The Christ Jesus Followed

 

Matthew 23:9-10 records Jesus saying something very interesting to the crowds who were following him:

“…call no man your father on earth, for you have one Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called instructors, for you have one instructor, the Christ…”

Did you catch that? Jesus himself said the teacher of all people is “the Christ,” meaning the divine Spirit that dwells within us. If we are to live a spiritual life and follow Jesus’ teachings and example, I believe we absolutely must stop looking outside of ourselves. We must become familiar with Christ/Spirit within, and learn to see Christ in others.

These words of Jesus were so striking to me because the Christianity I grew up in magnified the Bible, church buildings and programs, and Jesus the person, but placed little to no emphasis on Christ, which Jesus lived by and said all should live by. In my spiritual journey, it has been enlightening to understand the distinction between Jesus the man, and Christ the Spirit within the man. Jesus understandably gets lots of attention, devotion and worship still today, but funnily enough he actually wanted to avoid these things. If you read the accounts of his life, he often told people who witnessed his miracles to keep quiet about them and often distanced himself from the crowds that followed him. He strongly rejected any attempts to make him a king, told his disciples they were his brothers and equals, and spent much of his time in isolation and obscurity. It seems clear Jesus knew it was the Spirit of God his Father, not he himself, that was important and people needed to follow. It seems Jesus simply wanted to fulfill his Father’s will by becoming an embodiment of the Spirit, thereby showing people what God is really like, and to teach a small group of people to do the same. Jesus knew “the gates of hell” could not overcome the light, truth and glory of the Spirit of God, and so even though he was relatively obscure during his lifetime, he eventually the Kingdom of Heaven he established would become a reality on earth.

Jesus’ desire to avoid personal elevation or worship sheds light on some of his sayings, such as: “he that does the will of my father is my brother and sister…,”1 “he that believes on me, believes not on me but on him that sent me,”2 “the Father is greater than I,”3 and telling his disciples: “YOU are the light of the world.”4  All of these statements take the emphasis off Jesus himself and onto God and the brotherhood of all believers. Shortly before he was crucified, he went so far as to say to his disciples: “it is to your advantage that I go away…”5 which surely shocked them. He said knowing once his physical form was absent, they would have to go inward to connect with the same Spirit that he lived by. To Jesus, it was not about any individual, including himself, but about the Spirit within all of us which we collectively embody.

Another example of this is found in John 20, the story of Mary Magdalene when she went to Jesus’ tomb after his resurrection. When she gets there, she finds the tomb empty, but sees a man standing nearby. When she realizes it is Jesus, she is overcome with emotion. At such an incredible, powerful moment, what do you imagine Jesus said to her? She would surely never forget the words of her Lord as he stands there, having been dead but now alive again. Of all the things he could have said, his first words were: “do not cling to me…” Wow, right? To me, this shows just how critical Jesus knew it was that his followers not become sentimental toward himself as a human man, but to recognize it is Christ, the Spirit both he and they shared, that is the divine and important thing. After Jesus said this, he then told Mary to: “go to my brothers and say to them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.’” Once again, Jesus emphasized that he and those who followed him are brothers, with the same Father and same Spirit. For many of us, realizing this should help facilitate a shift from a backwards-looking rigid religion focused on Jesus who lived in the past and a book which was written in the past, to a living, active, unfolding walk and life in the same Spirit as Jesus had, WHICH WAS JESUS’ DESIRE ALL ALONG.

The apostles and authors of the Bible also recognized it is Christ the Spirit rather than Jesus the man which is the ultimate teacher. For example, the apostle Paul wrote Jesus was “the firstborn among many brothers,“6 and John wrote: “…as he (Jesus) is, so are we in this world.“7 These two great men understood Jesus is a model of what all men and women have the potential to be, because the divine Spirit that was in him is available to everyone. Paul also wrote there is: “One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all,”8 and John wrote: “But the anointing (literally: “Christ”) that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone (any man) should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.“9 As I have written many times, this is what mystics all over the world have been getting at for thousands of years when they speak of everything being One – at a deeper level, beneath the ever-present and familiar human ego with all its (self-centered) thoughts, beliefs, emotions, actions and reactions, there is One Spirit giving life to everyone and everything. In the end, the rest is all shallow, temporary and illusory. From the Spirit is found true Life and the wonderful fruit of it, and all the fruits of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, kindness, patience, gentleness, faithfulness, etc.) are things that benefit ALL, not just our small, individual self.

I hope sooner rather than later more of us will follow Jesus and learn to be taught and led by Christ, rather than the various religious ideas and routines we are familiar with. I hope we will be humble and patient, seek and value peace and understanding above division and judgment, and allow for others to have their own perspectives and learn on their own, as we are all at various levels of maturity, with unique callings and perspectives, and none of us has the entire picture. Above all, as we grow and mature, may all of us demonstrate GENUINE love for each-other as a divine family, and with joy and hope in our hearts may we “do the work” to live in the Kingdom of Heaven now, through Christ within. If we do this, and only if we do this, we will truly honor Jesus. Amen.

 

1. Matthew 12:50
2. John 12:44
3. John 14:28
4. Matthew 5:14
5. John 16:7
6. Romans 8:29
7. 1 John 4:17
8. Ephesians 4:6
9. 1 John 2:27

 

 

 

A Second Set of Twins

Many years ago while visiting New York City, I attended the Brooklyn Tabernacle church one Sunday morning. The pastor, Jim Cymbala, preached a message which has stuck with me to this day. Essentially, the message was about the importance of the “twin” virtues patience and kindness – referred to as twins because they frequently show up together in the Bible, in places such as:

• 1 Corinthians 13:4 ESV: “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant…”

• Galatians 5:22 ESV: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…”

• Colossians 3:12 ESV: “Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience…”

• 2 Corinthians 6:4-6 ESV: “…but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance in afflictions…by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love…”

His bigger point was that patience and kindness are evidence of the Spirit as much or more than the performance of miracles or other impressive or large accomplishments. He told a story of an old preacher who was harsh and impatient with people. His followers claimed this was evidence of his holiness, as he was too important and consecrated to be bothered by ordinary people and their trivial matters. But Mr. Cymbala said even if you can raise the dead, if you have no patience or kindness you aren’t walking in the Spirit.

Recently, it struck me that there is a second pair of qualities that go together just as well as patience and kindness do and are just as universal, being beneficial to anyone, anywhere. While patience and kindness could be thought of as evidence of the Spirit, I would say this second set of “twins” are more like attitudes of the heart which make it possible for the Spirit to grow and for one to live a peaceful, spiritual life. This second set of twins are gratitude and acceptance. I see these as the active and passive parts of a single thing, with gratitude as: “the active appreciation for one’s circumstances and experiences,” and acceptance as: “A state of passive non-resistance to one’s circumstances and experiences.” Gratitude cultivates joy, while acceptance cultivates peace. The apostle Paul said peace and joy are not only fruits of the Spirit,1 but the literal embodiment of the Kingdom of God, writing: “…the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.”2

Speaking more practically, I think we absolutely must be honest with ourselves if we want to live in the Kingdom of God and experience its peace and joy. If these characteristics of the Kingdom aren’t evident in and through us, we must ask: “why not?” Is God holding the Spirit back from us? I don’t think so. Holding back something good doesn’t seem like extravagant love or grace to me. Does our modern society or a bad home or work environment prevent Spiritual growth? I don’t think this is correct either for many reasons, including the fact there has always been wickedness on earth and there are millions of examples to prove one’s outward circumstances do not determine one’s inward state. So if God isn’t holding back and we can’t blame our environment, maybe we need to look closer to home. In one of his parables, Jesus taught that although God’s word (the expression of His nature) is given to all, it requires an honest/beautiful/inspiring/good heart and perseverance to enable it to grow and produce a crop.3 So, if we care about spiritual fruit, wouldn’t it be wise for us to check the “soil” of the attitudes of our heart where the fruit actually grows!? What if, as those made in the image of God, WE have tremendous influence, beyond what we often realize? Could our choice of the attitudes of our heart literally enable the inward Kingdom of peace and joy to flourish OR cause it to remain dormant? If so, that is tremendous power indeed. The Kingdom of God is spiritual and inward, which then influences the outward. So, if we want to see God’s nature of love and peace expressed on earth, as was the aim of Jesus himself, our focus and highest priority should be on ensuring our inward state is the most conducive to peace and joy, and I believe gratitude and acceptance are central to this.

I am not trying to put guilt on anyone here, including myself. There’s really nothing to be guilty for; we are all human and dealing with various traumas and programming, and love can wreck the false identities and habits we have built. It’s also true that our outward environment and circumstances DO affect us, as we have physical bodies in a physical world. Maybe, like me, you are wondering how gratitude and acceptance fit in with terrible things such as a bad toothache, chronic disease, betrayal by a loved one, or abuse? There is no question some circumstances and experiences are much harder to be grateful for and accepting of. Additionally, gratitude and acceptance do NOT mean we cannot work to change our circumstances. By all means: get a tooth pulled, distance yourself from an abusive person, get out of the fire if you can. Yet even in the midst of pain and confusion, we can choose for our heart to remain open to the goodness of the Spirit and we can accept the painful experience as it is, choosing to learn and grow from it rather than resist it and push it away. In doing so, I believe it is possible to experience joy and peace at literally every moment and season of life – even painful ones. Isn’t having an open heart so much better than a resistant and resentful one which feeds bitterness, jealousy, anger and suffering?

I realized that gratitude and acceptance are all about honoring life, creation and existence itself, which the Spirit of God is the foundation of. Therefore, these attitudes cultivate the Spirit’s presence within and allow for you to express it in the world. This then sets the stage for even greater and deeper joy and peace to come – not just for you, but by extension for your whole sphere of influence, which at least in a small way I believe encompasses the entire universe. I challenge us to make cultivating the state of our heart among our highest priorities, working and practicing to keep an open heart of gratitude and acceptance as consistently as we can. As we do, I believe we will see greater fruit than we have ever seen before. Amen!

1. Galatians 5:22
2. Romans 14:17
3. Luke 8:4-15

 

The Undivided Christ

• 1 Corinthians 3:1-5: “Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans? For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not mere human beings? What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants, through whom you came to believe…”

• 1 Corinthians 1:11-13: “…There is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided?”

Let’s consider Paul’s question: “is Christ divided?” To answer it, we have to be sure we understand the word “Christ” in the same way he did. Otherwise, we hear something other than what he meant, and we will be led away from his intended meaning. This can lead to all sorts of problems, so especially with spiritual matters, it is important we try to understand what the words mean (though ultimately words, at best, only point to the Spiritual reality for us to experience).

In reading the writings of Paul and the first apostles carefully, it becomes clear they thought of “Jesus” as a human man, and “Christ” as the SPIRIT Jesus was anointed with and lived by. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:5 Paul writes of “the man Christ Jesus,” and Acts 2:22 quotes Peter as referring to Jesus as : “…a man attested to you by God…” The apostles referred to Jesus as “the Christ,” and there are numerous statements in the Bible proving “Christ” refers to the spiritual, such as those speaking of “Christ in you” and “Christ dwelling in your hearts.” This of course only makes sense if Christ is a spirit, not a physical person. Even the question “is Christ divided?” shows Christ refers to something that is non-physical.

In his first letter to the believers in Corinth, Paul referred to them as “worldly” minded and spiritual “infants” because they were arguing and dividing among each-other based on which teacher they followed. This showed they did not fully realize that Christ is THE single teacher (which Jesus himself said, as I’ll show in a future post). In asking “is Christ divided?” Paul was essentially asking “do you think the Spirit of God is divided and in conflict with itself? If not, why do you claim to follow the Spirit of God while dividing from and arguing with each-other about which teacher you follow?”

I don’t think having beliefs or opinions that differ from others is necessarily a problem, and I don’t think this is what Paul was criticizing the Corinthian believers for. In fact, Paul wrote the following in Romans 14:1-4: “As for the one who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not to quarrel over opinions.  One person believes he may eat anything, while the weak person eats only vegetables.  Let not the one who eats despise the one who abstains, and let not the one who abstains pass judgment on the one who eats, for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for the Lord is able to make him stand.” This passage implies people are at different levels of maturity and have their own walk with God, and we should not judge them for being different in what they do or don’t do, especially if they are bearing the fruit of the Spirit. The real problem Paul is getting at seems to be identification with one particular teacher or set of ideas, causing arguments and division. Genuine spiritual teachers do not want anyone to identify with them, as they are no better than anyone else. Teachers are simply “servants” that help remove blindspots and roadblocks in people so they can better inwardly connect with Christ, the One teacher. As 1 John 2:27 says: “But the anointing (the Spirit) that you received from him (God) abides in you (is within you), and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing (Spirit) teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.” Little children are a good example of those who do not have this problem of identification. In their innocence, they do not argue about theology or divide with others based on their quirks and preferences. When a child meets a child, they do not see a set of beliefs or even an “other” at all, in the sense of a different “kind.” They simply see another person, like themselves.

Dividing and arguing over beliefs and teachers is said to be “worldly” precisely because it does not recognize the realm of the Spirit, where there is unity. It is also said to be “immature” because it shows a lack of understanding of at least two critical things: what Christ is (the Spirit of God), and where Christ is (within each heart, as our very life). If we find ourselves being argumentative, and especially being divisive and judgmental, it is sure we need to more fully realize and embrace the beautiful, astounding, radical truth that Christ, the Spirit of God, where our true life exists at this and every moment, is NOT divided, but in fact is “all and in all.”1

1. Colossians 3:10-11: “…the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator (Spirit/love).  Here (in the Spirit) there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.“

 

Alternate Dimensions

For the past couple of years, I have been interested in the practice of “mindfulness,” the basic idea of which is keeping one’s attention in the present moment, rather than on the past or future (which are, in a way, just figments of our imagination).  I have begun to see how “staying present” can reduce unnecessary suffering, and how it lines up closely with the teachings of Jesus, as well as those of many other mystics.  For example, in the middle of the “Sermon on the Mount,” which is considered by many to be Jesus’ most universal and important teaching, he specifically warns his hearers not to be anxious about the future, and reminds them their Father knows their needs.  Then he says:  “Therefore don’t be anxious for (Greek: “into”) tomorrow, for (Greek: “because”) tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.” This statement is essentially a call to mindfulness.  I find it very interesting that of the thousands of issues he could have addressed, one of the few Jesus actually spoke about here was the importance of keeping our attention out of the future and on the present!

As I studied this passage a bit, I learned the Greek word translated “anxious” comes from the root word merizo, which means: “to divide, to cut into pieces.”  So, the anxiety/worry Jesus said to not allow is that which divides one’s mind/awareness between the present moment and imagined future moments, which in fact don’t even exist!  This means it is not just worry about the future that is spiritually detrimental – the problem is the very act of removing our awareness out of the present moment, whether that causes worry, excitement, or anything else.  It strikes me that when we put our attention out of the present moment, it is almost like we are living in an alternate dimension from the one here and now.  I wonder how often we have unknowingly missed out on peace and joy, or neglected the needs right in front of us because of this habit.  

Jesus ends his statements on this topic by stating:  “…tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Each day’s own evil is sufficient.”   The statement “tomorrow will be anxious for itself” doesn’t make a lot of sense at face value, but I have found that this often means there is a valuable nugget of wisdom to be found if I am willing to do a little digging.   In saying this, I believe Jesus was pointing out the illusive nature of “tomorrow” or “the future,” because each and every time tomorrow comes, it comes in the form of the present moment!   The lesson here seems to be if each moment and each day we do what is right, address the needs we encounter and right the wrongs we see, then “tomorrow” will not be a problem.  Do this, and worrying is needless and useless.  There is plenty to deal with on a moment to moment and day to day basis, and really that is all we can do.  We can never relive the past or act in the future – both only exist in our minds.  Only the present can be experienced, and therefore only in the present are the peace and joy of the Spirit truly found.  I for one want to live less in a dimension of an imagined future, and more in the dimension of the present, where needs can be met, rich experiences can be had, and where the Spirit of God is known within.  

 

Beneath the Surface – Thoughts on Belief Pt. 2

 

The following thought has been stirring within me for a while: “If deeply-held beliefs can be changed or abandoned, then the separation I feel from someone because they believe differently is not as real as it seems.”  This has logically led me to the following conclusion, which i want to examine more in this post:  “the part of me which perceives myself as separate from others based on our difference in belief, is a shallow and impermanent part of my being.” 

 

Thinking about things like this leads to an examination of the nature of the “self,” which can be a tricky subject.  In approaching difficult subjects like this, I have found it helpful to first identify whatever is clear and plain, and go from there.  With regards to the “self,” one undeniable thing is that there is a part of people which is deeper than their beliefs – otherwise, we would cease to exist when our beliefs change, but this is not the case.  There is a part of who we are which remains the same for all people at all times, no matter what.  This fundamental, unchanging aspect of our being has been given many names, including “consciousness,” awareness,” “Spirit,” “the true self,” “Christ,” “Brahman,” or even “God.”  I refer to this unchanging part as “fundamental,” because unlike belief, it is the ground of existence itself.

 

Speaking from my personal experience: there has always been something known as “I” who alone has experienced everything that has happened in my life, from my birth to the present moment.  Great changes have taken place during that time, but the same “I” has experienced it all.  By contrast, the set of beliefs, emotions, habits, and personality known as “Ryan” (my first name) (not to mention the body it inhabits) has changed significantly over the years.  In fact, “Ryan” changes every day, but the “I” who experiences all of Ryan’s forms has never changed at all.  As I think about it, this unchanging “I” has never lost peace or been threatened, even in my worst moments.  It’s an interesting thing to realize.

 

Now, if this holds true for all people, and all of us are made up of a changeable personality housed within an unchangeable awareness, then perhaps at a deeper level we are far more similar than most of us realize.  The world has seen lots of suffering, division, oppression, fear and anger.  Could the primary cause of all such negative things in the world be that most people have primarily identified themselves as their personality and beliefs, rather than as aspects or expressions of the deep essence of Life we all share?   Is it not true that the more intensely we perceive ourselves as individuals, the less truly safe we feel in the universe and the narrower the sphere of things we value becomes, until we value and protect only the things which serve our own selves or tribes – even if that means “others” are harmed or diminished as a result?  I believe the biggest tragedy of mankind is that, taken as a whole, we have failed to truly recognize or appreciate the deep and frankly astonishing unity of all people as One Spirit, instead being captivated by our many surface-level differences.  To me, a hallmark of true mystics – those who have connected with God and speak from a perspective of Spirit – is they point out our blindness in this area and try to help us recognize and live according to the true unity of mankind.  Those who have connected with their own soul and are fed by religious traditions of men, on the other hand, tend to INCREASE the sense of division and separation among people.  

 

I am not saying anything unique here.  Many mystics and spiritual seekers for thousands of years have emphasized the deep-seated unity of all people and declared that this unity is deeper than our differences.  While the religion of Christianity has greatly influenced our world toward a fundamentally “dualistic” mindset of good-and-bad, us-and-them, the Bible in several places quite clearly teaches the “oneness” and “unity” of mankind at a deep level.  For example, the apostle Paul, undoubtedly the most influential figure in Christianity, connected with the Spirit of God and wrote this nearly 2,000 years ago:

 

• 2 Corinthians 5:14-17:  “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.”

Allow me to highlight Paul’s statement that because “all have died,” we should “regard no one according to the flesh.”  In my opinion, this is among the most potent statements in the Bible.  If we are to regard “no one” according to the flesh, then just how are to we to regard everyone???  Paul’s answer is: as part of “a new creation” in Christ.  In the Greek language, “Christ” literally translates “anointed,” as in “endowed with the Spirit of God.”  In his letters, Paul often used the phrase “in Christ,” by which he meant “that which is true within the Spirit of God.”  For example, in Galatians 3:28 Paul wrote that in Christ there is no slave or free person (social status), no Jew or Gentile (racial/cultural identification), and even no male or female (physical identification), but instead Paul said “you are all one.”  This obviously isn’t true of our individual identities or physical bodies, but it IS true in the Spirit of Christ ALL PEOPLE share, which is our true identity.  Although most of us reading this this would probably say we are in Christ, few of us truly appreciate the full extent of what that means.  Do we relate to others and view others according to their religion, social status, economic class, gender, race, career, physical appearance, etc?  If so, we are regarding according to the flesh, not according to Christ.  While it is ok, even good at times, to acknowledge our differences and individual traits, Paul was saying the death of Jesus Christ was to lead us to no longer primarily identify either ourselves or others by anything other than the new creation, the one Spirit in Christ.  The Bible says in many places that the “flesh” – the physical body and human mind – is dead, shallow, temporary, and spiritually blind, and therefore of little real value – even if it is doing “good” things.

 

I believe the “Kingdom of God,” which was the central theme of both Jesus and Paul’s teachings, is an inward state (Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you, remember?) where the unity of men is recognized and all people see beyond flesh to Spirit, which thereby naturally leads to loving our neighbor as ourselves, which Jesus said fulfilled the entire law.  This comes naturally to one who is walking in the Spirit, because at the deepest level OUR NEIGHBOR IS OURSELF, and we are all divine offspring of God!  This is the deeper message of both Paul and Jesus, and can be found in the New Testament over and over, stated in various ways.  If you truly value the truth more than validation or comfort, I encourage you to do some fearless, humble seeking for yourself, and I believe you will find it.  

 

It’s worth noting that many other mystics from various traditions and locations have taught the same essential thing.  So if you are among those questioning and seeking, you are in good company.  Some examples include quotes like these:

 

• • “Our self – luminous, open, empty Awareness – cannot be enlightened. It is already the light that illuminates all experience. Nor can a separate self be enlightened, for when the separate self faces the light of Awareness, it vanishes, just as a shadow does when exposed to the sun.”  -Rupert Spira
  • “But do not be called teacher; for there is only one teacher, the Christ, and you are all brothers.  And do not call anyone your father on the earth; for you have one Father, who is in heaven.  Neither be called masters, for you have one master, the Christ.”  -Jesus Christ (Matthew 23:8-10)
  • “Space seems broken and diverse because of the many forms in it. Remove the forms and pure space remains. So, too with the Omnipresent Self.”  -Adi Shankara
  • “All the mind-streams eventually flow into the one ocean beingness.  There are many pathways for the mind, there are no paths for the heart, for the heart is infinite and fills everything.”  -Mooji
  • “For from him and through him and to him are all things…”  -Paul of Tarsus (Romans 11:36)

I know this was long, but hopefully it has been food for thought for someone and has brought some comfort and spark to your soul.  Thanks for reading.

 

Thoughts on “Belief”

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about “belief,” by which I mean “the ideas and notions one claims to be true.”  Interestingly, I have found myself simultaneously coming to two very different conclusions about the importance and meaning of beliefs, especially regarding deeper issues such as the meaning of life, spirituality, right and wrong, societal structures, etc.  On one hand, it is perfectly clear that what someone believes is incredibly important and influential on how they feel, how they live, and how they relate to others.  For example, some beliefs could easily contribute to feelings of self-loathing, depression, and discouragement.  Beliefs can cause one to isolate from others, have contempt for those who are different, and even to harm or kill other people, spreading pain and sowing anger on a large scale.  In the same way, certain beliefs could promote such things as feelings of hope and inspiration, humble and joyful servanthood toward others, and a desire and attempt to make one’s sphere of influence more peaceful, hopeful, and full of love.  If the content of one’s beliefs can promote such different paths, their importance cannot be denied.

Yet at the same time, I have also been considering that beliefs have no real substance to begin with – they are ultimately just creations of the mind, shaped by environment and experience.  Again, it seems that at their essence, beliefs are merely figments of the mind, no matter how strongly we cling to them.  I find it useful to remember the unquestionable truth that a person is more likely to adhere to certain beliefs about the world if they are raised in and surrounded by an environment which promotes these beliefs strongly, such as a very religious household.  Someone born to Christian parents in rural America is many, many, many times more likely to claim Christian beliefs than is someone born in Saudi Arabia, and someone raised in a Mormon household is many, many, many times more likely to hold to Mormon beliefs than is someone born to atheist parents who follow no religion.  But this raises a very important issue: if your belief system is in large part a result of the family you were born into, are they really YOUR beliefs at all?  And what validity to they have compared to those of someone born into a different belief system?  Not only that, but all of us know that beliefs can and do change, which also shows that beliefs are not something solid or permanent.

In my next post, I hope to explore how these two very different attitudes toward belief can exist together – how we can both seek to believe what is true and beneficial, while at the same time be learning to recognize and properly value that which lies deeper than belief.  Thank you for reading!  Wishing you all the best.

 

The Reason for Love

1 Peter 4:8 ESV: “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Romans 4:7 ESV: “Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered…

In 1 Peter 4:8, Peter encourages his readers to earnestly love one-another “above all,” which clearly establishes the supreme importance of love.  That’s obvious enough, but only recently did I notice there is a REASON given for the claim that earnest love is the most important thing, which is “love covers a multitude of sins.” This “reason” for love is what I want to explore in this post.

Follow a simple logical step with me: if loving one-another is important “above all,” and if loving is so important because love covers sins, then in Peter’s mind it is actually the covering of sin which is the goal, and love is the means by which this is accomplished.  The Greek word for “cover” is kalupto, which means “to cover or hide; to remove from view or knowledge.”  The Greek word translated “sin” is hamartia, which means “to miss the mark” in some way.  So, to cover sin means to “hide or remove” that which is not “on the mark.””

Stick with me till the end here, because what I’m about to say might be difficult to accept but will make more sense if you keep reading.  What is this “mark” that is to be aimed at?  Well, since 1 Peter was primarily written to first-century Jews whose lives and relationship to God centered around obedience to the law of Moses, the “mark” would clealry have been understood as obedience to this law.  Therefore, in this instance, “sin” is defined simply as disobedience to the law.  This definition of sin is also strongly supported by Paul’s letters.  Verses such as Romans 4:15 and 5:13, 1 Corinthians 15:56, and 1 John 3:41 clearly tie “sin” and “law” tightly together, and even state that without law, there is no “sin” to be counted, because a law has to exist in order for it to be broken.  When you realize that “sin” can only exist in the presence of law, and you also realize that, as Colossians 2:14 and other verses state, the law has been done away with (not to mention that you and I, as non-Jews living 2,000 years after Jesus, were never under the law in the first place), you begin to see that in a strict Biblical sense, “sin” is a solved problem, a nullified issue, and something that us today (who do NOT live under the Old Covenant but are partakers in a new, better covenant) don’t need to, and in fact SHOULDN’T think about.  Even IF you and I had been under the law, Jesus served as a final, perfect sacrifice to end the ineffectual animal and ritualistic sacrifices of the law, as he “did away with sin by the sacrifice of himself,” as Hebrews 9:26 says.  Religion’s incessant emphasis on “sin sin sin” creates a damaging self-focus and a warped view of both God and ourselves.  This is honestly terrible, and contradicts the very life and message of Jesus. 

I don’t want to minimize this incredible truth: there is no written code of conduct or law for us to break; therefore “sin” is taken away and there is no curse or wrath upon us.  We are living in the New Creation in Christ!  I realize this is almost impossible to swallow at first for many Christians, as it goes against nearly everything that religion stands for.  Christianity would actually almost cease to exist if the fear of sin and “judgment” were taken away.  Nevertheless, the truth is that because the law passed away in Jesus Christ, and because you and I were never under the law in the first place, there is no sin to be counted against us.  The divine spark within you, referred to in the Bible as “Christ in you,” being your life and true identity, is actually the only thing about you which is true and permanent.  If only we knew this!  Everything formed by ego, fear and self-will and clung to by the darkened mind of man will vaporize in due time.  

Ok, now to bring things back a bit.  All that being the case, it still is true that there are ways of perceiving and ways of behaving which can be either in harmony with or at odds with the Spirit of God within us.  Put another way, we can align ourselves with truth and life, as Jesus did, or we can align ourselves with what is false and dead, as so many do (including those in religions of all sorts).  Therefore, if I had to define the word “sin” for you and I today, I would define it as: “ways of perceiving and acting which are not based in love and are out of harmony with the Spirit of God” (the Spirit which is “over all, through all, and in all” according to Ephesians 4:6).  Conforming to the life/light/spark/Christ within is a much higher way than following rules or religion, as the Spirit of God brings about the transformation of LOVE, compassion, mercy, forgiveness, non-judgment, and humility,2 while simply obeying rules has no power to bring about genuine inward transformation, but rather just creates a sense of being a “servant” rather than a son or daughter, and fosters fear, pride, and division.

In thinking about sin being covered/removed by love, I was reminded of verses in the New Testament which teach that ALL things will ultimately be subject to the Spirit of God, and that ALL people will be made pure and made alive in Christ3 (“Christ” means “anointing of the Spirit”).  What struck me is the idea that everyone and everything will be brought into alighnment with the Spirit of God and of love is essentially just another way of saying that sin will be covered/removed!  The removal of sin and the establishment of unity in the Spirit are two sides of the same coin!  So, here is a something for us to consider: “love covers a multitude of sins” (or “THE multitude of sins, as the KJV says) essentially means that love will overwhelm, dissolve, heal, and ultimately eradicate the ways of perceiving, thinking and behaving that are contrary to the One Spirit of God and thus cause so much fear, oppression, division, and suffering in the world.  I believe love is able to and will do this because it is the nature of God Himself, and for this reason love cannot fail or cease.  Love eradicates evil because it returns evil with good; with peace and healing.  Love is always truth-bearing and kind and patient and merciful and restorative.  Genuine love does not focus on someone’s outward actions and is not concerned with their beliefs, but simply and always relates to and calls out to the Spirit and Life within them, even if they do not yet recognize that Spirit as their Life and have not been aligning with it.

I realize that might sound “out there,” but not only is this what the authors of the New Testament were teaching, but this covering/removing of sin by love is something that EVERYONE reading this has ALREADY experienced!  Have you ever benefited from the comforting, healing, peace-giving, or unifying power of love?  Has an act of kindness ever softened your heart?  Has being forgiven ever made you glad, and made you want to be more forgiving and merciful yourself?  Have you ever been encouraged by someone coming alongside you in a difficult moment?  Have you ever been lifted up by praise or acceptance that you weren’t expecting?  Have you ever been moved by undeserved, unconditional kindness and patience?  When we experience such things, this is “love covering sins” in our own lives and sphere of influence, and ultimately this same principle can grow within and out from us, and expand into the whole universe. 

While love is unquestionably mystical, it is also practical, and shapes how we will view and act toward other people.  Love covers sin by showing no regard for social status, gender, or nationality, by being extremely generous toward all, and by being patient and kind to the very end.  At it’s essence, I believe love involves the recognition that All is One, and that everything contrary to this truth is temporary, illusory, and destined for the inescapable Fire of Truth and Spirit.  Recognizing this, Love then treats a neighbor as itsef, as in the deepest sense they are one and the same!  Love does not deal with people according to individual egos and separate identities and perceptions which people create and cling to on the surface.  I believe that love, being the nature of God, will outlast anything that opposes it.  Ultimately, love will ensure that all which remains is harmony in the Spirit.  

Next time I will post more about how the life and death of Jesus relates to this.  Hope you’ll check back in soon.  

-Ryan

 

 

 

1. Romans 4:15:  “because the law brings about wrath; for where there is no law there is no transgression.”  
   Romans 5:13:  “For until the law sin was in the world, but sin is not imputed when there is no law.”                                        1 John 3:4: “Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”                                                          1 Corinthians 15:56:  “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law.”

2. 1 Timothy 1:5, John 13:34, Galatians 5:6, 1 John 4:7-8

3. 1 Corinthians 15:22, Hebrews 2:8, Romans 5:18-19

 

Perfectly One

There is an idea known as “oneness” which is a central theme within a variety of spiritual teachings and practices.  The basic claim of this idea is that on a deeper, more fundamental level than that of our individual experiences, beliefs, and perceptions, ALL people share in one Life and are parts or aspects of one Thing.  Though my younger self was taught to consider this a dangerous, even demonic deception, my own search has led me to conclude the opposite.  In fact, I have come to see that included among the people who have taught a form of “oneness” are the Apostle Paul, who wrote the majority of the letters in the New Testament, and Jesus Christ himself!

Here are a few statements of Jesus recorded in the Bible which show he thought of mankind as one thing: 

Matthew 23:1,8:  “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples…you are not to be called rabbi, for you have one teacher, and you are all brothers.”  -Notice Jesus was not only speaking to his disciples, but also to “the crowds.”  He told them ALL that they are “brothers” who should not identify with any sort of superiority to one-another.  Brothers/sisters are those who come from the same source and share the same genes.  On a spiritual level, this is true of all of us, as Jesus indicated.  We ALL come from one source and share in one Life. 

Even more strikingly, Jesus indicated that what is done to a person in need is done to him, which means that Jesus understood that he and a hungry, naked beggar are, in a very real sense, ONE!  If Jesus identified himself so closely with even the lowliest people, why do we think we are any different? The Bible says we are “in Christ” and Christ is “in us,” so it follows if Jesus is united with someone, we are too.  Again, Jesus made it clear that this includes even those who are “low” in society, saying:

• Matthew 25:37-40:  “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink?  And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.  -Notice Jesus calls these lowly people his “brothers.”

Jesus is also recorded saying these mystical words shortly before his crucifixion:

John 17:20-23 ESV: “I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one (literal Greek: “perfected into one”), so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”  -Though this passage is not easy to digest, the central theme seems to be Jesus’ desire for those who believe to become “one” in the same sense that he and the Father are one.  So the question is, how are he and the Father one?  In this passage, Jesus described their oneness as: “you in me and I in you.”  So, what Jesus is desiring and praying for here is that ALL mankind would have a recognition of being “in” each-other. You in me, and I in you.  If “you in me and I in you” is true of ALL people, what else can this mean other than all of us (on a deep level that few realize) share in one Life as parts of one Thing!?  That’s exactly what it means.  Your true life is in me, and my true life is in you.  This is the divine life/love/spirit within all, which is deeper and unaffected by the ego, beliefs, and dogmas of mankind.

As I read this passage from John 17, Jesus’ phrase “perfectly one” stood out to me.  Other, more literal translations translate this phrase as “perfected into one” or “made perfect in one.”  It was this thing which seems to have been foremost on Jesus’ heart, so it’s very important we understand what it means, rather than assuming or glossing it over.  First, the word “perfected” in Greek doesn’t simply mean “without flaw” as it’s often thought of in English.  The Greek word here means “fully realized, completed, reached full maturity, finished, accomplished.”  In praying all believers would be “perfectly one,” Jesus is essentially praying that all those who “believe” would reach the full maturity, the completion of the divine will, which is to perceive and live as One thing. Said another way, Jesus’ chief desire before he went to the cross was that all men would recognize and embrace their unity with each-other and with God, instead of perceiving themselves as individuals who are separate from one-another and separate from God.  I believe this “oneness” Jesus prayed for isn’t something we can “decide” to make a reality, but is instead already a reality which we all achieve as we come into alignment with the eternal Spirit of God/Christ/Spirit, which, whether we realize it or not, is over all, in all, and through all, as the Bible says (see Ephesians 4 below).  

Speaking of Ephesians, the apostle Paul also understood and taught that we are all one in Spirit, and he seems to have emphasized this even more clearly than Jesus did.  Here are some examples:

• Acts 17:27-29:  “And (God) made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place,  that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their way toward him and find him. Yet he is actually not far from each one of us,  for “‘In Him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, “‘For we are indeed his offspring. Being then God’s offspring, we ought not to think that the divine being is like gold or silver or stone, an image formed by the art and imagination of man.”  -In this passage, Paul is speaking to a random group of gathered “pagans” in Athens.  He tells all of them that they “live and move and have their being” in God, and are “His offspring.”  According to Paul and the Bible, even “unbelievers” dwell in God and are His offspring! He did NOT tell them they had to believe something or do something in order for this become true; he simply declared this as their present reality in hopes they would recognize and accept it!  I believe this is the essence of true spiritual teaching – not attempting to get people to do or accomplish something, but to reveal what already IS so that their true nature in Spirit might naturally manifest out from them.

• Ephesians 4:4-6:  “There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call— one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.”  -Here Paul says, plainly, that God, the Father of all, is over all, through all, and in all.  ALL!!! Paul used the word “all” many times, including when speaking of the salvation through Christ that has saved all.  Can you accept that?  It’s true that mankind is not yet “perfected into One” as Jesus prayed for.  But that is the aim, that is what is being worked out.  

• Ephesians 1:9-10:  “…making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth.”  -Paul is writing of the same thing which Jesus prayed for in John 17, and says it was accomplished!  Paul writes that the Father’s purpose, which was accomplished, is to unite ALL things in Christ.  Despite what we might see in immediate surroundings and experiences, Jesus’ prayer that we would be “perfected into one” is coming and will come to pass.  Lots will have to “burn up” in the process, for sure, but it’s inevitable.  

• Romans 11:36: “For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.”  -I love this verse, and its implications are staggering.  Read it again.

• 2 Corinthians 5:14-16:  “For the love of Christ controls us, because we have concluded this: that one has died for all, therefore all have died; and he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.  From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh.”  -I have written about these verses at length in previous posts, because it’s so amazing.  Paul says one died for ALL, and therefore ALL have died.  Crazy, right?  On the level of Spirit, where God dwells, ALL died and were raised in Christ.  We are now ALL one body – obviously not “according to the flesh,” but in Spirit!  Why should we focus on the separateness and evilness of our flesh, when it has been crucified and buried?  Rather, let us focus and live from the awareness of Christ in us and Christ in our neighbor. Whether they recognize Christ in them doesn’t matter – true believers are those who recognize (and build up) Christ in EVERYONE.  Once again, remember that Paul told pagans, who probably knew nothing about Jesus, or considered him a loon or a fraud, that they lived and moved and had their being in God at that very moment.

• 1 Corinthians 15:28: “When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”  -Once again, Paul says as plainly as he can that all are in Christ, Christ is in God the Father, and therefore all are in God and God is in all.  ALL!

 

I hope this was a blessing, even if it challenged or offended you.  In my next post, I intend to look closer at the relationship of onenness and love, and the important practical implications of this understanding.  Thank you for reading.  

 

Hitler Did Not Go to Heaven (But Neither Will We)

In this post, I want to give you some food for thought and show some incredible things I’ve seen recently in the Bible about what happens as the rule/reign/kingdom of God is manifested on earth.  Remember, the central and most universal message of Jesus and the first apostles was about the arrival and the ways of the “Kingdom of God” or “Kingdom of Heaven” (both are used in the Biblical accounts and mean the same thing.  As I wrote last time, the word “heaven” literally means “the air/sky,” and is used to symbolize the ways of God which are “higher” than those of the earth.  The word Kingdom means “reign, rule.”  So, Jesus and the apostles were essentially declaring, describing, and demonstrating how those in and under the higher ways of God’s Kingdom are to operate – the central emphasis being unconditional love and humble service toward others.  There is nothing more heroic, restorative, or beautiful than such things.

In keeping with this central message, the Bible declares that as the kingdom/rule/reign of God comes, the wicked will be destroyed.  I’ve written before that it is much more accurate to say that it is wickedNESS, rather than wicked individuals, which will ultimately be destroyed by the manifestation of the light, love and Spirit of God Himself (which are often symbolized by fire) through His sons and daughters.  In fact, both Jesus and Paul taught that it is this destruction by fire which ACCOMPLISHES the reconciliation of all men with God.  It’s a startling truth – the thing that much of Christianity claims will torture unbelievers forever is actually the thing that will result in their reconciliation and salvation!

Here is something I only recently noticed, which I think is pretty awesome: not only did Jesus and Paul clearly teach that wickedness in ALL people will be destroyed by fire, but also, just as clearly, taught that what spiritual will “remain” after the fire has burned!  Here are a few scriptures that show this:

• 1 Corinthians 3:13-15 WEB ®: “…each man’s work will be revealed. For the Day will declare it, because it is revealed in fire; and the fire itself will test what sort of work each man’s work is.  If any man’s work remains (Greek “meno,” meaning to remain, to stay) which he built on it, he will receive a reward.  If any man’s work is burned, he will suffer loss, but he himself will be saved, but as through fire.” 

• John 15:16 WEB ®: “You didn’t choose me, but I chose you, and appointed you, that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain (Greek “meno,” meaning to remain, to stay); that whatever you will ask of the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”

• Matthew 6:19-20 ESV: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (all treasures on earth will eventually be lost), but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal (things in/of heaven cannot be lost).

• Hebrews 12:27-29 ESV: “This phrase, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of things that are shaken–that is, things that have been made–in order that the things that cannot be shaken may remain (Greek “meno,” meaning to remain, to stay, to abide).  Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire.”

~

All that being said, let me explain why I made the bold claim that, like Hitler, you and I will not “go to heaven”: no one has or will “go to heaven” except Christ.  

I realize that “going to heaven” is a deep-seated, central idea within much of Christianity.  Understandably, such ideas often require a significant shift in understanding to let go of.  But there is one truth, taught all through the New Testament, that can help clarify things: EVERYTHING other than what is born of Christ/heaven will ultimately be destroyed.  Now, when I say “Christ,” I’m speaking of the Spirit of God, NOT the man named Jesus whom the Bible says was anointed by it. (see footnote 5).  The word “Christ” itself actually means “anointed/indwelt by the Spirit of God.”  The scriptures above are all saying this same thing in different ways: ultimately only what is in line with the Spirit of God will remain.  The manifestation of God’s ways is the point, NOT the destruction of wickedness!  For the sake of space I won’t try to quote all the scriptures that support this idea, but three others worth mentioning are Paul writing that God will ultimately be “All in all,” (see footnote 1), that IN CHRIST all people will be made alive (see footnote 2), and that the universe is heading toward the “restoration of all things” (see footnote 3).

Consider this: all things not born of Christ/heaven being destroyed means that at least part of what we think of as our “self” will be destroyed.  Without any doubt, the human personality known as “Hitler” was composed of things that were not born of Christ or in line with the Kingdom of God/Heaven.  Therefore, the personality known as “Hitler” does not and will not exist in the Kingdom.  But the thing is, the same is true of you and I!   Everything not born of/founded on the Spirit of God, including our ego, our opinions, our insecurities, fears, prejudices, idols, selfish and harmful ways of all sorts, even things we are not aware of, will not “remain” but are destined for destruction in the fire of God’s presence.  This is how the salvation and sanctification of all men is accomplished.  

Many of us have been taught to think of people as “saved” or “unsaved,” and maybe there’s a bit of truth in that, but it’s not that simple.  Paul wrote of believers BEING saved, and salvation as something that is “worked out,” (see footnote 4) indicating salvation is process which can increase over time.  He said such things because salvation is not merely going to heaven instead of hell when you die.   Again, what we often think of as our SELF – as the personhood referred to as “Ryan” or “Sarah” or “Ahmed” or “Camille” is not going to survive the fire of God’s unimaginable light and love.  (Revelation 2:17 even says the “overcomers” will get a “new name.”)  This is part of salvation: we will be CHANGED, as Paul wrote, and changed radically.  If you are striving for wholeness, love and goodness, then this is something to pursue and “work out,” not hide from.

In my next post, I hope to examine more closely the idea of “going to heaven,” which I believe has morphed out of eons of man’s ignorance and fear, becoming out of line with the Father’s heart and with the message of Jesus and the first apostles. 

Until then, love those around you and be humble  : )  Thanks for reading.

1. 1 Corinthians 15:28, Ephesians 1:23
2. 1 Corinthians 15:22 WEB (R): “For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive.”
3. Acts 3:21
4. 1 Corinthians 1:18, Philippians 2:12
5. Matthew 16:20; Acts 4:10,27; 10:38 

 

Why I Don’t Believe in Eternal Hell: The Scriptures!

I once heard a former Christian say that contraty to popular opinion, the New Testament actually portrays God as more cruel and violent than the Old Testament, because only the New Testament teaches the doctrine of eternal torment in hell, which amounts to God inflicting “infinite punishment for finite crimes.”

While I share similar feelings about the concept of eternal torment, what this man failed to understand is that the Bible doesn’t really teach this idea in the first place!  For the purposes of this post, it makes no difference if you believe the Bible is absolute truth or superstitious nonsense.  I simply hope to show the Bible itself much more clearly teaches the idea that all people will ultimately be reconciled to God than it does that anyone will be eternally tormented.

1 John says that the love of God – genuine, divine love – casts out fear, but I have found fear lying at the foundation of many ideas about God I was taught, and I have found the meaning of many statements in the Bible have been interpreted through a fear-based mental lens of “heaven or hell.”  To find the truth, we have to be willing not only to learn, but more importantly, to unlearn.  Please try to keep a humble heart and an open mind as you read.  If repentance is a change of mind (which is what the Biblical word means), and if repentance leads to salvation (as the Bible says), then humility is the key to open salvation’s door, while pride is the lock.

On to the scriptures:

Philippians 2:9-11 ESV: Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Revelation 5:13:  “And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, “To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!”

1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV: Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.

1 John 4:15 ESV: “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.”

Both the famous passage from Philippians and the similar verse found in Revelation 5 state clearly that at some point, EVERY person will confess that Jesus is Lord and will glorify God.  There certainly are scriptures which can be interpreted as claiming some people will be eternally tormented, BUT there are many others, including these two, which I feel are even more clear and convincing in support of the opposite conclusion.  These verses plainly state that EVERYONE will confess Jesus and glorify God, while saying absolutely nothing about ending up being tormented in hell anyway.

A friend of mine once pointed out that 1 Corinthians 12:3 adds even more support to the idea that these verses are discussing a universal reconciliation with God.  It says ONLY “in the Holy Spirit” can someone truly confess that Jesus is Lord.  Amazingly, this means that eventually, EVERY person will be “in the Holy Spirit,” since EVERY person will confess Jesus is Lord.  Therefore, to continue to believe in eternal torment, you must claim that even though each and every person will “confess Jesus is Lord to the glory of God the Father” and will be “in the Holy Spirit,” many of them will nevertheless be sent to be eternally barbecued in unimaginable pain by the creator of the universe, even though these verses say nothing of the sort, and despite the Bible stating that God is love itself, that love keeps no record of wrongs, that His love endures forever, his mercy never ceases, his anger does not last, we cannot be separated from His love, He is not counting sins against anyone and will not remember sins, who is kind (gentle, mild) even to the ungrateful and wicked, and who will be ALL in ALL.  As I have thought about this over the years, it has become clear to me that many people leave or reject Christianity not because of a problem with Jesus, who loved sinners, contradicted the religious, and championed the oppressed – they reject the truly barbaric God of eternal torment which they mistakenly believe the Bible proclaims.

Even more evidence that universal salvation is being taught here is added by 1 John 4:15, which says that those confessing Jesus Christ have God dwelling in them and are also dwelling in God!  That is such a mind-blowing statement!  Philippians 2:9-11 is depicting the reconciliation of all people to God, since John tells us that the confession of Jesus Christ as Lord that EVERYONE will make means EVERYONE has come to dwell in God and God in them!  What else could that mean but their salvation, their reconciliation, their healing from all wickedness and deception?  If all people are in God and God is in them, yet they are still eternally roasted, does that mean God will roast Himself forever?!  Of course not.  Instead, these verses together clearly show that all people become united with God, becoming sons and daughters who carry and express His nature.   As 1 Corinthians 15:28 (ESV) says:

“When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all.”  

~

2 Peter 2:9 KJV: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be punished…”

First, notice this verse mentions two categories of people: the godly and the unjust.  The mental filter or lens of “heaven and hell” I mentioned earlier has caused Chrisitanity to see and teach that “punished” means “eternally tormented.”  But is this true?   This verse makes no mention of eternity, torment, heaven or hell at all – all those ideas and meanings are assumed by the person reading it. 

Correctly interpreting this verse hinges on the meaning of the word “punished,” which is translated from the Greek word kolazo.  Today, most of us think of punishment as inflicting some sort of pain as a consequence or payment for wrongdoing, but kolazo means chastisement in order to correct.

The primary meaning for kolazo given by the popular and respected Strong’s Greek dictionary is: “To lop or prune, as trees or wings.”  According to Greek scholars, kolazo was originally used in reference to pruning, which as we know is the practice of trimming off diseased or unwanted parts of a plant to benefit the plant’s health and fruitfulness.  Over time, kolazo came to denote a similar idea with respect to people – “pruning” off diseased or useless parts (which is admittedly painful) so the person will live properly.  No one prunes a plant to “punish” it, but to benefit it.  Kolazo is a correction leading to health and wholeness, and this is the result of the “punishment” that God uses on the “unjust.”  God is love, and this is the only discipline a loving parent would use, as it is for the good of the one being punished.  We see this modeled in Jesus, who spent so much of his time healing and meeting people’s physical needs, along with meeting their spiritual needs by correcting their wrong idea of God as a law-focused judge rather than a loving Father.

Interestingly, the Greek language does have a word, timoria, which means punishment in the sense of vengeance or repayment for evil.  Arisotle, the famous Greek philosopher (who I’m pretty sure knew ancient Greek better than you or I), explained the difference between kolasin and timoria in Rhetoric 1.10.17, writing: “But there is a difference between revenge (timoria) and punishment (kolasin); the latter is inflicted in the interest of the sufferer, the former in the interest of him who inflicts it, that he may obtain satisfaction.” 

So, kolasin is “in the interest of” (that is, beneficial and corrective) the one being punished, while timoria is purely about satisfying the one doing the punishing. Eternal torment is clearly not corrective, since it doesn’t end.

The apostle Paul said that prior to meeting Jesus and being converted, he was a violent, blaspheming, persecutor of God, and in his own words, he was inflicting “timoria” on others in his violent ignorance.  He obviously wasn’t concerned with the well-being of those he was persecuting, but with satisfying his own thirst for perverted justice and revenge.  Thankfully, God is not like that!   Jesus himself taught that we are to love our enemies and do good to those that mistreat us, and that by so doing we are being sons of God because God does the same.  Love might not always feel pleasant to those opposed to it, but it is always merciful and restorative, to such a radical degree that the Bible actually teaches love doesn’t even keep a record of wrongs!  Therefore, Peter uses the word kolazo of God’s dealings with those out of line.  This is much more reflective of the heart and character of God displayed most clearly in Jesus.

Here is how this verse more literally reads: “The Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptations, and to reserve the unjust unto the day of judgment to be corrected…”

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1 Timothy 4:10 ESV: “For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.”

This verse plainly says God is the savior of “ALL PEOPLE,” as many other verses say in various ways.  And that’s what it means!  True, it also says that those who believe are “especially” saved, but that is not the same thing as saying they are the “only” ones saved.  The Greek word translated “especially” is malista, and it means “chiefly, most of all.”  I think to be “especially” saved is the same idea Hebrews 7:25 expresses when speaking of being saved “to the uttermost.”  Just as wouldn’t say “uttermost” means “only,” we shouldn’t say “especially” means “only.”  As I see it, those who believe and are especially saved or saved to the uttermost are those who, in this lifetime, recognize the spirit of Christ within them and follow it’s leading and guidance, being transformed into a manifest son of God (Paul said it is Christ in us which is the hope of glory, remember)?  Jesus is the savior of everyone, period.  However, only some will “believe” the truth and live according to the Spirit earlier, more easily, and more powerfully.  These are the ones especially saved, who will be peacemakers on the earth.

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Mark 9:43, 45, 47-49 ESV:  “And if your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than with two hands to go to hell, to the unquenchable fire. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life lame than with two feet to be thrown into hell.  And if your eye causes you to sin, tear it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than with two eyes to be thrown into hell,  ‘where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.’  For everyone will be salted with fire.”

Now we get to some statements from Jesus himself.  In my opinion, verse 49 alone should cause some very serious reconsideration of the idea that Jesus thought of hell as a place in the afterlife where unbelievers are eternally tormented in fire.  This verse hit me like a ton of bricks when I first saw what it says.  In my experience, Christianity often uses verses 43-48 to support the doctrine of eternal torment, but in my many years spent frequently reading Christian books and listening to Christian sermons, verse 49, which is essential to understand Jesus’ point, was always neglected. 

Jesus speaks of the “unquenchable fire” of “hell” in verses 43 and 47-48, and then immediately, in verse 49, says EVERYONE will be “salted” by this fire!  So if the fire of hell is an eternally tormenting fire, then was Jesus teaching that everyone will eternally burn for eternity?  Obviously not!  Was he saying everyone will receive physical burns?  Obviously not!  So, if we care about what Jesus meant more than we care about supporting what we already believe, we must at least consider that what Jesus understood by “hell” and “fire” is different from what many of us have been taught.

I’ve written about the word “hell” extensively so I’ll try to give a nutshell version here. First of all, the English word “hell” is a very bad translation, because “hell” has connotations in modern times that the Greek word it is translated from clearly never had.  The Greek word translated as “hell” here is Gehenna, which literally means “The Valley of Hinnom.”  Hinnom is a valley near Jerusalem which is still around today and is mentioned several times in the Old Testament.  Yes, the “hell” Jesus spoke of was literally a valley near where he lived, NOT any sort of an afterlife destination!   The Old Testament says it was in Gehenna the ancient Israelites sacrificed children in fire to pagan gods, and also where King Josiah ordered the items which had been used to worship foreign gods to be destroyed.  It is also thought by many scholars that in Jesus’ day, this valley was used as garbage dump where trash and dead bodies would be burned, which is partly why it is associated with “fire.”  The main point is, those Jesus was speaking to would NOT have conceived of anything like our notion of “hell” when they heard Jesus speak of Gehenna, and would have known he was not claiming that all unbelievers or wicked people would end up burning eternally in the small nearby valley.

Here is a very important insight into what Jesus meant – the reason he said EVERYONE will be touched by the fire of hell is because it is not wicked individuals, but wickedness itself which is destined to be consumed in fire.  This makes a lot of sense: if heaven, or the Kingdom of God, is a place of pure love and sinlessness, then evil and it’s causes must be eradicated.  It’s also clear that everyone, including “believers,” still have within them “evil” things which are opposed to the Spirit, such as selfishness, pride, anger, impatience, jealousy, bitterness, envy, etc.  In this passage, Jesus was (as he often did) using a familiar physical object – the nearby valley of Gehenna, which was associated with fire and destruction, as a metaphor for the destruction of spiritual wickedness that must happen within EVERYONE.  Paul, as you will see below in the passage from 1 Corinthians 3, writes about the exact same idea in more detail.  

To be fair, even if Jesus wasn’t talking about eternal torment, his words are still serious and sobering. His primary point seems to have been that it’s better to willingly make difficult sacrifices and changes in order to walk in the Spirit during one’s natural life, than to live one’s life and later enter “the age to come” with impurities and various wicked traits which will be burned up in the fire of God.  This is a serious thing, but Jesus meaning is far, far different from the meaning Christianity has taught so loudly for so long, which basically amounts to: “believe the right things and quit sinning or the God of love will ensure you are eternally tortured.”  Instead, the love of God will chastise and correct you by burning up the deception and impurity you have let remain.

Last, a quick point about the word “unquenchable.”  This does not mean “never-ending.”  Unquenchable fire simply means that this fire cannot be stopped, put out, or “quenched” until it consumes all that it’s fuel.  In verse 48, when Jesus mentions the worm that doesn’t die and the fire that isn’t quenched, he was actually quoting Isaiah 66:24, and he seems to be speaking of  the coming destruction of Jerusalem and it’s temple – an event which he talked of many times and which he plainly said those in his generation were going to experience.  And just as he prophesied, this took place in 70 AD, ending the Old Covenant system of temple worship and animal sacrifices.

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1 Corinthians 15:20-22 ESV:  “But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.  For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead.  For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.”

Romans 5:18-19 ESV:  “Therefore, as one trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one act of righteousness leads to justification and life for all men.  For as by the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, so by the one man’s obedience the many will be made righteous.”

These verses, to me (especially Romans 5) are stronger in favor of the idea that everyone will eventually be made right with God than any verse which is used in favor of eternal torment.  Right here in the Bible, it outright states that all people will be “made alive,” “justified,” and “made righteous” in Christ.  EVERYONE.  Yes, it’s true!!! To say you believe these verses while also believing in eternal torment, you essentially have to claim that Paul meant the “all” or “all men” who died in Adam to somehow be different than the “all” or “all men” who will be made righteous, justified, and alive in Christ.  That he actually meant “all” in one case, but in the very next thought meant “all” very differently, without saying so!  This is plainly not true, so why not reconsider the idea of eternal torment?  I can recall asking myself after reading this verse: “if all men are ultimately justified, made righteous and given life, how are they condemned to hell to be eternally tormented?” Conclusion: THEY AREN’T! 

Maybe, just maybe, could it be true that God’s mercy really does endure forever as the Bible says?  Could it possibly be that some of us have been taught wrong ideas by those we trust and like – ideas which have become very familiar to us, ideas which we have built entire belief systems around and are hard to let go of?  Many say this exact scenario is true of millions of other people, such as Mormons, Muslims, those in other Christian denominations, and really those of every other religion and ideology on earth besides ours – so is it really such as stretch to believe it could be true of us too?  These are plain and powerful passages, my friends!  Let’s be humble and willing to look at scripture in a new light.

What I believe Paul is basically saying here is that Jesus’ obedience was a sort-of reversal of the disobedience and “fall” which happened in the Garden of Eden – an act which brought about the self-awareness, fear and sense of separation from God that plague so many of us still today.  Here’s an important thing to consider, which these verses support: our condemnation in Adam wasn’t about our choice, and neither is our righteousness in Christ!  This is absolutely the truth that the Bible declares!!!

Think about it: whatever Paul meant that all were condemned in Adam, did anyone have a choice in it or do anything to bring it about? Could it be avoided?  No, no, and no.  It happened without any input on our part at all.  In the exact same way, Paul says that being made alive in Christ is not about our choice or even our actions, but is entirely about what God in Christ has done.  Our will cannot supersede God’s; there are limitations to the power of our choice and things we simply cannot avoid or change.  If you don’t think so, try resisting gravity or stopping the sun from rising tomorrow.  You have as much power to do those things as you do to somehow nullify the finished work of Christ in bringing righteousness to all men.  That’s what Paul said.

Of course, there is still evil in the world, because there is a difference between being given Life and made righteous in God’s sight, and actually knowing this and walking accordingly.  Paul did not say that everyone will walk in this Life and righteousness during their natural life (and as we discussed before, NO ONE fully does anyway!).  While we cannot resist being made alive in Christ just as we could not resist being condemned in Adam, it DOES seem we can choose to let go of the ignorance and selfishness that we once walked in, to seek and allow for the expression of the divine righteousness and Life that is already within.  As John 1:9 says, Christ is the light within every man, and as Paul wrote, Christ is “all and in all!”  I believe that the death of Jesus was to draw men to God by showing that God is not angry at us, is not holding our sins against us as 2 Corinthians 5 says, but rather that God is FOR us!  God in Christ took the worst death humans can give out, returned love and forgiveness for evil and ignorance, and then defeated death by rising from the grave. 

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John 12:32 ESV: “And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.”

Understanding what this verse means hinges on the meaning of the word “draw.”  I was always told and assumed that “draw” essentially means “invite,” and therefore Jesus was saying ALL people would be “invited” to him.  But is this correct?  As we saw in 1 Corinthians 15 and Romans 5, some things are simply events that took place, and no one’s choice or will has anything to do with it.  

The Greek word for “draw” is helkuo, and is probably best translated as “drag.” Helkuo is used six times in the New Testament, and I looked at each of the other 5 instances it is used.  Four have to do with being apprehended and taken against one’s will (such as being captured and “drug” to jail), and one was in reference to a sword being “drawn” (taken and used) by its owner.  In none of the other cases does “draw” involve any choice at all!  In the Bible the word always refers to a force at work which the will of the thing being drawn cannot change.  I believe the death of Christ at the cross is ultimately more powerful than the stubborn will of men, because it is a finished work of God.  We may have the ability to act as if it’s not so, but regardless, we cannot change it.  

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1 Corinthians 3:11-17 ESV:  (11) For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. (12) Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw– (13) each one’s work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. (14) If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. (15) If anyone’s work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. (16) Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? (17) If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple.”

I don’t see this passage mentioned very often, but I feel it is one of the primary writings in the Bible on the subject of how the purifying fire of God works, and with the outcome of the things we do while in our physical bodies.  I’ll admit it’s not the simplest passage, but one thing which does seem plain is that Paul meant for what he wrote to apply to ALL people, since he uses the terms “no one,” “anyone,” and “each one.”  While Christianity typically teaches that unbelievers will be “eternally lost” and tormented in hell for their sins, Paul says here that there are only two results based on the actions “anyone” takes in this life: to receive a reward, or suffer loss but be saved.  If those are the two outcomes, and if even those in the “bad” category who suffer loss and whose work is “burned up” are saved, then what room is there for eternal damnation?  Answer: only in our imagination.

I chose this passage because in it Paul seems to clearly refute two common ideas about hell which Christianity teaches.  First, contrary to the teaching that the “fire” of judgment day is reserved for the wicked and unbelievers, Paul (just like Jesus) plainly taught that it applies to EVERYONE, regardless of belief.  Second, contrary to the teaching that this fire is a source of punishment and retribution, Paul says that it serves to “disclose” and “reveal” the true motives and substance of our works; saying that the fire will “test what sort of work each one has done” (v. 13).  When Paul writes that “each man’s” work will be “revealed by fire,” the Greek word for “reveal” is apokalupto (from which we get the English word “apocalypse”), which means: “to uncover, to disclose, to make known.” This is so radically different from what is commonly taught, it is almost stunning at first.  But it’s true.  The main point here is this: The purpose of the “fire” mentioned many times in the New Testament is to reveal the true nature of men’s hearts and eradicate impurity there, NOT punishment or vengeance.  This includes the lake of fire in Revelation and the fire of gehenna (hell) that Jesus spoke of.  

Christianity often interprets things written in the Bible as physical, when the author is simply using physical things to represent spiritual realities.  This passage is one such case.  There is no sort of physical fire being discussed here – how can physical fire burn up “works,” or “test what sort of work” men and women have done?  Does someone being saved “through fire” mean they go into physical fire which   Of course not. These are metaphors. I believe deeply that “fire” represents nothing other than the pure Spirit/presence of God Himself, a presence of love at such an incomprehensible intensity that everything except what was forged in and by this fire to begin with will be “burned up.” Like the author of Hebrews wrote: “our God is a consuming fire.” The only “work” that survives is work that was forged in the fire to begin with – that is, work that was done from and in union with the Spirit of Christ within. 

With regards to those who suffer loss as their work is burned up, it’s enlightening to know the word “loss” in the passage above is the same root word Paul uses in Philippians 3:7-8 (ESV) in which he says:  “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ.  Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ…” This “loss” isn’t being eternally tormented in hell, as Paul himself said he experienced this “loss,” though he experienced it willingly, while in his physical body.

To understand what this loss is, think about this: what exactly did Paul lose in knowing Christ?  It’s nothing as simple or shallow as sinful actions or physical possessions.  No, first and foremost, he lost his treasured identity as a holy and zealous Pharisee – an upholder of the law of Moses and an opponent of all that opposed it.  According to Paul himself, before he met Christ, being a Pharisee was his entire identity and existence, and no doubt he was 100% convinced he was on God’s side and ready to die for what he believed.  But on the road to Damascus, he encountered the fire of God’s presence of love, and allowed it to begin to consume the lie of who he thought he was.  Later, Paul was able to see and say, in Galatians 2:20 ESV:

“I (false identity/adamic-life/self) have been crucified with Christ.  (I now see that) It is no longer I (false identity/adamic-life/self) who live, but Christ who lives in me. And (now that I see this,) the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (many translations: “the faith of”) the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”  

The loss that Paul suffered in order to gain Christ is the same thing Jesus talked about when he spoke of cutting off your hands or feet or plucking out your eyes in order to enter the Kingdom of God or to “enter life.”  It has to do with shedding what is dead and false in order to walk in Life and truth.  In the same way, I believe everyone, including Christians, must lose any identity apart from a son or daughter of God and member of the body of Christ on earth, and then allow the Spirit to lead them.  This is separate and above any religion. It’s an inward Life, the same that was in Jesus.

This loss that is required can happen now, willingly, or later, in the lake of fire.  When scripture speaks of the wicked being “consumed” and “destroyed,” the words themselves tell you there is an end to it. This process of “burning up” in order to be saved is what it is speaking of.  In this way, the two outcomes for “anyone” are to receive a reward, or to suffer the loss of what was impure and carnal in order to be saved through this fire.  In a very real sense, the fire isn’t retribution, it’s salvation!   Obviously, to see your work survive and receive a reward is far preferable than watching and feeling all you did and all you thought you were burn up, but nevertheless, salvation ultimately reaches ALL.

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Hebrews 1:3 ESV:  “He (Jesus) is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature…”

John 14:9 ESV:  “Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and you still do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, ‘Show us the Father’?”

Luke 6:32-36 ESV:  “If you love those who love you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. (33) And if you do good to those who do good to you, what benefit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. (34) And if you lend to those from whom you expect to receive, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to get back the same amount. (35) But love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, for he is kind to the ungrateful and the evil. (36) Be merciful, even as your Father is merciful.”

These verses speak for themselves, really.  First, we are told that Jesus Christ is the radiance of God’s glory and THE EXACT IMPRINT of His nature.  Jesus seems to have known this, as he said that to see him was to see the Father.  Nowhere in all of history can we get a clearer image of God than in the life and teachings of Jesus Christ.  So then, perhaps Jesus’ most important and all-encompassing teaching was what is known as the “sermon on the mount,” or the “beatitudes.”  In this sermon, Jesus teaches over and over that those who express the divine nature will love their enemies radically – they will be kind and do good to those who oppose them and do evil and harm to them.  In doing this, Jesus said they are being like God who is also “kind” to the “ungrateful and evil.”  Jesus NEVER said this kindness ends at physical death, to be replaced by its exact opposite!  God doesn’t change when we die. Our physical bodies are just shells in the first place!

Of course, love desires to see men repent of wickedness and begin to follow the way of love and unity as soon as possible, and love may expose hypocrisy and wickedness (as Jesus did very forcefully). But there is no good reason to think there are basically two Gods – a merciful one before physical death, and a wrathful one after. Jesus never taught this. Jesus didn’t even condemn or punish someone who was caught in the very act of adultery – a terrible sin in his day! 

I know that God can do what He wants, no matter how I feel about it.  But here’s something to think about – the self-sacrifice, mercy and love that humans find beautiful, and which are part of nearly all of humanities’ oldest and most treasured stories, is part of the divine nature within us all!  In other words, mercy and love and bravery are beautiful and appealing to us, because they are divine qualities that the divine within us rejoices in!  Didn’t Jesus say to be merciful, as God is merciful?  Fear, hate, greed, oppression and the like are ugly to us because they are contrary to our truest, deepest nature.  So if it’s the divine within me that finds mercy beautiful, something that isn’t merciful isn’t divine.