"From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer
followed him. "You do not want to leave too, do you?" Jesus asked the
Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the
words of eternal life." (John 6:66-68)
The Apostle Paul was given the mystical revelation of a new humanity. This
new humanity would be an improved humanity. It would be a humanity that was
more fully human, and the reason for humanity reaching ever higher human
potential was it becoming aware of being fully divine. This was Jesus’ mission,
and it was Jesus’s message. Jesus indeed revealed many things during his
ministry. An integral part of the message was the message of eternal life.
Perhaps the biggest reason for human selfishness and greed is mortality. In
order for the species to survive in a material world with a multitude of
dangers and the inevitability of impending death, an innate survival instinct
is necessary. It seems obvious that this reality requires a potent antidote. The
most powerful antidote for this would be eternal life. Nothing would create a
sense of peace with the creator more than the knowledge that one is eternal and
loved by the creative source.
I know that I repeat this often, but it is necessary to explain exactly what
it means to be loved. “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it
is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not
easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but
rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes,
always perseveres. Love never fails.” (1Co 13:4-8a) Being eternal means that one, the
soul of the individual, the individual consciousness, will always exist. Always
existing while being eternally loved is the formula for a radical
transformation into a loving being. When John wrote that perfect love cast out
all fear and that one who fears punishment or torment is not made perfect in
love he was speaking of the fear of death and potential final judgment.
Over the millennia the uncertainty of what happens after death has resulted
in speculation of a multitude of theories. Most of these theories invite fear.
Even without deep fear, the uncertainty and anxiety is prevalent. Psychologists
have identified the fear of death as thanatophobia. Yes, it is a real
psychological condition. This establishes the need for the assurance of eternal
life. So it is little wonder that over forty-four verses in the New Testament
that mention Jesus teaching about eternal life. He insists that eternal life is
found in him. What exactly does that mean? It is safe to say that it is wrapped
up in his teaching and mission. This is the importance of the cross event and the
resurrection. It was the resurrection that proved that a loving creative
source, one that Jesus called his Father in Heaven, was able and willing to
resurrect him from the dead and thereby prove that humanity is indeed eternal.
In the above passage from John’s gospel, it is obvious that his twelve
closest companions and disciples believe whole heartedly that he did in fact
have the words that would bring eternal life for each of them. This in my view
is one of the main focal messages of Jesus life and ministry. He taught that we
were participants in the divine nature, and he taught that we were eternal
beings loved by the creative source who was a parent. When considering this it
is important to think in terms of a loving, ideal parent.
This knowledge is important in transforming humanity into a more loving
humanity that is set free from the fear of death. The writer of Hebrews
explained it this way. “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their
humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the
power of death—that is, the devil— and free those who all their lives were held
in slavery by their fear of death.” (Heb 2:14-15) In this case, it is safe
to assume that the devil is the adversarial voice in ones mind that stirs up
fear of death and the afterlife.
With faith in the resurrection one can begin to have peace knowing that
they, their individual souls, points of consciousness, are eternal and have no
reason to fear at all. This knowledge in turn supernaturally produces a greater
ability to love and serve others. It eliminates to a great degree the necessity
of competition with other humans. This raises the vibration of humanity in
general and produces a new humanity that can exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
This new humanity can focus on love, joy, peace, patience, kindness,
gentleness, meekness, and self-control. Unfortunately, with over two millennium
most self-proclaimed Christ followers have not embraced or understood this most
basic concept. It is the key to the new humanity!
No comments:
Post a Comment