ON LOVE; PART CMXLV

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GoodWill IS Love in Action

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FIRST IS THE GREAT COMMANDMENTS: “The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:29-31).

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WHAT THEN IS LOVE? In a general sense love is benevolence, good will; that disposition of heart which inclines men to think favorably of their fellow men, and to do them good. In a theological sense, it includes supreme love to God, and universal good will to men. While this IS from an older definition of Charity, which IS rendered in the King James Bible from the same Greek word agape which IS generally rendered as Love, we should amend our own definition here to include the idea that in the reality of Love a man will accord to ALL men ALL things that he would accord to himself and to say that Love IS our thoughts and attitude of the equality of ALL men regardless of their outward nature or appearance…that ALL ARE equally children of Our One God

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PLUS THE EVER IMPORTANT AND HIGH IDEAL TAUGHT TO US BY THE CHRIST: “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them” (Matthew 7:12).

In the last essay we completed our look at the first segment of the Apostle Paul’s words to the Galatians. In this segment where we find adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lasciviousness, we have a group of Greek ideas that have been rendered into sexual terms and which are seen most ONLY in a sexual context in the doctrines and teachings of men. Our deeper look reveals however that the Greek ideas of adultery and fornication ARE in reference to a much broader range of infidelity that just the sexual and, while the Greek word for adultery IS NOT even in the text, we have found that this translator’s addition has helped to cement the sexual view of men. Most ALL men DO NOT see past these sexual overtones of doctrine and into the reality that they ARE meant to focus upon God and the things of God and that ALL of their focus upon the self and the things of the self ARE that infidelity.

And it matters NOT what one’s focus may be nor does it matter that one’s focus IS upon the worldly views of religion; it IS focus upon God and the things of God, as we should see in the Great Commandment that we repeat again at the top of our essay, in the totality of one’s Life or, at a minimum, one’s striving toward that goal. It IS this that provides one’s deliverance “from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:21). If we can see how that one’s striving toward the goal of deliverance DOES give him some measure of such glorious liberty, we can then see the Way of the disciple and the aspirant who strive toward the fulfillment of Jesus’ injunction saying “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). And this striving IS found in one’s measure of keeping His words….there ARE NO shortcuts and NO special privilege for any. The Master shows us this reality rather clearly in those words that we call our trifecta of spiritual reality; here we find the totality of Truth….and some measure of Truth for the man who Truly strives. We read Jesus’ words as the trifecta again:

• “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free“ (John 8:31-32).
• “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
• “He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. Judas saith unto him, not Iscariot, Lord, how is it that thou wilt manifest thyself unto us, and not unto the world? Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings: and the word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me” (John 14:21-24).

And this IS the point of Paul’s words which define for us “the works of the flesh” and “the fruit of the Spirit“; we should see here how that his first segment of words marks for us Truth that to express adultery, fornication, uncleanness and lasciviousness as a man in this world IS to have ones focus upon the self and NOT upon God. This IS infidelity as we see in the first two words and this IS one’s selfish view of Life in the others; in uncleanness we should see the ideas as Vincent presents them for us, as: a spirit of selfish desire which is the spirit of covetousness ⁴ which coincides, along the line of lust and desire for the things of the world, with the lexicon’s definition of the Greek word akatharsia saying: the impurity of lustful, luxurious, profligate living ². We should see here the product of one’s infidelity, one’s lust and desire for those things that are deemed to offer pleasure; and this same idea carries through to the Greek word aselgeia which IS rendered in the King James Bible as lasciviousness here and as wantonness elsewhere.

It IS likely that the rendering of aselgeia as lasciviousness IS a purposeful act by the translators and a way to continue the sexual tone, a tone that DOES NOT come through so clearly when this word IS rendered as wantonness. In wantonness we find a broad range of ideas as we discussed in the last essay and if we can see this as extravagant and luxurious ¹ as we read in Webster’s 1828 version against the more modern idea of: extravagantly or excessively luxurious, as a person, manner of living, or style , we can likely see a deeper vision of Paul’s overall intent with this segment of words. Repeating the apostles words again we read:

“For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts” (Galatians 5:17-24).

If we can see these first words in the context of infidelity as a general attitude against the precepts of God and of the Lord who asks rhetorically “why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46), we can then see Paul’s greater point as he speaks to ‘believers’ who already KNOW that the gross carnal ideas of sex as these words are generally understood ARE NOT the Way of the disciple nor the aspirant. Today, in the common view of these words,  these ideas have become a way of pointing at the other guy and at the ways of men in the world who ARE NOT ‘believers’ while the reality IS that many that DO call Him Lord conduct themselves in this way also. In these common ideas of adultery and fornication, ALL men and women who have sexual relations outside of marriage ARE then transgressors and when we see how that uncleanness and lasciviousness are understood, we should be able to also see how that so many have such uncleanness which IS defined by John Gill as: a general name for all unchastity, in thought, word, or action ⁸.

While lasciviousness IS or can be the combination of these other terms when seen ONLY in the sexual tones of doctrine, we should understand that, as Jesus shows us regarding adultery, that it IS in thought that men ARE so first and foremost and that few will acknowledge their own deeper thoughts and feelings or actions when sex IS involved. When we can see that these sexual tones and connotations that have been assigned to the apostle’s words ARE BUT a small part of the overall idea of infidelity, of the overall idea of seeking after the things of the self rather than the things of God, we can then see the True relationships and how that acting in such infidelity, under the control of the carnal self, IS contrary to keeping His words. In this we can also then see how that Paul’s saying “that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” IS Truly akin to Jesus own words that we read above as our trifecta.

Paul’s next word IS eidololatreia which IS always rendered as idolatry in the King James version. In this word we should be reminded of Vincent’s thoughts on the word adultery where we read that: idolatry and intercourse with Gentiles were described as adultery ⁴. As we have previously discussed, this idea IS also incorporated into the ideas of fornication which IS defined by the lexicon as: the worship of idols ² and we should try to understand how that fornication can be the mental and emotional component of the whole idea of idolatry which IS one’s action in this world. While the common understanding IS that these ARE very separate ideas, one going to the strictly sexual and the other going to men’s religious ‘worship of other gods’, the greater reality IS found in the unity of these ideas and the reality of just what idolatry IS according to the apostle’s intent.

In the common understanding offered by doctrine, the reality of idolatry IS lost as we see in this from John Gill who says: Idolatry; Which some understand of covetousness, which is so called; but rather it means the worshipping of other gods, or of graven images ⁸. Mr. Gill says this despite Paul’s own defining of this idea of idolatry which we read in his Epistle to the Colossians saying: “Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry” (Colossians 3:5). Can we see the deeper Truths here? Can we see that idolatry IS men’s focus upon those things that they treasure, things that ARE NOT the things of God? And can we understand the broader implications of covetousness? that this IS the product of the lusts and the desires of men. Can we see that while this next segment of Paul’s words IS separated by the chapter and verse logic of doctrine, that there IS a continuation of his thoughts and his intent that IS NOT separated any sense of the sexual and the not sexual?

It IS in this idea of covetousness, of lust and of desires for the things of the world, that the whole of the idea of idolatry should be seen and this reality stretches back to the Old Testament as well….it IS the symbol of the golden calf, a calf made of gold, that had become the focus of the hearts of men in Moses’ day. This IS NOT in accord with the doctrinal view nor with the ideas presented in the movie, but rather this IS the reality: that they preferred their Life in Egypt under the rule of the Egyptians over the single-mindedness of Moses’ walk with God. And what IS the worship of idols ², as the lexicon also frames fornication, but the idea of honor and attention or, as we say, focus? We should try to see how that this idea of focus IS universally applicable to most ALL of these ideas from Paul and it IS this same idea that Jesus Himself presents as He speaks about treasure and about that choice between God and mammon. The choice IS ever in regard to who to serve, who to honor and upon what one will focus his Life….on what will be one’s treasure. Jesus clearly tells us that “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also” (Matthew 6:21) and if we can see this principal in Paul’s list of “the works of the flesh” and “the fruit of the Spirit“, we can then better understand our spiritual goals.

While the many may believe according to the doctrines of men that this idea of treasure IS but riches and possessions, the greater Truth IS that this sense of treasure that the Master presents IS every thought, every attitude and every action of the man in this world. Here a man can focus upon the things of the world or upon the things of God and these ARE the reality of focus upon God or mammon. IS it ironic that within the common view of Jesus’ words here on treasure and on God and mammon, those that see ONLY the idea of treasure still DO NOT grasp the fullness of the Master’s intent as they go about Life seeking for ever more and better according to the ways of the world. Jesus reality IS that one should focus upon the things of God and NOT mammon which IS yet another misunderstood and misapplied word that should be seen as reference to ALL things that ARE NOT the things of God. It IS in Jesus words from the Sermon on the Mount that we should be able to see Paul’s whole idea of idolatry; we read again:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt , and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24).

In these ideas we have a clarity of one’s journey to the Kingdom through focus upon the things of God and it IS this focus that IS both the cause and the result of keeping His words. While most doctrinal teachings shy away from these ideas according to the Master’s intent, the Truth IS there for ALL to see and to understand; the choice IS ever there. It is here that we should try to see and understand Paul’s idea of idolatry as well as the words from the prior segment that show the infidelity of the carnal man through his striving for the things of the flesh rather than the things of God.

We will continue with our thoughts in the next post.

Aspect of God	Potency	Aspect of Man	In Relation to the Great Invocation	In relation to the Christ
GOD, The Father	Will or Power	Spirit or Life	Center where the Will of God IS KNOWN	Life
Son, The Christ	Love and Wisdom	Soul or Christ Within	Heart of God	Truth
Holy Spirit	Light or Activity	Life Within	Mind of God	Way

Note on the Quote of the Day

This daily blog also has a Quote of the Day which may not be in any way related to the essay. Many of these will be from the Bible and some just prayers or meditations that may have an influence on you and are in line with the subject matter of this blog. As the quote will change daily and will not store with the post, it is repeated in this section with the book reference and comment.

This Quote of the Day is the antithesis of glamour and illusion. In this mantram are the thoughts about ourselves and our brothers in the world that can diffuse these forces that hold a man in the world of things and prevent his spiritual progress.

Mantram of Unification

The sons of men are one and I am one with them.
I seek to love, not hate;
I seek to serve and not exact due service;
I seek to heal, not hurt.

Let pain bring due reward of light and love.
Let the Soul control the outer form, and life and all events,
And bring to light the love that underlies the happenings of the time.

Let vision come and insight.
Let the future stand revealed.
Let inner union demonstrate and outer cleavages be gone.
Let love prevail.
Let all men love.

The Mantram of Unification is a meditation and a prayer that at first affirms the unity of all men and the Brotherhood of Man based on the Fatherhood of God. The first stanza sets forth several truly Christian ideals in Unity, Love, Service and Healing. The second stanza is a invocation to the Lord and to our own Souls asking that from the pain (if there can truly be any) incurred in focusing on the Spirit and not the world will come Light and Love into our lives and that we begin to function as Souls through our conscious personalities. We ask that the spiritual control of our lives will bring to light for us the Love that underlies world events; a Love that the world oriented man will not see working out behind the scenes and also that the Love that we bring forth, individually and as a world group, can be seen by all and ultimately in all. Finally, in the last stanza we ask for those things that are needed for Love to abound. Vision and insight so that we can direct our attention properly; revelation of the future in the sense that all can see the Power of Love in the world; inner union so that we do not fall back into the world’s ways, that we faint not; and that a sense of separation, the antithesis of brotherhood, ends as we know it today. Let Love Prevail, Let All Men Love.spiritual control of our lives will bring to light for us the Love that underlies world events; a Love that the world oriented man will not see working out behind the scenes.

Let the peace of God rule in your hearts

• ¹ Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, 1828 and 1913
•  ² New Testament Greek Lexicon on BibleStudyTools.com
•  ⁴ Word Studies in the New Testament; Marvin R Vincent D.D. 2nd edition, 1888
• ⁷ Dictionary.com Unabridged based on Random House Dictionary – 2011
• ⁸ Bible commentaries on BibleStudyTools.com