"I if I be lifted up will draw all men unto me." - Jesus

Would it be blasphemy to consider this alongside Adam Smith's analysis:

"By pursing his own interest he frequently promotes that of society more effectually than when he really intends to promote it."

Some of you have encouraged me to record more of the Bible, so I am presently working on the Sermon on the Mount.

The Beatitudes are in line with the keynote of this website: "Truth comes when it is needed." Similarly, the Beatitudes describe conditions of thought that are receptive to blessing. It is as if Jesus were setting the prerequisite - if any of these Beatitudes apply to you, you will benefit from my teaching.

The following earth-shaking chapter in the Bible presents a challenge to any thinking person. On the one hand, it declares, for the first time anywhere, that God IS love. Nothing could be more universal! On the other hand, it makes a statement that has given rise to the worst intolerance among Christians! 

"Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist." What gives? Here is my take:

A while ago, I was encouraged to write down a list of things that I really wanted from the depths of my heart and to earnestly pray to God for them. I was promised that when I returned to the list later, I would be amazed at the results. Apparently, I did not do it right, because it was not my experience.

Today, the Prince of Tyrus, as described in Ezekiel, is alive and prospering, it would seem. In technology, medicine, politics, commerce, religion, etc. very ofter the inference is "I am God." These readings address the issue, and explain why the prophecy is inevitable.

Sin is an unpopular subject these days - "old" Christian theology has beaten it to death, and people are tired of regularly asking for forgiveness. It does not make a lot of sense, because there is no end in sight - just more sin.

We are taught that there is only one God. What we have not been taught is that we all have a different conception of God!! What blasphemy, they say. We have one, and only one Lord. But since we are all in different states and stages of consciousness... And since God is generally considered infinite, that is a rather large concept for each and every mortal to grasp uniformly!

In our final recorded section of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declares that, to everyone who thinks they are doing good in the name of his Father, but who are not doing the will of his Father, he will give thumbs down! "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." YIKES!

"Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God." Well then, purity has got to be a thing to aim for! HOWEVER, it has been my experience that those who talk about it most, are most likely to cover their impurity, and end up at the short end of the stick.

The petulant child may justify himself with “I did not choose to be here.” Truer words could not be spoken. None of us chose to be here! But here we are. Now what? 

An idea or thought is intangible is it not? And yet it precedes an invention, an action, etc. 

Our soul, our spirit, our love, clearly intangible - noone has ever found physical evidence for them, maybe for their effect, but not for them. We could go on and on about the very essence of our being...

Is it not worth noticing that the more attention society gives to the food we eat, the more unhealthy society becomes? The statistics are staggering regarding increasing obesity and its effects.

Why has the wisdom of Jesus' teaching been totally ignored? "There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile a man."

When Jesus was preparing for what was his certain crucifixion, he asked "if Thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but Thine be done." Here is the clearest example of personal sense vs Principle, that personal sentiment that wanted to avoid the painful ordeal, and then the turning to Principle in complete submission, trusting Him with "the bigger picture." As we know, "the bigger picture" turned out to be the most profound influence of one individual on all mankind ever.

According to the Gospel of John, Jesus did not trust “man” at all - "because he knew all men, And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.” He knew the nature of the human condition. He, the spiritual man, did not need the material thought testifying on his behalf, because he knew the fickle nature of this man - a self-centered perception, lacking moral depth.

Just think of it. The priest crowd (Caiaphas and company), Herod the Jewish king, and Pilate the Roman governor, all united in crucifying Jesus. See article on this website. Did anybody  push back, question? Even Peter, the disciple, lied three times, denying that he knew Jesus!! - all to avoid confrontation. Ah yes, unity can be a foul thing.

When I get settled, have financial security, then I will be happy. When I am healed, then I will have something to be grateful for. When I find a compatible partner, then I won't feel lonely anymore. When I win the lottery... When I have gained a greater spiritual understanding, then I will be at peace. These are examples of vain expectations which lead people to live unsatisfying lives. 

This morning I opened to Paul's letter to the Colossians chapter 2. If this is not a warning of church organization, I don't know what is! This is what I get:

"As you have received the Christ, Truth, use it.

Is there anything in my life that is outside of the jurisdiction of Truth? Do I ever get a break from God? Silly, isn't it. But ironically church "culture" tends to cultivate this. A special place to worship, special times to pray, a life segregated into church activities and "other" activities...

Whether parenting or teaching or governing or... there is always the balancing of principle and love, the demand for obedience/conformity and the need for providing nurturing and support. In identifying synonyms for God, Mary Baker Eddy included Principle, which, unlike the other six synonyms, does not explicitly appear in the Bible. She often used Principle with Love, leading us to the recognition that, in essence, Principle and Love are the same stuff, and if understood, there is no balancing act required at all!

Self-awareness receives a severe rebuke in the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus specifically calls out three activities commonly associated with "good" people, alms-giving, prayer, and fasting. In all three cases, he makes it clear that if you are aware of how you look, how righteous you look, you will have your reward, self-satisfaction? But in order gain God's ear, so to speak, to align yourself with the Principle of being, self-awareness must be gone!