An Orthodox Lesson

THURS., MAR. 30, 1984, 6:14 AM
VALYERMO, MACIEL’S KITCHEN

Hear, o son, as I offer you a lesson in an orthodox key. What is orthodox? Well, the word can mean what I would have it mean, for there are several shadings and interpretations, all appropriate. Today I use it in reference to a Christian interpretation of life, leaving out certain realities that many who are baptized in the name of Christ Jesus would reject. You are a Christian, and I am the Holy Spirit promised by the Master. An orthodox lesson, then.

The essence of life is spirit, and spirit transcends the physical body, the rational mind, and emotional feelings and reactions. There can be life without spirit, temporarily, and modern medical technology makes possible the maintenance of life in the body beyond the time that the spirit dwelleth, but life, characterized by full functioning, cannot be without spirit.

The spirit of each person is that which responds to spirit in others, in the earth, in many intangible forms, and… to me. Outward appearances do not always predict accurately the development of spirit. As Jesus, I called disciples, and each whom I called came, though not a one was clearly identified, in the community, as a holy, religious man. (You once mused, in considering the doctrine of free will, whether I had to call more than twelve in order to get that number… whether any refused. None did. I shall talk about this later.) Each disciple came because his spirit was well developed, so that each spirit recognized the Powerful Spirit that was Mine and desired to be in close, loving relationship with that spirit. And to this day, relationships are maintained, renewed, and begun afresh because spirits unite in love, a love that is vastly beyond family ties or cultural likenesses.

There are many ways to live in this earth, but two basis directions… with focus on self and/or with focus on Me and on others. I came, as Jesus, to be the Way, and thus show the way by My very being. Finally, I had a choice about further earth life: I could continue it, in love and in service to others and to My Father, or I could give it up, in love, in order that the Spirit might be manifest and that salvation from sin would be possible, from thenceforth. Each choice could have been a selfish one, and either could have been a selfless one. I elected to give My life, as a means of grace and as a selfless act that should benefit the lives of all, ultimately.

It is orthodox to know that you have free will, but this must be balanced with the knowledge that, “So do I”. Your will can call you toward selfishness or toward selflessness. But your spirit responds to Mine, and Mine calls you to Me and My Ways, and your will is influenced. Hence, it is orthodox to say, “Have Your own way, Lord.” Could your spirit, and the spirits of many others who are in Christ, respond otherwise? The answer is in mystery, rather than in fact.

Yes, it is orthodox to accept mystery as a part of the reality of earth life. My ways are never completely discernible nor completely understandable. This does not counsel you to give up trying to discern and understand, but does say that mystery shall remain. Good and true worship is always part mystery.