“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12: 32)
“Do not judge and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7: 1)
“But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, He who is in heaven. Nor should you be called leader, because Christ is the only leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 8- 11)
“Then, if anyone says to you: ‘Look! The Messiah is here! He is there!, do not believe it. For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders so great that they would deceive even God’s chosen people, if that were possible. See, I have told you everything ahead of time. (Matthew 24: 23- 25)
Now, after some degree of rumination on the words written, I now thought it interesting to go just a little bit further on understanding what the Kingdom means to me.
On initial reflection, it would seem to me almost impossible, to understand what indeed, is the Kingdom really about. I mean, after all, I am speaking about a Kingdom that is not quite visible… at least not yet.
It seems then, that much faith is needed to even begin to unravel what this Kingdom can possibly mean! Is it a piece of land? Is it a place called paradise? What exactly is the Kingdom? I pause for a very long while as I think to myself…
I do not know about you, but for me, if I were to spend time reading through the many verses that go on to describe the Kingdom, many interpretations can be reached. There can be many leads. So, what do I do? Where do I go, if I wanted to solidify my understanding of God’s Kingdom?
I begin my ramblings…
I would like to start off by first saying that God’s Kingdom is enveloped inside of faith. Without faith, it would be almost impossible to receive a glimpse or attain sight of the Kingdom.
By faith’s definition, one is therefore required to pull from his imaginative sight, somehow, to stretch the mind to begin to see the peripheral borders of such Kingdom. I go further.
I would also imagine, that it may take sizeable amounts of faith to even begin unravelling the mysteries of God’s Kingdom. But I am only a novice, a student at best. What can I possibly know? Yet, still, I am curious to know about my Father’s Kingdom.
Before I go anywhere, I would like to stress on a key word: RECEIVE
I go on to repeat myself.
Without faith, it would be almost impossible to receive a glimpse or attain sight of the Kingdom.
One key detail that I identify within my thoughts is the character of receiving.
One must be open to receiving what the Father has to give. This is essential!
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12: 32)
So, I identify within myself, that I must be in a position to receive what the Father wills to give.
A position to receive. A position to receive. I go silent. Now, I think to myself.
That must mean, I must be in that place or posture of humility. When one is most humbled, he is more than likely to be in that receiving state.
Humility draws the Father. It is a requirement or pre-requisite to ever gain sight of the Kingdom.
Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 11)
Now, I know, for sure that a humble posture is required. Meekness is required. But still, what is the Kingdom? I go silent once again.
“But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, He who is in heaven. Nor should you be called leader, because Christ is the only leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 8- 11)
“Do not judge and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7: 1)
I now reflect on the above verses. I go on to think…
If no one is to be called Master or Leader, for there is only one, what does that actually mean? For there to be a Master or Leader, there must be an accompanying follower. For there to be a Teacher, there must a student.
It must mean then, to not be called Master, I must also not have any followers.
Likewise, I must be no judge.
I am not master nor leader, neither am I judge of another.
This is a very crucial thought! A very difficult thought to unravel with very human eyes. I go meditate for a bit. I need to be silent.
This is a puzzle that I want to work out. I go work it out.
Okay, so far, what I understand is that what is required for one, has nothing to do with their evidential influence in their immediate environment. He is neither master, leader, nor judge. He does not partake in the changing winds or moving elements that make up his external world. Hmm…
A thought now springs to mind.
Humility is required, in conjunction with not having a leading or judging role.
This probably goes hand in hand I guess. I go silent once again.
Humility_non-leading_non-judging… what can that mean?
I have a question. I want to go back to Genesis…
What was the first thing commanded of man, when he was created. I go back and read. What did God say, after He created the earth?
I read from the book of Genesis Chapter one:
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Okay. So, from the beginning, God ordered that man fill the earth and subdue it.
Isn’t this command contradictory to [humility_non-leading_non-judging] state?
These sound like two contradicting orders! How can this be.
I go silent.
I spot a word. It must hold great meaning.
I highlight the word subdue. I think it a very important word. I spot the connection through this very word. I sit with myself and think.
Subdue gives meaning to an action. Subdue does something. Subdue helps to define two states and the word itself transcends the conversion from one state to the other.
In order to subdue, one must first be pressed or subdued at the ‘beginning’ end of the word. The ‘tail’ end of the word subdue, addresses a state of conquering or victory.
I write the following.
Suppressed_subdue_victory
Humbled_subdue_victory
Before one becomes leader, one must first be servant.
Before one holds his conquering end, he must first receive his humbling portion.
Humility has everything to do with leadership. Why do you say, Marisa?
Under very humbling conditions, one must first master or lead himself. This explains the non-judging element.
Man does not go on to describe or judge his external world. Though, through his changing external world, man is forced to look at himself and be changed and receive change. This is man’s incremental growth. Man grows not with his environment. More so, through the external changes, man learns and grows towards his ever changing internal, invisible or eternal self.
The Kingdom is not a thing or a place, per se. Man receives from the Kingdom when he finally begins to take notice of the small or very minute changes that occur within himself with each new pressure being added on to him. The Kingdom is witnessed through man’s ever- changing character and core nature. As each day passes, man slowly evolves and morphs to finally meet with his eternal self; his true state. This new creation has been ordered by the Father Himself when He decided to make man in His image and to His likeness (Genesis 1: 26). No one can see the Kingdom… at least not yet. But it can certainly be experienced.
And so, by degrees You correct those who sin, You admonish them, reminding them how they have strayed so that turning away from evil they may trust in You, Lord. (Wisdom 12: 2)
Now, how does one tell the difference between the powers exerted through God’s Kingdom from powers created through illusion?
I must re-iterate here.
1. The Kingdom is received in much faith.
2. It must mean that it is based more on what one does not see.
3. It must be personally experienced.
It is not a staged performance or series of tricks performed by much of the world’s greatest magicians.
The Kingdom relies on the evidence that one is first humbled and from this place of humility, it is the Father’s greatest pleasure to exonerate that one in all His glory. Man witnesses God’s glory in the greatest way. The bigger the tribulation, the greater God’s glory gets revealed. This is the Kingdom.
The Kingdom is witnessing God’s glory to the highest exponential. The Kingdom is the revelation of God Himself… though He is invisible to man.
Man is God’s humble portion and vessel for God’s glory to be revealed. God’s glory is shown in man and wherever this man goes, the Kingdom follows.
But for this man to be humble, he must go through a lot of tests. It is the long battery of tests and trials that keep this man humbled and much subdued. It is this 'subdued' state that reflexively triggers the power and glory of God.
The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favour with God. For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give Him glory. (Sirach 3: 18, 20)
My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity. (Sirach 2: 1, 2)
God comes to judge, putting one down and lifting up another…He will break the power of the wicked, but the power of the virtuous will be exalted. (Psalm 75: 8,11)
You say: “It is useless to serve God. There is no benefit in observing his commandments or inleading an austere life for his sake. Happy are the shameless! Those were the very words of those who fear Yahweh. Yahweh listened and heard what they said. He ordered at once that the names of those who respect Him and reverence His Name be written in a record. And He declared, “They will be mine on the day I have already set. Then I shall care for them as a father cares for his obedient son… The day already comes, flaming as a furnace… the sun of justice will shine upon you who respect my Name and bring health in its rays. You will come out leaping like fattened calves… (Malachi 3: 14, 16, 17, 19, 20)
It takes a lot to remain in a much subdued state, especially for sustained periods of time. The heart may grow weak. Man may get very discouraged. Yet, man must learn to control his fleshly impulses or urges or even, utterances. Man must remain silent, though subdued.
Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to God are tested in the crucible of humiliation. (Sirach 2: 4,5)
Man must walk a road, most choose not to journey. It is a very difficult and lonesome road. But it is a road that leads to that point of mastery or leader state. It is a road that points to Christ who is Leader and Master. Man must learn to master himself through Christ. This leads him on the path to kingship.
The beginning of Wisdom is a sincere desire for discipline; concern for discipline is love of her, and loving her means keeping her laws; the observance of her laws assure one of immortality, and immortality brings us close to God. In this way the desire for Wisdom leads to kingship. (Wisdom 6: 17 – 20)
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16: 32)
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12: 7)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2: 11, 12)
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9: 25)
The many failures that man endures on this path, allows God’s Spirit to work in him, reinforcing those points of weakness. Man may fall many times, along his set course prepared by the Father, just as Christ fell on His walk in His time of trial. But God’s Spirit endures and helps carry man towards his eternal calling. God’s Spirit (and Wisdom) leads man to his eternal self.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4: 18)
So, what I have spotted here, is that the Father already made his vision known to man about man’s rulership. This is the Father’s target: that is, to get man in his state of rulership.
Now I go on to bring out the concept of the Kingdom.
Man receives, IN FULL, the Kingdom when he finally learns to utilize and capitalize on the many powers hidden inside of him to take him from that humble state to his royal seat. It is this realization that carries man through his freedom. Man must realize his freedom. This is the Kingdom. Man must realize his eternal self.
She protected him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him; with Wisdom he triumphed in an arduous struggle, learning in this way that nothing is as strong as piety.
(Wisdom 10: 12)
Thanks to her, I shall win immortality, and to those who come after me I shall leave an everlasting memory. (Wisdom 8: 13)
Pondering over all this, I understood that I would achieve immortality by being united to Wisdom; I would have pure delight through friendship with her, inexhaustible riches in what she does, understanding from being in her company and renown from sharing her conversation. (Wisdom 8: 17)
Now, when man spends time with his Father, it is his Father that gives man access to this freedom (kingdom) when the Father furnishes his mind with new knowledge. The Father is willing to give man understanding. This greatly pleases the Father. The more time man spends with his Father, the more freedom can be realized in this man. In this case, there is no leader or master outside of this man. It is found within. Everything is happening in the mind. Man’s mind becomes transformed. So, now, he can begin to think as his Father thinks and does what He sees his Father do. For the Father is his Teacher and Master and there is only One.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I assure you, the Son cannot do anything by Himself, but only what He sees the Father do. And whatever He does, the Son also does. (John 5: 19)
Whether this man physically lives on or dies, he already became joined unto the Father. It is the Father’s Spirit who greatly upholds him. It is in this, man must rest secure.
To meditate on Wisdom is understanding fully grown; whoever is on the watch for her will be free of anxiety. She goes in search of those who are worthy of her, graciously meets them on the way and is present in their every thought. (Wisdom 6: 15, 16)
The bee is one of the smallest winged insects but she excels in the exquisite sweetness of her honey. (Sirach 11: 3)
Do not reply before you have listened; do not interrupt the one who is speaking. (Sirach 11: 8)
Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember that we are all deserving punishment.
(Sirach 8: 5)
Yes, you punish us, but you punish our enemies far more severely to teach us when we judge others to remember your kindness, and when we are judged to count on your mercy. (Wisdom 12: 22)
But you even showed mercy to these sinners because they were human beings… (Wisdom 12: 8)
But knowing that I could only possess Wisdom if she were given me by God- it was a mark of intelligence to know who was the donor- I turned to the Lord and implored Him, saying with all my heart: (Wisdom 8: 21)
With You is Wisdom that knows your works, that was present when You made the world and is aware of what is pleasing in your eyes and what is right according to your commandments. Send her from the holy heavens, dispatch her from your holy throne to work beside me so that I may know what is pleasing to You. For she knows and understands everything; she will direct my actions with prudence and protect me with her power. (Wisdom 9: 9-11)
“Do not judge and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7: 1)
“But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, He who is in heaven. Nor should you be called leader, because Christ is the only leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 8- 11)
“Then, if anyone says to you: ‘Look! The Messiah is here! He is there!, do not believe it. For false Messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform signs and wonders so great that they would deceive even God’s chosen people, if that were possible. See, I have told you everything ahead of time. (Matthew 24: 23- 25)
Now, after some degree of rumination on the words written, I now thought it interesting to go just a little bit further on understanding what the Kingdom means to me.
On initial reflection, it would seem to me almost impossible, to understand what indeed, is the Kingdom really about. I mean, after all, I am speaking about a Kingdom that is not quite visible… at least not yet.
It seems then, that much faith is needed to even begin to unravel what this Kingdom can possibly mean! Is it a piece of land? Is it a place called paradise? What exactly is the Kingdom? I pause for a very long while as I think to myself…
I do not know about you, but for me, if I were to spend time reading through the many verses that go on to describe the Kingdom, many interpretations can be reached. There can be many leads. So, what do I do? Where do I go, if I wanted to solidify my understanding of God’s Kingdom?
I begin my ramblings…
I would like to start off by first saying that God’s Kingdom is enveloped inside of faith. Without faith, it would be almost impossible to receive a glimpse or attain sight of the Kingdom.
By faith’s definition, one is therefore required to pull from his imaginative sight, somehow, to stretch the mind to begin to see the peripheral borders of such Kingdom. I go further.
I would also imagine, that it may take sizeable amounts of faith to even begin unravelling the mysteries of God’s Kingdom. But I am only a novice, a student at best. What can I possibly know? Yet, still, I am curious to know about my Father’s Kingdom.
Before I go anywhere, I would like to stress on a key word: RECEIVE
I go on to repeat myself.
Without faith, it would be almost impossible to receive a glimpse or attain sight of the Kingdom.
One key detail that I identify within my thoughts is the character of receiving.
One must be open to receiving what the Father has to give. This is essential!
“Do not be afraid, little flock, for it has pleased your Father to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12: 32)
So, I identify within myself, that I must be in a position to receive what the Father wills to give.
A position to receive. A position to receive. I go silent. Now, I think to myself.
That must mean, I must be in that place or posture of humility. When one is most humbled, he is more than likely to be in that receiving state.
Humility draws the Father. It is a requirement or pre-requisite to ever gain sight of the Kingdom.
Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 11)
Now, I know, for sure that a humble posture is required. Meekness is required. But still, what is the Kingdom? I go silent once again.
“But you, do not let yourselves be called Master because you have only one Master, and all of you are brothers and sisters. Neither should you call anyone on earth Father, because you have only one Father, He who is in heaven. Nor should you be called leader, because Christ is the only leader for you. Let the greatest among you be the servant of all.” (Matthew 23: 8- 11)
“Do not judge and you will not be judged.” (Matthew 7: 1)
I now reflect on the above verses. I go on to think…
If no one is to be called Master or Leader, for there is only one, what does that actually mean? For there to be a Master or Leader, there must be an accompanying follower. For there to be a Teacher, there must a student.
It must mean then, to not be called Master, I must also not have any followers.
Likewise, I must be no judge.
I am not master nor leader, neither am I judge of another.
This is a very crucial thought! A very difficult thought to unravel with very human eyes. I go meditate for a bit. I need to be silent.
This is a puzzle that I want to work out. I go work it out.
Okay, so far, what I understand is that what is required for one, has nothing to do with their evidential influence in their immediate environment. He is neither master, leader, nor judge. He does not partake in the changing winds or moving elements that make up his external world. Hmm…
A thought now springs to mind.
Humility is required, in conjunction with not having a leading or judging role.
This probably goes hand in hand I guess. I go silent once again.
Humility_non-leading_non-judging… what can that mean?
I have a question. I want to go back to Genesis…
What was the first thing commanded of man, when he was created. I go back and read. What did God say, after He created the earth?
I read from the book of Genesis Chapter one:
26 Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.”
27 So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”
Okay. So, from the beginning, God ordered that man fill the earth and subdue it.
Isn’t this command contradictory to [humility_non-leading_non-judging] state?
These sound like two contradicting orders! How can this be.
I go silent.
I spot a word. It must hold great meaning.
I highlight the word subdue. I think it a very important word. I spot the connection through this very word. I sit with myself and think.
Subdue gives meaning to an action. Subdue does something. Subdue helps to define two states and the word itself transcends the conversion from one state to the other.
In order to subdue, one must first be pressed or subdued at the ‘beginning’ end of the word. The ‘tail’ end of the word subdue, addresses a state of conquering or victory.
I write the following.
Suppressed_subdue_victory
Humbled_subdue_victory
Before one becomes leader, one must first be servant.
Before one holds his conquering end, he must first receive his humbling portion.
Humility has everything to do with leadership. Why do you say, Marisa?
Under very humbling conditions, one must first master or lead himself. This explains the non-judging element.
Man does not go on to describe or judge his external world. Though, through his changing external world, man is forced to look at himself and be changed and receive change. This is man’s incremental growth. Man grows not with his environment. More so, through the external changes, man learns and grows towards his ever changing internal, invisible or eternal self.
The Kingdom is not a thing or a place, per se. Man receives from the Kingdom when he finally begins to take notice of the small or very minute changes that occur within himself with each new pressure being added on to him. The Kingdom is witnessed through man’s ever- changing character and core nature. As each day passes, man slowly evolves and morphs to finally meet with his eternal self; his true state. This new creation has been ordered by the Father Himself when He decided to make man in His image and to His likeness (Genesis 1: 26). No one can see the Kingdom… at least not yet. But it can certainly be experienced.
And so, by degrees You correct those who sin, You admonish them, reminding them how they have strayed so that turning away from evil they may trust in You, Lord. (Wisdom 12: 2)
Now, how does one tell the difference between the powers exerted through God’s Kingdom from powers created through illusion?
I must re-iterate here.
1. The Kingdom is received in much faith.
2. It must mean that it is based more on what one does not see.
3. It must be personally experienced.
It is not a staged performance or series of tricks performed by much of the world’s greatest magicians.
The Kingdom relies on the evidence that one is first humbled and from this place of humility, it is the Father’s greatest pleasure to exonerate that one in all His glory. Man witnesses God’s glory in the greatest way. The bigger the tribulation, the greater God’s glory gets revealed. This is the Kingdom.
The Kingdom is witnessing God’s glory to the highest exponential. The Kingdom is the revelation of God Himself… though He is invisible to man.
Man is God’s humble portion and vessel for God’s glory to be revealed. God’s glory is shown in man and wherever this man goes, the Kingdom follows.
But for this man to be humble, he must go through a lot of tests. It is the long battery of tests and trials that keep this man humbled and much subdued. It is this 'subdued' state that reflexively triggers the power and glory of God.
The greater you are, the more you should humble yourself and thus you will find favour with God. For great is the power of the Lord and it is the humble who give Him glory. (Sirach 3: 18, 20)
My son, if you have decided to serve the Lord, prepare yourself for trials. Keep your heart upright and remain resolute; do not be upset in the time of adversity. (Sirach 2: 1, 2)
God comes to judge, putting one down and lifting up another…He will break the power of the wicked, but the power of the virtuous will be exalted. (Psalm 75: 8,11)
You say: “It is useless to serve God. There is no benefit in observing his commandments or inleading an austere life for his sake. Happy are the shameless! Those were the very words of those who fear Yahweh. Yahweh listened and heard what they said. He ordered at once that the names of those who respect Him and reverence His Name be written in a record. And He declared, “They will be mine on the day I have already set. Then I shall care for them as a father cares for his obedient son… The day already comes, flaming as a furnace… the sun of justice will shine upon you who respect my Name and bring health in its rays. You will come out leaping like fattened calves… (Malachi 3: 14, 16, 17, 19, 20)
It takes a lot to remain in a much subdued state, especially for sustained periods of time. The heart may grow weak. Man may get very discouraged. Yet, man must learn to control his fleshly impulses or urges or even, utterances. Man must remain silent, though subdued.
Accept all that happens to you, be patient when you are humbled, for as gold is tested in the fire, so those acceptable to God are tested in the crucible of humiliation. (Sirach 2: 4,5)
Man must walk a road, most choose not to journey. It is a very difficult and lonesome road. But it is a road that leads to that point of mastery or leader state. It is a road that points to Christ who is Leader and Master. Man must learn to master himself through Christ. This leads him on the path to kingship.
The beginning of Wisdom is a sincere desire for discipline; concern for discipline is love of her, and loving her means keeping her laws; the observance of her laws assure one of immortality, and immortality brings us close to God. In this way the desire for Wisdom leads to kingship. (Wisdom 6: 17 – 20)
Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. (Proverbs 16: 32)
Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? (Hebrews 12: 7)
For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, (Titus 2: 11, 12)
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. (1 Corinthians 9: 25)
The many failures that man endures on this path, allows God’s Spirit to work in him, reinforcing those points of weakness. Man may fall many times, along his set course prepared by the Father, just as Christ fell on His walk in His time of trial. But God’s Spirit endures and helps carry man towards his eternal calling. God’s Spirit (and Wisdom) leads man to his eternal self.
But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (Proverbs 4: 18)
So, what I have spotted here, is that the Father already made his vision known to man about man’s rulership. This is the Father’s target: that is, to get man in his state of rulership.
Now I go on to bring out the concept of the Kingdom.
Man receives, IN FULL, the Kingdom when he finally learns to utilize and capitalize on the many powers hidden inside of him to take him from that humble state to his royal seat. It is this realization that carries man through his freedom. Man must realize his freedom. This is the Kingdom. Man must realize his eternal self.
She protected him from his enemies and saved him from the traps they set for him; with Wisdom he triumphed in an arduous struggle, learning in this way that nothing is as strong as piety.
(Wisdom 10: 12)
Thanks to her, I shall win immortality, and to those who come after me I shall leave an everlasting memory. (Wisdom 8: 13)
Pondering over all this, I understood that I would achieve immortality by being united to Wisdom; I would have pure delight through friendship with her, inexhaustible riches in what she does, understanding from being in her company and renown from sharing her conversation. (Wisdom 8: 17)
Now, when man spends time with his Father, it is his Father that gives man access to this freedom (kingdom) when the Father furnishes his mind with new knowledge. The Father is willing to give man understanding. This greatly pleases the Father. The more time man spends with his Father, the more freedom can be realized in this man. In this case, there is no leader or master outside of this man. It is found within. Everything is happening in the mind. Man’s mind becomes transformed. So, now, he can begin to think as his Father thinks and does what He sees his Father do. For the Father is his Teacher and Master and there is only One.
Jesus said to them, “Truly I assure you, the Son cannot do anything by Himself, but only what He sees the Father do. And whatever He does, the Son also does. (John 5: 19)
Whether this man physically lives on or dies, he already became joined unto the Father. It is the Father’s Spirit who greatly upholds him. It is in this, man must rest secure.
To meditate on Wisdom is understanding fully grown; whoever is on the watch for her will be free of anxiety. She goes in search of those who are worthy of her, graciously meets them on the way and is present in their every thought. (Wisdom 6: 15, 16)
The bee is one of the smallest winged insects but she excels in the exquisite sweetness of her honey. (Sirach 11: 3)
Do not reply before you have listened; do not interrupt the one who is speaking. (Sirach 11: 8)
Do not offend the man who repents of his sins, remember that we are all deserving punishment.
(Sirach 8: 5)
Yes, you punish us, but you punish our enemies far more severely to teach us when we judge others to remember your kindness, and when we are judged to count on your mercy. (Wisdom 12: 22)
But you even showed mercy to these sinners because they were human beings… (Wisdom 12: 8)
But knowing that I could only possess Wisdom if she were given me by God- it was a mark of intelligence to know who was the donor- I turned to the Lord and implored Him, saying with all my heart: (Wisdom 8: 21)
With You is Wisdom that knows your works, that was present when You made the world and is aware of what is pleasing in your eyes and what is right according to your commandments. Send her from the holy heavens, dispatch her from your holy throne to work beside me so that I may know what is pleasing to You. For she knows and understands everything; she will direct my actions with prudence and protect me with her power. (Wisdom 9: 9-11)
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