“When God approves of your life, even your enemies will end up shaking your hand.”
~ Proverbs 16:7, MSG
It seems like backward reasoning, but it often happens. Those who you believe oppose you, may actually respect you because of the fair way you treat them, even in the heat of competition.
Virtue commands respect.
the whole entry does not always come up
Hope this isn’t too controversial. When I see questions like the one presented today my first response is “How would I know ? I have no way to measure or evaluate that.” Or sometimes I just say ,” No of course not!” The point is this type of question leaves one, if honest, less than the ideal follower of Christ which leads to feelings of failure and self-deprecation. The “Am I good enough … Are you good enough, trying adequately, or do you meet the standard…” The answer for me is the question is unanswerable. I really don’t know, who is it that is asking?Sometimes we are so focused on our own efforts and resources that we entirely miss Him. He is the Source of my life and what is possible for me and it will NEVER ! Look like someone else’s journey. I can’t use other people as my measuring stick. Am I a Mary Baker Eddy ? “No.” Am I a Ghandi ? “No.” Am I a Jesus ? “No.” Am I living as God-like as possible ? I really don’t know, ask God. MuchnLove to you.
Interesting comment Charla. Question, why do you hope it is not too controversial? In any science, it must be replicable experience to gain validity. A truth. In the science of the divine Mind the experience of healing is replicable to all who believe. Jesus commented many times on this fact. He also emphasized it stating in effect, if you only had the faith the size of a mustard seed and you could say to this mountain go hence and it would move. As I would not be required to be either Jesus or Mary Baker Eddy to have faith the size of a mustard seed, I could find healing. I have been and I expect that God works the same for any of those who expect healing however small their faith, but they must have faith. They must believe and be willing to accept this experience into their lives. In essence, you don’t have to be anyone else for that would not be the appropriate experience for you. God is certainly capable to bring to you a feeling of wholeness, an experience of love, fairness, compassion in which you can share with anyone who may not quite understand its significance and value in sharing.
I think the Answer is Always “YES!” for Everyone……because everyone is always doing the Best they know how in each moment. If they knew how to Be Better they would be doing that. So, yes, until, unless, people gain more spiritual understanding….they are always doing the very Best they know how. Then, when they learn more…..they are doing better according to their new understanding. No condemnation here….just a gentle growth down our path! Love to All!
To figure the answer to this out, one might look at the life, work, words of Jesus to see if one’s life is at all coming close to his. I have a lot of work to do! But thanks, Evan for the BIG question: it is surely making me think/pray this morning!
Josef, I always benefit from your insightful comments. With appreciation.
Evan, your question today reminds me of what Mrs. Eddy says in S&H: 496:9-12. “Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good? Am I demonstrating the healing power of Truth and Love?” If we are striving to “Stand porter at the door of thought,” and to love as God loves, we are doing our best. Yes, we may slip, but if we recognize it and endeavor to change our ways (our thinking) we are advancing spiritually. I think our efforts are blessed by our loving Father-Mother God. I love what MBE writes in “Christmas Morn” about our dear Christ: “Thou gentle beam of living Love.” To follow Christ Jesus and strive to reflect God as “a gentle beam of living Love” is a great goal. In reality that’s what each of us already is. We need to accept that about ourselves and demonstrate it in our lives.
As possible? Not until a more perfect thought is accepted and then demonstrated. This is true to the more infinite point of eternity. Might this be the answer for each reflective idea, the true spiritual man, made in “our image, after our likeness,” Life, Truth, Love, Mind, Principle, Spirit, Soul?
Yes
Love this question. Thank you, Evan. My answer today is no, but I’m striving to get to that “perfect day.” Posts like this are just what I need to stay focused in my thought.
Thank you Evan for this question which gives us to think about us, who we really are and what our real duty is, namely to reflect in every instance of our live Gods qualities. Thats our only duty. And if we reflect God, we can only be fair to our socalled enemies – in reality we have no enemies.
Thank you very much Daphne for your inspired and true and very comforting thoughts in respect of today`s theme! For me they are very helpful indeed.
Evan, to answer your question, I am doing my best today. Bevi , Daphne and Josef thank you so much for your comments.
I’m taking it as a rhetorical question that reminds us to be aware of situations/circumstances in our lives where we can demonstrate more of God’s spiritual reality. Great post with great comments. Thanks to all.