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)

===INTERACTION OF TRUTH, GOODNESS, AND KINDNESS===

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

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 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.

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.  

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 discreet 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]]. 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 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. Does this mean that kind acts are wasted on those who lack Adjusters? This issue is much debated. Jesus was kind to all regardless of Adjuster presence. However, extending the hand of friendship and love toward one who has no God fragment within certainly can be a dangerous undertaking to the mortal being in the sense of life and limb. I would say at this point in your planet's development it may be wisest to refrain from kind acts toward the truly iniquitous among you, if you are discerning enough to detect them. Only you know if you have that perceptual level at this time. It is my sincere hope that as Urantia moves forward there will be far far fewer of the iniquitous dwelling among than is presently the case. But for now teach your children to be guarded, not fearful, but guarded. Goodness. Goodness, as was commented during our last session, is God-likeness.

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.  

 

Does this mean that [[kind]] acts are wasted on those who lack [[Adjusters]]? This issue is much debated. Jesus was kind to all regardless of Adjuster presence. However, extending the hand of friendship and love toward one who has no God fragment within certainly can be a dangerous undertaking to the mortal being in the sense of life and limb. I would say at this point in your planet's development it may be wisest to refrain from kind acts toward the truly iniquitous among you, if you are discerning enough to detect them. Only you know if you have that perceptual level at this time. It is my sincere hope that as Urantia moves forward there will be far far fewer of the iniquitous dwelling among than is presently the case. But for now teach your children to be guarded, not fearful, but guarded. Goodness. Goodness, as was commented during our last session, is God-likeness.

What is the distinction between goodness and kindness? Goodness encompasses all that is like God, of the will of God, of the outworking of God. Kindness is a tenet of goodness. There is no goodness without kindness or truth, or vice versa. But goodness is more encompassing, includes not only the acts to others as does kindness, but also the acts of the individual, the inner mind workings and communications with the Adjuster, spirit strivings Godward, prayer, atonement. Jesus was the model of the good man. He was also kind and honest. He achieved that balanced and correct intermingling of goodness, kindness, and truth that is desirable for the Urantia mortal and indeed attainable, if you would strive mightily. I shall pause at this point in our lesson and receive questions and comments.

What is the distinction between goodness and kindness? Goodness encompasses all that is like God, of the will of God, of the outworking of God. Kindness is a tenet of goodness. There is no goodness without kindness or truth, or vice versa. But goodness is more encompassing, includes not only the acts to others as does kindness, but also the acts of the individual, the inner mind workings and communications with the Adjuster, spirit strivings Godward, prayer, atonement. Jesus was the model of the good man. He was also kind and honest. He achieved that balanced and correct intermingling of goodness, kindness, and truth that is desirable for the Urantia mortal and indeed attainable, if you would strive mightily. I shall pause at this point in our lesson and receive questions and comments.