Many of you stand at the parting of the ways, the times in which we live present ample opportunities to make a sureme choice regarding active participation as willing members of the spiritual brotherhood.
“What is it you seek as evidence of my mission on earth? We have left you undisturbed in your positions of influence and power while we preached glad tidings to the poor and the outcast. We have made no hostile attack upon that which you hold in reverence but have rather proclaimed new liberty for man’s fear-ridden soul. I came into the world to reveal my Father and to establish on earth the spiritual brotherhood of the sons of God, the kingdom of heaven. And notwithstanding that I have so many times reminded you that my kingdom is not of this world, still has my Father granted you many manifestations of material wonders in addition to more evidential spiritual transformations and regenerations.” [Paper 153:2.4, page 1710:2]
“What new sign is it that you seek at my hands? I declare that you already have sufficient evidence to enable you to make your decision. Verily, verily, I say to many who sit before me this day, you are confronted with the necessity of choosing which way you will go; and I say to you, as Joshua said to your forefathers, ‘choose you this day whom you will serve.’ Today, many of you stand at the parting of the ways.” [Paper 153:2.5, page 1710:3]
It is all the more incumbent on believers to exhibit spiritual brotherhood because they know exactly what they are doing. When Jesus looked down from the cross—even in physical agony—he was capable of extending the hand of mercy to his tormentors appealing to the Father, to intercede on their behalf, “forgive them for they know not what they do.” I conjecture that such forgiveness would be conditional on each individual acting on their highest light. Once the truth is known, there follows a responsibility to live it to the best of one’s ability.
The kingdom to be proclaimed—God within you—is the highest responsibility for those who have experienced its soul-saving liberation.
“The new kingdom which my Father is about to set up in the hearts of his earth children is to be an everlasting dominion. There shall be no end of this rule of my Father in the hearts of those who desire to do his divine will. I declare to you that my Father is not the God of Jew or gentile. Many shall come from the east and from the west to sit down with us in the Father’s kingdom, while many of the children of Abraham will refuse to enter this new brotherhood of the rule of the Father’s spirit in the hearts of the children of men. [Paper 140:1.2, page 1568:5]
Who are these stubborn children of Abraham? Why to they balk at liberating news of the God within each truth seeking soul? Could it be that the notion of there being no intermediaries between God and the believer, is still a step to far for the tradition bound religious leaders who wish to maintain control within their respective cultures?
“…their system of traditional religion will be overthrown, forever destroyed. Thus will they be deprived of authority over that to which they have devoted their lives since they steadfastly refuse to accept this new and more glorious gospel of the kingdom of God.…” [Paper 162:2.2, page 1790:5]
“The power of this kingdom shall consist, not in the strength of armies nor in the might of riches, but rather in the glory of the divine spirit that shall come to teach the minds and rule the hearts of the reborn citizens of this heavenly kingdom, the sons of God. This is the brotherhood of love wherein righteousness reigns, and whose battle cry shall be: Peace on earth and good will to all men. This kingdom, which you are so soon to go forth proclaiming, is the desire of the good men of all ages, the hope of all the earth, and the fulfillment of the wise promises of all the prophets.” [Paper 140:1.3, page 1568:6]
The spiritual brotherhood is intended to bring about, the desire of the good men of all ages, the hope of all the earth, and the fulfillment of the wise promises of all the prophets.
“But for you, my children, and for all others who would follow you into this kingdom, there is set a severe test. Faith alone will pass you through its portals, but you must bring forth the fruits of my Father’s spirit if you would continue to ascend in the progressive life of the divine fellowship. Verily, verily, I say to you, not every one who says, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but rather he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” [Paper 140:1.4, page 1569:1]
With the gift of revelation come service obligations—a severe test—you must bring forth the fruits of the Father’s spirit. One cannot receive so much without giving something in return. Sharing is Godlike.
“Your message to the world shall be: Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and in finding these, all other things essential to eternal survival shall be secured therewith. And now would I make it plain to you that this kingdom of my Father will not come with an outward show of power or with unseemly demonstration. You are not to go hence in the proclamation of the kingdom, saying, ‘it is here’ or ‘it is there,’ for this kingdom of which you preach is God within you.” [Paper 140:1.5, page 1569:2]
Simply stated, we are to share this message with all we meet in the most creative and appropriate way, the Divine Spirit residing within each peron can, in full knowledge, that the listeners spirit is likewise, striving to maximise reception in the mind and soul of the receiver that happiness comes to those who……Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and in finding these, all other things essential to eternal survival shall be secured therewith.
Passing the severe test of spiritual brotherhood and yielding much fruit of the spirit requires exercise of attributes already in place in some measure already—to be augmented by their application. Application of courage, honesty and sincerity.
Successful living is nothing more or less than the art of the mastery of dependable techniques for solving common problems. The first step in the solution of any problem is to locate the difficulty, to isolate the problem, and frankly to recognize its nature and gravity. The great mistake is that, when life problems excite our profound fears, we refuse to recognize them. Likewise, when the acknowledgment of our difficulties entails the reduction of our long-cherished conceit, the admission of envy, or the abandonment of deep-seated prejudices, the average person prefers to cling to the old illusions of safety and to the long-cherished false feelings of security. Only a brave person is willing honestly to admit, and fearlessly to face, what a sincere and logical mind discovers. [Paper 160:1.7, page 1773:4]
Old and self-inhibiting habits must be substituted for self-empowering actions which liberate the soul for dynamic service.
Fear not the wise counsel that points out wherein you refuse to walk in the way of light—the correction of which—leads to the entrance to the kingdom of heaven.
Those who would do great works and qualify for seraphic assistance must ever act upon their highest light.
…Neither do the celestial beings assist the lower being who refuses to act upon his light of truth. [Paper 48:7.9, page 556:9]
The Spirit of Truth has a drawing power which gathers believers together.
“…Spirit of Truth who will live with each one of you, in your hearts, and so will all the children of light be made one and be drawn toward one another.…” [Paper 180:4.5, page 1949:1]
