Changes

I leave you, then, with this [[thought]]: that the outworking of [[truth]] is ever and always reliant upon the [[faith]] of the [[individual]]. You have been offered many [[exercises]] that are conducive of faith [[growth]], [[spirit growth]], and truthful living. Avail yourselves of these [[exercises]], my children. And be [[assured]] that you are much loved, very much loved, and have many, many to [[assist]] you. That is the end of this lesson. (05/15/93)

I leave you, then, with this [[thought]]: that the outworking of [[truth]] is ever and always reliant upon the [[faith]] of the [[individual]]. You have been offered many [[exercises]] that are conducive of faith [[growth]], [[spirit growth]], and truthful living. Avail yourselves of these [[exercises]], my children. And be [[assured]] that you are much loved, very much loved, and have many, many to [[assist]] you. That is the end of this lesson. (05/15/93)

===='''''[[Truth]]'''''===

===='''''[[Truth]]'''''====

*Interaction of Truth, Goodness, and Kindness

*Interaction of Truth, Goodness, and Kindness

Today's lesson will be somewhat [[complex]], for we shall be joining the threads of [[three]] separate subjects [[together]], intertwining them. I shall be doing this increasingly in the remaining lessons, for my time with you [[grows]] short, regrettably. Today we shall [[discuss]] the [[interactions]] among [[truth]], [[goodness]], and [[kindness]], for this is an area which poses considerable [[difficulty]] for [[mortals]] of [[Isolated worlds|worlds that have been in rebellion]], such as [[Urantia]]. At the outset it may seem difficult to [[understand]] how there could be [[conflict]] among these three tenets of God's will, and yet if you [[explore]] your own [[memory]] record, you will certainly find numerous instances during which you have grappled mightily with what seem to be [[conflicting]] [[goals]] in terms of [[satisfying]] the requirements for [[goodness]], [[kindness]], and [[truth]], which your [[Adjuster]] leads you toward continuously.  

Today's lesson will be somewhat [[complex]], for we shall be joining the threads of [[three]] separate subjects [[together]], intertwining them. I shall be doing this increasingly in the remaining lessons, for my time with you [[grows]] short, regrettably. Today we shall [[discuss]] the [[interactions]] among [[truth]], [[goodness]], and [[kindness]], for this is an area which poses considerable [[difficulty]] for [[mortals]] of [[Isolated worlds|worlds that have been in rebellion]], such as [[Urantia]]. At the outset it may seem difficult to [[understand]] how there could be [[conflict]] among these three tenets of God's will, and yet if you [[explore]] your own [[memory]] record, you will certainly find numerous instances during which you have grappled mightily with what seem to be [[conflicting]] [[goals]] in terms of [[satisfying]] the requirements for [[goodness]], [[kindness]], and [[truth]], which your [[Adjuster]] leads you toward continuously.  

*[[Truth]]. It has been said by your philosopher that the [[honest]] man, the truly honest man, continuously runs [[risk]] of life and limb. Why should this be when truth is such an [[essential]] ingredient of [[spirit growth]] and Father nearness? To the contrary it would be [[expected]] that the [[honest]] man would be exalted in [[society]], much treasured. But indeed he who is honest without remitting will definitely have much [[difficulty]] in managing [[social]] relations on [[Urantia]] as it stands now. For the [[honest]] man causes [[pain]] among his fellows in at least two different ways. By being honest he serves as a reminder to others who are [[sensitive]] in this regard of their own lack of complete [[honesty]].

*[[Truth]].

It has been said by your philosopher that the [[honest]] man, the truly honest man, continuously runs [[risk]] of life and limb. Why should this be when truth is such an [[essential]] ingredient of [[spirit growth]] and Father nearness? To the contrary it would be [[expected]] that the [[honest]] man would be exalted in [[society]], much treasured. But indeed he who is honest without remitting will definitely have much [[difficulty]] in managing [[social]] relations on [[Urantia]] as it stands now. For the [[honest]] man causes [[pain]] among his fellows in at least two different ways. By being honest he serves as a reminder to others who are [[sensitive]] in this regard of their own lack of complete [[honesty]].

Secondly, the [[honest]] man is apt to comment on [[imperfection]] which arouses enormous [[hostility]] in [[persons]] who are predominately [[animal]] driven in [[purpose]], for it is the way of the animal mind to [[assume]] [[self]]-perfection and be blinded to the imperfections of one's [[being]] and one's near [[environment]], for this is seen by the animal as an outworking of the [[self]], what you would call [[narcissism]]. To put it in your [[psychological]] terms, the narcissistic [[ego]] is wounded by the [[notations]] of imperfection in its sphere of [[influence]] and is likely to strike out even unto [[death]] to [[quiet]] the voice which is [[disturbing]]. Now the [[difficulties]] faced by the [[honest]] person on [[Urantia]] greatly compound the [[problem]] of [[spirit growth]] of [[individuals]], for [[fear]] is the [[logical]] response of those of [[animal]] origin to threat to life and limb. And [[fear]], as you know, is [[toxic]] to [[spirit growth]] and [[attainment]]. And yet, you all know quite well that without [[truth]] there is no [[goodness]] or [[kindness]]. There cannot be. The will of Father is complete, not [[fragmented]]. You cannot act out Father's will in one [[discrete]] area and turn your back on His will in another. There is no such thing, despite what some in your [[culture]], even devout religionists, maintain.  

Secondly, the [[honest]] man is apt to comment on [[imperfection]] which arouses enormous [[hostility]] in [[persons]] who are predominately [[animal]] driven in [[purpose]], for it is the way of the animal mind to [[assume]] [[self]]-perfection and be blinded to the imperfections of one's [[being]] and one's near [[environment]], for this is seen by the animal as an outworking of the [[self]], what you would call [[narcissism]]. To put it in your [[psychological]] terms, the narcissistic [[ego]] is wounded by the [[notations]] of imperfection in its sphere of [[influence]] and is likely to strike out even unto [[death]] to [[quiet]] the voice which is [[disturbing]]. Now the [[difficulties]] faced by the [[honest]] person on [[Urantia]] greatly compound the [[problem]] of [[spirit growth]] of [[individuals]], for [[fear]] is the [[logical]] response of those of [[animal]] origin to threat to life and limb. And [[fear]], as you know, is [[toxic]] to [[spirit growth]] and [[attainment]]. And yet, you all know quite well that without [[truth]] there is no [[goodness]] or [[kindness]]. There cannot be. The will of Father is complete, not [[fragmented]]. You cannot act out Father's will in one [[discrete]] area and turn your back on His will in another. There is no such thing, despite what some in your [[culture]], even devout religionists, maintain.  

*[[Kindness]]. Kindness is so [[critical]] to [[spirit growth]] and must be present in great [[measure]] on [[Urantia]] in order for even the smallest increment of [[progress]] to occur. Kindness, however [[difficult]] it may be at times for you, my dear [[friends]], serves as a bridge that will carry you from [[fear]] and [[pride]] and [[rage]], and the other base [[qualities]] of [[animal]] mind thought, [[Godward]]. It is characteristic of animals to [[respond]] [[positively]] to [[kindness]], but, of course, it is always [[dangerous]] to deal with animals, and so carrying out kind [[acts]] requires [[courage]] and [[strength]]. And these two will strengthen your [[journey]] from your animal origins [[Godward]].  

*[[Kindness]].  

Kindness is so [[critical]] to [[spirit growth]] and must be present in great [[measure]] on [[Urantia]] in order for even the smallest increment of [[progress]] to occur. Kindness, however [[difficult]] it may be at times for you, my dear [[friends]], serves as a bridge that will carry you from [[fear]] and [[pride]] and [[rage]], and the other base [[qualities]] of [[animal]] mind thought, [[Godward]]. It is characteristic of animals to [[respond]] [[positively]] to [[kindness]], but, of course, it is always [[dangerous]] to deal with animals, and so carrying out kind [[acts]] requires [[courage]] and [[strength]]. And these two will strengthen your [[journey]] from your animal origins [[Godward]].  

Kindness does not mean giving [[materially]]. This cannot be [[emphasized]] strongly enough. Material [[things]] have naught to do with God's will. They're [[animal]] [[entities]] no matter how finely crafted, securely held, or highly prized they may be. It is a mistaken [[belief]] to assume one is being [[kind]] in the [[bestowal]] of material objects upon another who is deemed unfortunate. You all know this, and yet it is a most [[difficult]] [[concept]] for mortal beings to grasp. Even for myself it is still an area that requires [[study]] and [[diligence]]. Kindness has far more to do with the [[maintenance]] of good will toward your fellows. [[Think]] on the life of [[Jesus]], ever [[kind]], ever loving, [[gentle]], peaceful of spirit, [[forgiving]], [[humble]], and yet He did not hand out [[money]]. He did not [[share]] [[wealth]] of material sort with others. Yet his [[kindness]] was much prized by all who [[received]], it as is yours, for the receipt of kindness by a [[mortal]] being [[resonates]] with the [[Thought Adjuster]] within the [[other]], and [[God]] in [[Paradise]] is aware that good has been done and [[responds]] positively.  

Kindness does not mean giving [[materially]]. This cannot be [[emphasized]] strongly enough. Material [[things]] have naught to do with God's will. They're [[animal]] [[entities]] no matter how finely crafted, securely held, or highly prized they may be. It is a mistaken [[belief]] to assume one is being [[kind]] in the [[bestowal]] of material objects upon another who is deemed unfortunate. You all know this, and yet it is a most [[difficult]] [[concept]] for mortal beings to grasp. Even for myself it is still an area that requires [[study]] and [[diligence]]. Kindness has far more to do with the [[maintenance]] of good will toward your fellows. [[Think]] on the life of [[Jesus]], ever [[kind]], ever loving, [[gentle]], peaceful of spirit, [[forgiving]], [[humble]], and yet He did not hand out [[money]]. He did not [[share]] [[wealth]] of material sort with others. Yet his [[kindness]] was much prized by all who [[received]], it as is yours, for the receipt of kindness by a [[mortal]] being [[resonates]] with the [[Thought Adjuster]] within the [[other]], and [[God]] in [[Paradise]] is aware that good has been done and [[responds]] positively.