of these meanings in modern-day English. The first when we describe someone as having (or not having) grace: \u00a0\u201cDancing, she had all the grace of an elephant on skates.\u201d The second when we talk about giving or getting grace: \u00a0\u201cby the grace of God.\u201d And the third when we say grace \u00a0(i.e., \u201cthanks\u201d) at a meal 7<\/sup><\/em>.\u00a0Here we see the originating ideas of the English word as it is intended at its origin; again we have in bold type the ideas that fit into our premise of the intent of this word in scripture.<\/li>\n
  • Vincent addresses the saying “grace\u00a0of\u00a0God<\/strong><\/em>” as it applies to our saying from Titus, he tells us that:\u00a0The grace of\u00a0God\u00a0(h cariv tou qeou). A common Pauline phrase. The exact phrase only here in Pastorals. It is the ultimate\u00a0ground\u00a0of salvation<\/strong>. Comp.\u00a02 Tim. i. 9;\u00a0Eph. ii. 5, 8;\u00a0Gal. i. 15<\/em>\u00a04<\/sup>.\u00a0In another place Vincent gives us a more rounded understanding of the Greek word saying:\u00a0\u00a0Grace\u00a0(carin). From the same root as cairw, to rejoice.\u00a01. Primarily that which gives joy or pleasure; and hence outward\u00a0beauty, loveliness, something which delights the beholder. Thus Homer, of Ulysses going to the\u00a0assembly: “Athene shed down manly grace or\u00a0beauty\u00a0upon him” (Odyssey,” ii. 12); and Septuagint,\u00a0Ps. xlv. 3, “grace is poured into thy lips.” See also\u00a0Prov. i. 9;\u00a0iii. 22. Substantially the same idea, agreeableness, is conveyed in\u00a0Luke iv. 22, respecting the gracious\u00a0words, lit.,\u00a0words\u00a0of grace, uttered by Christ. So\u00a0Eph. iv. 29.\u00a02. As a beautiful or agreeable sentiment felt and expressed toward another; kindness, favor, good will.\u00a02 Cor. viii. 6, 7, 9;\u00a0ix. 8;\u00a0Luke i. 30;\u00a0ii. 40;\u00a0Acts ii. 47. So of the responsive sentiment of thankfulness. See\u00a0Luke vi. 32, 33, 34;\u00a0xvii. 9; but mostly in the formula thanks to\u00a0God;\u00a0Rom. vi. 17;\u00a01 Cor. xv. 57; 2 Corinthians ii. 14;\u00a02 Tim. i. 3.\u00a03. The substantial expression of good will<\/strong>; a boon, a favor, a\u00a0gift; but not in New Testament. See\u00a0Rom. v. 15, where the distinction is made between cariv, grace, and dwrea ejn cariti, a\u00a0giftin grace. So a gratification or delight, in\u00a0classical\u00a0Greek only; as the delight in battle, in\u00a0sleep, etc.\u00a04. The higher\u00a0Christian\u00a0signification, based on the emphasis of freeness in the\u00a0gift\u00a0or favor, and, as commonly in New Testament, denoting the free, spontaneous, absolute\u00a0loving\u00a0kindness of\u00a0God\u00a0toward\u00a0men<\/strong>, and so contrasted with debt,\u00a0law, works, sin. The word does not occur either in Matthew or Mark<\/em>\u00a04<\/sup>.\u00a0Here, although Vincent starts this definition as if it is translated as grace,<\/strong><\/em> it is actually translated as favour in the King James Bible that Vincent is commenting on. Here again we see the multiple uses of this single Greek word. While favour is a similar word in English, it is not the same though it can be readily exchanged in\u00a0scripture\u00a0with little difference in perceived context. As we proceed we will tend to look at grace<\/strong><\/em> as the universal approach and favour as the more specific and individual.<\/li>\n
  • Strong’s gives us this as the English\u00a0definition\u00a0of the Greek word charis:\u00a0grace, the state of kindness and favor toward someone<\/strong>, often with a focus on a\u00a0benefit\u00a0given to the object; by extension: gift, benefit; credit; words of kindness and benefit; thanks, blessing<\/em>\u00a03<\/sup>. We should note here that the word favor is used as part of the definition while as the same time it is also seen as an alternate meaning and translation.<\/li>\n
  • Last, we look at Vines where we read:\u00a0Grace:\u00a0charis\u00a0has various uses,\u00a0(a) objective, that which bestows or occasions pleasure, delight, or causes favorable regard; it is applied, e.g., to beauty, or gracefulness of person,\u00a0Luke 2:40;\u00a0act,\u00a02 Cor 8:6,\u00a0or speech,\u00a0Luke 4:22,\u00a0RV, “words of grace” (AV, “gracious words”);\u00a0Col 4:6;\u00a0(b) subjective, (1)\u00a0on the part of the bestower, the friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally, e.g.,\u00a0Acts 7:10;\u00a0especially with reference to the Divine favor or “grace,” e.g.,\u00a0Acts 14:26;\u00a0in this respect there is stress on its freeness and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus it is set in contrast with debt,\u00a0Rom 4:4,16,with works,\u00a0Rom 11:6,\u00a0and with law,\u00a0John 1:17;\u00a0see also, e.g.,\u00a0Rom 6:14,15;\u00a0Gal 5:4; (2)\u00a0on the part of the receiver, a sense of the favor bestowed, a feeling of gratitude, e.g.,\u00a0Rom 6:17\u00a0(“thanks”); in this respect it sometimes signifies “to be thankful,” e.g.,\u00a0Luke 17:9\u00a0(“doth he thank the servant?” lit., “hath he thanks to”);\u00a01 Tim 1:12;\u00a0(c) in another objective sense, the effect of “grace,” the spiritual state of those who have experienced its exercise, whether )\u00a0a state of “grace,” e.g.,\u00a0Rom 5:2;\u00a01 Pet 5:12;\u00a02 Pet 3:18,\u00a0or \u00a0(2) a proof thereof in practical effects, deeds of “grace,” e.g.,\u00a01 Cor 16:3,\u00a0RV, “bounty” (AV, “liberality”);\u00a02 Cor 8:6,19 (in\u00a02 Cor 9:8\u00a0it means the sum of earthly blessings); the power and equipment for ministry, e.g.,\u00a0Rom 1:5;\u00a0Rom 12:6;\u00a0Rom 15:15;\u00a01 Cor 3:10;\u00a0Gal 2:9;\u00a0Eph 3:2,7.\u00a0To be in favor with is to find “grace” with, e.g.,\u00a0Acts 2:47;\u00a0hence it appears in this sense at the beginning and the end of several Epistles, where the writer desires “grace” from God for the readers, e.g.,\u00a0Rom 1:7;\u00a01 Cor 1:3;\u00a0in this respect it is connected with the imperative mood of the word chairo, “to rejoice,” a mode of greeting among Greeks, e.g.,\u00a0Acts 15:23;\u00a0James 1:1\u00a0(marg.);\u00a02 John 1:10,11,\u00a0RV, “greeting” (AV, “God speed”).\u00a0The fact that “grace” is received both from God the Father,\u00a02 Cor 1:12,\u00a0and from Christ,\u00a0Gal 1:6;\u00a0Rom 5:15\u00a0(where both are mentioned), is a testimony to the deity of Christ. See also\u00a02 Thess 1:12,\u00a0where the phrase “according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” is to be taken with each of the preceding clauses, “in you,” “and ye in Him.”\u00a0In\u00a0James 4:6,\u00a0“But He giveth more grace” (Greek, “a greater grace,” RV, marg.), the statement is to be taken in connection with the preceding verse, which contains two remonstrating, rhetorical questions, “Think ye that the Scripture speaketh in vain?” and “Doth the Spirit (the Holy Spirit) which He made to dwell in us long unto envying?” (see the RV). The implied answer to each is “it cannot be so.” Accordingly, if those who are acting so flagrantly, as if it were so, will listen to the Scripture instead of letting it speak in vain, and will act so that the Holy Spirit may have His way within, God will give even “a greater grace,” namely, all that follows from humbleness and from turning away from the world 6<\/sup><\/em>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/em><\/span>Here in Vine’s there is a marked sense of defining based upon\u00a0perceived\u00a0doctrinal usage but with this we get the additional understanding of the modes in which the word is used. The objective can be seen as the more secular use of the word while the subjective can be seen from the perspective of the giver and the receiver. From the perspective of the subjective bestowal as we have in our verse above from Titus, we have selected the bolded text above although it is replete with doctrinal tone; the rest will serve to help us understand some of the other specific doctrinal uses of this word translated as grace.<\/strong><\/em><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Taking then the entries above that we have in bold type, let us begin to try to understand what IS meant by the “grace\u00a0of\u00a0God<\/em><\/strong>” as it is used by Paul. In the same order these are:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • From the 1828 Webster’s edition: Appropriately, the free unmerited love and favor of God, the spring and source of all the benefits men receive from him<\/strong>.<\/em>
      \n<\/span><\/li>\n
    • From a modern English dictionary:<\/strong> the free and unmerited favour of God shown towards man<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
    • From the Greek Lexicon: that which affords joy, pleasure, delight, sweetness, charm, loveliness: grace of speech;\u00a0good will, loving-kindness, favour<\/strong>;\u00a0<\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
    • From a dictionary word story:<\/strong> favor or\u00a0goodwill<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
    • <\/strong><\/em>From Vincent: It is the ultimate\u00a0ground\u00a0of salvation;\u00a0<\/em>The substantial expression of good will;\u00a0<\/em><\/strong>the free, spontaneous, absolute\u00a0loving\u00a0kindness of\u00a0God\u00a0toward\u00a0men<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
    • From Strong’s:<\/strong> the state of kindness and favor toward someone<\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n
    • From Vine’s: the<\/strong> friendly disposition from which the kindly act proceeds, graciousness, loving-kindness, goodwill generally, e.g.,\u00a0Acts 7:10;\u00a0especially with reference to the Divine favor or “grace,”;\u00a0freeness and universality, its spontaneous character, as in the case of God’s redemptive mercy, and the pleasure or joy He designs for the recipient; thus it is set in contrast with debt,\u00a0Rom 4:4,16,with works,\u00a0Rom 11:6,\u00a0and with law,\u00a0John 1:17;\u00a0see also, e.g.,\u00a0Rom 6:14,15;\u00a0Gal 5:4<\/strong><\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      The more common doctrinal understanding of grace<\/strong><\/em> can be seen in some of these\u00a0entries\u00a0above; it is often seen as a kind of gift to those upon whom God would bestow it. Now in our understanding we MUST link this dispensing of grace<\/strong><\/em> to our reality of the factual statement by the Apostle Peter that says “Of a truth I perceive that God is no\u00a0respecter\u00a0of\u00a0persons” (Acts 10;34), which says for us that there IS NO special gifting of grace<\/strong><\/em> or favor by God to any individual. ALL ARE equal, ALL ARE ONE, and the only place that there is\u00a0differentiation\u00a0is found in the spiritual progress that any particular Soul has made through his lives both past and present and even in this there IS NO special privilege given from the\u00a0perspective\u00a0of Life in form. This is True because the\u00a0further\u00a0one progresses along spiritual lines, the less impact the things of the world and the ideas of the world will have upon him and while there is ever deviation from this understanding based upon the active carnal Life of any Soul, those deviating and falling back in to the clutches of the illusion<\/strong> and the glamour,<\/strong> the Life of mammon if you will, also fall back into the reality that “God is no\u00a0respecter\u00a0of\u00a0persons”. Still the plight of every man is based upon the relative progression of the Soul over his long career of incarnations; his time and place of birth, the culture and status of it, as well as other factors of a current life, remain in the purview of the Soul in a sort of gravitational settling of each in an arena of Life that will be of some benefit toward the goal and the objective of the attainment of the Kingdom of God as a Soul in form in this world. There is no special benefit to any save that which has been earned by past progression toward this goal of redemption and I personally say this despite having in my own mind the realities in my own Life in which the apparent Providence of God has protected me and held me harmless throughout times of badly played Life events.<\/p>\n

      Through this ALL I cannot say that I have any special\u00a0privilege or that I have His grace<\/strong><\/em> based upon the Christian perspective of this which we can see noted above but I can premise that it is through the mystical workings of my own Soul that I am brought to this point; a point that I have come to through many fits and starts as regards spiritual endeavors as they are interlaced with Life segments of selfish carnal living. Still, as a man in form, I cannot see any special privilege save this which I cite above, no special favor, especially as it regards Life in form. In hindsight I can paint pictures of my Life through experiences\u00a0and people that have come into it and have unknowingly served to bring me steadily to the True goal and which have me currently doing this thing, this blog, which, as writing on these matters, has been perceived as my destiny for as long as I can remember having a destiny.<\/span><\/p>\n

      This then is our topic, the grace<\/strong><\/em> and the favor of God and what it Truly means away from the doctrines of the churches and the preconceived ideas that exist even in the secular world. We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.<\/span><\/p>\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>\n<\/em>Way<\/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