The door is open, let all who will, come.
Such is the embracing generosity of the Father as he extends his welcome to each of us to accept the gift of eternal life and the ever increasing capacity for joy of existence………………..adventure!
There are five specific instances of the phrase “all who will” in The Urantia Book, yet it contains hundreds of other references to the fact we are drawn to embark on this glorious ascension career to Paradise as a result of the loving call to perfection.
1. Our body is the physical “temple” and God stands at the door and knocks.
The physical bodies of mortals are “the temples of God.” Notwithstanding that the Sovereign Creator Sons come near the creatures of their inhabited worlds and “draw all men to themselves”; though they “stand at the door” of consciousness “and knock” and delight to come in to all who will “open the doors of their hearts”; although there does exist this intimate personal communion between the Creator Sons and their mortal creatures, nevertheless, mortal men have something from God himself which actually dwells within them; their bodies are the temples thereof. [Paper 1:4.2, page 26:4]
2. Our physical body hankers after the meat which perishes, best seek for the spiritual food that nourishes everlastingly.
“My brethren, hanker not after the meat which perishes but rather seek for the spiritual food that nourishes even to eternal life; and this is the bread of life which the Son gives to all who will take it and eat, for the Father has given the Son this life without measure. And when you asked me, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ I plainly told you: ‘This is the work of God, that you believe him whom he has sent.’” [Paper 153:2.7, page 1710:5]
3. Our physical body is nourished by bread. To experience eternal life, all who will, are offered the bread of life.
“I am this bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and are dead. But this bread which comes down from God, if a man eats thereof, he shall never die in spirit. I repeat, I am this living bread, and every soul who attains the realization of this united nature of God and man shall live forever. And this bread of life which I give to all who will receive is my own living and combined nature. The Father in the Son and the Son one with the Father — that is my life-giving revelation to the world and my saving gift to all nations.” [Paper 153:2.12, page 1711:4]
4. The invitation to accept sonship is extended to all with the capacity to respond to the call, it’s truly extended to all.
Jesus went over to Gamala to visit John and those who worked with him at that place. That evening, after the session of questions and answers, John said to Jesus: “Master, yesterday I went over to Ashtaroth to see a man who was teaching in your name and even claiming to be able to cast out devils. Now this fellow had never been with us, neither does he follow after us; therefore I forbade him to do such things.” Then said Jesus: “Forbid him not. Do you not perceive that this gospel of the kingdom shall presently be proclaimed in all the world? How can you expect that all who will believe the gospel shall be subject to your direction? Rejoice that already our teaching has begun to manifest itself beyond the bounds of our personal influence. Do you not see, John, that those who profess to do great works in my name must eventually support our cause? They certainly will not be quick to speak evil of me. My son, in matters of this sort it would be better for you to reckon that he who is not against us is for us. In the generations to come many who are not wholly worthy will do many strange things in my name, but I will not forbid them. I tell you that, even when a cup of cold water is given to a thirsty soul, the Father’s messengers shall ever make record of such a service of love.” [Paper 159:2.1, page 1764:3]
5. The same Jesus, now Michael Sovereign of Nebadon, Supreme Creator Son, with full authority over all living creatures in his realm, gives eternal life to “all who will” become faith sons of God.
“Father, my hour has come; now glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. I know that you have given me full authority over all living creatures in my realm, and I will give eternal life to all who will become faith sons of God. And this is eternal life, that my creatures should know you as the only true God and Father of all, and that they should believe in him whom you sent into the world. Father, I have exalted you on earth and have accomplished the work which you gave me to do. I have almost finished my bestowal upon the children of our own creation; there remains only for me to lay down my life in the flesh. And now, O my Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before this world was and receive me once more at your right hand.” [Paper 182:1.3, page 1963:5]
How good is that?
Accept the invitation-call to perfection and become an inspiration to others!
“You can’t hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening your own.”
