Changes

So how does [[truth]] begin to break [[cycles]] of unrighteousness? Men do not seek to be righteous out of the [[bondage]] of [[duty]]. Men seek to be righteous out of the love of God. Love God and you will know him and knowing him you will identify with him and seek to be more like him yourselves. That inner drive has a [[purpose]]. Love brings with it [[insight]], [[charity]], and [[fortitude]] for he who has his purpose stayed upon [[the Father]] can withstand all earthly trouble. He whose purpose is stayed upon the Father naturally seeks to be [[charitable]], and he who receives the Father's love naturally seeks to [[share]] that love. This is the truth. [[The Master]] also said that the meek shall inherit the earth. And what then is [[meekness]] than a description of human beings growing in spiritual [[righteousness]] and therefore growing in love and charity.

So how does [[truth]] begin to break [[cycles]] of unrighteousness? Men do not seek to be righteous out of the [[bondage]] of [[duty]]. Men seek to be righteous out of the love of God. Love God and you will know him and knowing him you will identify with him and seek to be more like him yourselves. That inner drive has a [[purpose]]. Love brings with it [[insight]], [[charity]], and [[fortitude]] for he who has his purpose stayed upon [[the Father]] can withstand all earthly trouble. He whose purpose is stayed upon the Father naturally seeks to be [[charitable]], and he who receives the Father's love naturally seeks to [[share]] that love. This is the truth. [[The Master]] also said that the meek shall inherit the earth. And what then is [[meekness]] than a description of human beings growing in spiritual [[righteousness]] and therefore growing in love and charity.

===='''''[[Tradition]]''''', '''''[[Christianity]]'''''====

===='''''[[Islam]]''''', '''''[[Christianity]]'''''====

Never forget that [[the Father]] loves all his children and that he seeks only there betterment. [[Spiritual progress]]ion is never served by [[aggression]]. Those who would seek to promote spiritual progression by way of the [[sword]] are sadly mistaken. The world must very soon find ways to [[accommodate]] all its peoples without resort to [[violence]]. [[Destruction]], [[famine]], and [[pestilence]] come all three together. [[Humanity]] must be served in better ways.

Never forget that [[the Father]] loves all his children and that he seeks only there betterment. [[Spiritual progress]]ion is never served by [[aggression]]. Those who would seek to promote spiritual progression by way of the [[sword]] are sadly mistaken. The world must very soon find ways to [[accommodate]] all its peoples without resort to [[violence]]. [[Destruction]], [[famine]], and [[pestilence]] come all three together. [[Humanity]] must be served in better ways.

[[Humanity]] is going through very rapid [[progress]] at this time and rapid progress generally creates a backlash of [[fear]]. And the [[churches]] which are the carriers of [[tradition]] are often the source of this fearful backlash against rapid social [[change]]. This is what is happening all over the world from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist Baptist pulpits] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque Mosques]. Your world is fearful of too much change.

[[Humanity]] is going through very rapid [[progress]] at this time and rapid progress generally creates a backlash of [[fear]]. And the [[churches]] which are the carriers of [[tradition]] are often the source of this fearful backlash against rapid social [[change]]. This is what is happening all over the world from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern_Baptist Baptist pulpits] to [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque Mosques]. Your world is fearful of too much change.

===='''''[[Jesus]]'''''====

 

===='''''[[Jesus]]''''', '''''[[Tradition]]'''''====

[[The Master]] was a spearhead for [[change]]. He flouted [[tradition]]. He was open in speaking with all kinds of people, [[women]] and [[men]], children and adults. He was [[literally]] the [[face]] of God to a [[generation]]. But that face now is cloudy, [[distorted]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_christianity 20 centuries of human tradition]. The friendly boat builder from [[Galilee]] who raised women to his side and spoke of God as Father is barely visible through the baggage of time.

[[The Master]] was a spearhead for [[change]]. He flouted [[tradition]]. He was open in speaking with all kinds of people, [[women]] and [[men]], children and adults. He was [[literally]] the [[face]] of God to a [[generation]]. But that face now is cloudy, [[distorted]] from [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_christianity 20 centuries of human tradition]. The friendly boat builder from [[Galilee]] who raised women to his side and spoke of God as Father is barely visible through the baggage of time.

[[Human being]]s are [[weak]] creatures. You all have your grey areas, your [[struggles]] with [[self]], and this is as it should be but remember [[progress]] is made through that [[certainty]] of [[faith]]. Be certain and secure in your relationship to God. Let nothing [[interfere]] with it. Seek God with all your [[heart]] and all your might. Seek the higher way. [[Descend]] not into the lower [[impulses]]. Be [[beacons]] of love to those who need love so [[desperately]]. This is the way. There is no other.

[[Human being]]s are [[weak]] creatures. You all have your grey areas, your [[struggles]] with [[self]], and this is as it should be but remember [[progress]] is made through that [[certainty]] of [[faith]]. Be certain and secure in your relationship to God. Let nothing [[interfere]] with it. Seek God with all your [[heart]] and all your might. Seek the higher way. [[Descend]] not into the lower [[impulses]]. Be [[beacons]] of love to those who need love so [[desperately]]. This is the way. There is no other.

===Closing===

===Closing===

This has been a long lesson so we will defer [[questions]] until next week. During the week, think about how you can make God your [[everything]] and in what ways do you slight him and turn in other [[directions]]. What does it mean when we talk about [[dedication]]? What does it mean when we speak of [[faith]] and [[trust]]? Learn to sort the big things from the small. When all the small things are brushed away, what is the center of your [[reality]]? What are your true [[goals]] in life? Is that restlessness and [[hunger]] for [[perfection]] leading you into [[truth]], righteousness and love or are you tricking yourself into [[thinking]] that self-serving is a way to [[channel]] your energies and make [[progress]]?

This has been a long lesson so we will defer [[questions]] until next week. During the week, think about how you can make God your [[everything]] and in what ways do you slight him and turn in other [[directions]]. What does it mean when we talk about [[dedication]]? What does it mean when we speak of [[faith]] and [[trust]]? Learn to sort the big things from the small. When all the small things are brushed away, what is the center of your [[reality]]? What are your true [[goals]] in life? Is that restlessness and [[hunger]] for [[perfection]] leading you into [[truth]], righteousness and love or are you tricking yourself into [[thinking]] that self-serving is a way to [[channel]] your energies and make [[progress]]?

[[Category: Perfection]]

[[Category: Perfection]]

[[Category: Freedom]]

[[Category: Freedom]]

[[Category: Christianity]]

[[Category: Christianity]]

[[Category: Jesus/TeaM]]

[[Category: Jesus/TeaM]]

[[Category: 2002]]

[[Category: 2002]]