"It is 'a consummation devoutly to be wished' that all nations shall speedily learn and practise the intermediate line of justice between the classes and masses of mankind, and thus exemplify in all things the universal equity of Christianity.” (Miscellany)

"In all things the universal equity of Christianity" is the will of divine Love.

Imagine a woman with no formal religious training, in an age long before women had the right to vote, and certainly, in religious circles, outrageous to think a woman could have a divine revelation! writing the selection below (Science and Health, Mary Baker Glover, published in 1875):

It is either heresy, or the clearest articulation of Jesus' Christianity. You decide. 

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:

If someone loves to love, does that mean they believe in God? Of course we are not talking about the sham of personal affection which fluctuates depending upon circumstance - but about the universal love which loves no matter who is there, no matter what.

When Jesus said that the first commandment was to love God above all, he then made the astounding declaration that the second commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself, was like unto the first - in other words loving your neighbor as yourself equates to loving God!! To make it abundantly clear, Jesus followed with the parable of the Good Samaritan: a Levite and a priest, both professers of loving God, avoided a beaten up and robbed man alongside the road, while the Samaritan, of a despised class of “non-believers”, stopped to help the victim, took him to an inn, paid for his stay as long as he needed it. The Samaritan did not know the victim from Adam, yet risked his own well-being to help him.

The takeaway is that the Good Samaritan demonstrated his love of God, while the Levite and priest, though esteemed religionists, demonstrated that they did not love God at all. Profession counts for nothing before the Judgement Seat of Love.  

“Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” (Psalms) This beautiful prayer sets the tone for true communication.

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...

This Christ message, so prevalent during the Christmas Season - where does it come from? I used to think it was the feeling of relief when all the rushing stopped on Christmas morning. But now it is apparent the message is HUGE, embracing all mankind.

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!

“Sinners are never saved.” (1st Ed S&H) To most Christians this is heresy. Their whole pitch of Christianity is that Jesus died for our sins! But what says Paul, the earliest documenter of Christianity (some contend, the most accurate)? “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” A sinner who stops sinning is dead! - no longer a sinner.

Many hold smooth sailing, or easy progress, as the goal in life. The Socialist ideal is caring for people from the cradle to the grave, minimizing the bumps along the way.

In business, in sports, in the arts, in research, in education, etc. smooth sailing is a recipe for failure - and it is an anathema to spiritual growth, to true Christian living. Why is this?

Why is it that so many today feel comfortable identifying themselves with spirituality rather than religion? This question is particularly relevant for those concerned about the diminishing presence and influence of Christianity in the Western world.

Many Christian denominations promise salvation just by professing Jesus Christ and passing through the baptism ritual. Too often Christian Scientists assume they are a child of God just by claiming it! What utter nonsense!

"Be­lieving in God never made a Christian."  (1st Edition of Science and Health)

What?? I spent a lifetime reciting the Nicene Creed (starts off with "I believe in...) which defines what a Christian must believe. Who did Mary Baker Glover think she was?

Too often the kingdom of God is thought of as a place where good people go after death. But this is far from the teaching and legacy of Christ Jesus.
His instructions are clear, for the present, not some future existence: “Take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on… But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.”

This morning I read another challenging passage in the Bible (I look for the challenging passages!) Jesus taught that when you have guests over for dinner or whatever, don't invite your friends, family members or "important people", lest they reciprocate. Instead, invite "the poor, the lame, the maimed, the blind," those who cannot give back - and you will be blessed and rewarded "at the resurrection of the just." (Luke 14)

This morning I opened to "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." (from Paul to the Galations)

What's this all about? Free from what? Paul then went on to say "if ye be circumcised, Christ shall profit you nothing." "Christ shall be of no effect unto you, whosoever are justified by the law." Ouch!! to those faithful church-going types who do everything they are supposed to do...

We have a choice, although few choose... either everything is chance or there is no chance. Either existence is made up of good luck and bad luck, or there is no such thing as luck. If chance or luck is legitimate, then we are doomed to amoral non-intelligence, for that is what luck is.

Denying personal sense, having but one God, taking up the cross and following Christ, Truth, is the only Christianity, but doctrines and creeds have little to do with this. (1st Ed S&H)

Except you are more spiritual than the religious class (scribes and Pharisees), you will never enter the kingdom of heaven, Jesus warned his listeners. Now that was a severe rebuke to the holier-than-thou crowd!