E=MC2 vs C=FP2

E=MC2- vs C=FP2

Well, I am no Einstein, not even a physicist, but I believe there is spiritual wisdom hidden in this natural law. Let’s consider the divine equation revealed to Einstein: E=MC². Why divine? As mentioned before, it is because all truths support The Truth. All the truths from math, science, chemistry, etc exist because they shadow a higher Truth.
So back to E=MC² where E is energy, M is mass, and C is the speed of light in a vacuum. One thing we know from this equation is that energy and mass are directly related. In fact, one could really think of all matter as condensed light! Hard to even imagine how much light is stored in our small, frail bodies. Converting this natural equation into a spiritual one is difficult, but here is my understanding.
It seems clear that C (speed of Light and a constant) is the shadow of God’s glory, power and will because they are both constants. Some “science sticklers” may bring up the point that the speed of light is not constant except in the vacuum of space and is slower in other mediums. Well, I think this fact also relates to a spiritual truth. If the speed of light {C} is the shadow of God’s will or power then let’s consider if it is the same at every level of existence. It seems clear that God’s will is not always done here on Earth. On the other hand, God’s will before time and space in the void was done at that moment called “here and now.” In that moment God’s will or power is constant and there is nothing greater. This is like the speed of light. In the void, the speed of light {C} is a constant. Like God’s will and power, “C” only becomes lessened, in a sense, in lower mediums like our world. So now, back to the equation at hand.
I believe that E (energy) is a shadow of our consciousness, or spiritual energy if you like. Our spiritual energy is our “light” that Jesus said we should not keep hidden. I think then M (mass) represents our faith in God. Faith is the substance of our spiritual life like mass is the substance of all things. Things exist in this world because they have mass. God exists in our consciousness because we have faith. Faith has spiritual weight like mass has weight. So, the equation for this is spiritual law then would be as follows:
Consciousness of God {C} = Faith in God {F} x Power of God² {P²} or C=FP².
Let’s consider this spiritual theory. The first question that might arise is why P²? Well, again in this world we have the Holy Spirit and the Son helping us to the Father, so this would be P x P or P². The power of God {P} “squared” sounds a bit absurd, but man cannot even fathom a single P. Can you imagine God’s power? Wouldn’t trying to grasp God’s power {P} be like counting to infinity? If we can agree that God has power that cannot be measured, why then would it be any different for P x P? See my point? So let’s test this theory as best we can.
When our Consciousness of God {C} increases then does our Faith {F}, or closeness to God also increases? Yes, I believe this true. Our awareness of God is directly proportional to our faith and closeness to God.
JAS 4:7 8 Come near to God and he will come near to you.
As our faith grows, we grow closer to God and our understanding and knowledge of him and life increases. Einstein was certainly no dummy! What he discovered in the natural has its meaning in the spiritual just as every shadow has its higher reality. Perhaps in “heaven” we will have P³- the power of Father, Son and Holy Spirit available to our consciousness! We can’t even imagine! Talk about being able to fly high! Until they then though, it seems we are to remain a bit “grounded” by the earthly forces that be.

GRAVITY-
1COR 13:13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
Gravity may be my favorite force of nature. Why? This is because without a doubt it represents God’s love. As Paul alludes to, love is the greatest “force” in the spiritual universe! Gravity, like God’s love, is a complete mystification. Man cannot explain the force of gravity, but simply labels it a “law” that just is the way it is. We have no earthly idea why objects attract one another, but without gravity (and certainly God's love), life as we know it could not exist.
If one examines the law of gravity closely and then looks up to find the higher law or force it represents, we must come to the conclusion that God’s love is the spiritual form of gravity. They seem to parallel each other in every way imaginable. Like God, gravity is ever present, ever active, ever lasting. It doesn’t run out, run down and it is everywhere there is mass. The greater that mass of an object is the greater is the force of gravity. Again, spiritual mass would represent our faith or nearness to God. The closer we get to God, the stronger our love (spiritual gravity) becomes. This is the higher law of Love.

GAL 5:14 The entire law is summed up in a single command: "Love your neighbor as yourself."
It is written that God is love, and any that love are born of God. What a profound mystery that Love has created. It seems clear that the will of gravity and the will of God are the same- to be ONE. Both are constant, unyielding and dominating in their kingdoms. Gravity and God’s love affects all things at all times. It is unwavering no matter the circumstances. What is really interesting is what happens when gravity is taken to extreme limits.
The notion of “black holes” was at first mere speculation. Then later they became theoretical, but today they are all but accepted as fact. The black hole is all about extreme gravity. It is a sinkhole for all mass and energy- even light. The force of gravity becomes so strong that it overpowers all other forces of the universe! Now, that sounds like God’s love! It seems that within a black hole, the laws of physics are superseded by a higher order of “laws” just as Christ supersedes the Law of Moses.
As discussed in the article The Meaning of Life, matter and consciousness are inversely related in that as matter decreases in the universe, overall consciousness increases. So in the black hole, matter is taken from this world and consciousness is given into the spiritual realm. Again recall the spiritual equation of consciousness:
Consciousness {C} = Faith in God {F} x Power of God² {P²}
As our faith grows, our consciousness (or awareness) of God’s will also increases. This is the same relationship we see with gravity within the black hole. The black hole is drawing all things together just as God is drawing us all back so that God is all in all. The closer the mass becomes the greater the force of gravity. God’s love increases as we come together as well. We are called to love our neighbor as our self, but do we realize why? It is because we are all part of the Body of Christ. As we come together because of the overpowering force of God’s love, we become ONE body! And like the mass transformed in the black hole, we are also transformed into a higher state of being in Christ!
What I also find interesting is a black hole is likely formed when a large star goes super nova. In other words, once a star has surrendered a critical amount of mass through the process of fusion, it then explodes and collapses upon itself. It gives all that it can, and then it begins to take EVERYTHING back! This is the nature of God and the “Cycle of Life,”. If all has come from God and all is returning to God, then love is the gravity making this possible.

Gnostic Christianity's Response to Terrorism

 Gnostic Christianity's Response to Terrorism

Hate repaid with hate is twice the hate. Return hate with love is the true Christian response to terrorism. Non-violence illustrate this response. Wars have killed billions. If we practiced what Jesus and Paul taught terrorism would have been defeated by love.

Love "is the answer". Non-violence is its weapon. Peace and abundance is love's reward.

In their own words, Jesus and Paul's response to terrorism is:

Jesus in Matt 5:38-42 (JBV)43 “YOU heard that it was said, ‘You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ 44 However, I say to YOU: Continue to love YOUR enemies and to pray for those persecuting YOU; 45 that YOU may prove yourselves sons of YOUR Father who is in the heavens, since he makes his sun rise upon wicked people and good and makes it rain upon righteous people and unrighteous. 46 For if YOU love those loving YOU, what reward do YOU have? Are not also the tax collectors doing the same thing? 47 And if YOU greet YOUR brothers only, what extraordinary thing are YOU doing? Are not also the people of the nations doing the same thing? 48 YOU must accordingly be perfect, as YOUR heavenly Father is perfect.

Paul in Rm 12:14-21(JBV)

Bless those who persecute you: never curse them, bless them. Rejoice with those who rejoice and be sad those in sorrow. Treat everyone with equal kindness; never be patronizing but make real friends with the poor. Do not allow yourself to become self-satisfied. Never repay evil with evil but let everyone see that you are interested only in the highest ideals. Do all you can to live at peace with everyone. Never try to get revenge; leave that, my friends, to God's anger. As scripture says: Vengeance is mine-I will pay them back, the Lord promises. But there is more: If your enemy is hungry, you should give him food, and if he is thirsty, let him drink. Thus you heap red-hot coals on his head. Resist evil and conquer it with good.

Paul in Phil 2:1-6 (JBV)

If our life in Christ means anything to you, if love can persuade at all, or the Spirit that we have in common, or any tenderness and sympathy, then be united in your convictions and united in your love, with a common purpose and a common mind. That is the one thing which would make me completely happy. There must be no competition among you, no conceit; but everybody is to be self-effacing. Always consider the other person to be better than yourself, so that nobody thinks of his own interests first, but everybody thinks of other people's interests instead. In your minds you must be the same as Christ Jesus: His state was divine, yet he did not cling to his equality with God.

Misreading False knowledge 1 Timothy 6:20

Misreading False knowledge 1 Timothy 6:20

1 Timothy 6:20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called “knowledge,”

A well known example is the misreading of the Greek word gnōsis in 1 Timothy 6:20 as a reference to Gnostic teaching. Having decided that the word referred to Gnosticism, expositors attempted to find evidence throughout the letter that the Gnostics were the specific false teachers mentioned. The conclusion that Paul was warning against Gnostics was then transferred wrongly to Paul’s other letters.

‘We must beware of imposing an outside situation upon the letters. For instance, in previous generations some scholars read Gnosticism from the second and third centuries A.D. into the New Testament letters, so that the opponents in almost every Pauline letter were identified as Gnostics. Virtually no one advocates the Gnostic hypothesis today, for it is illegitimate to read later church history into first century documents. The Gnostic detour could have been avoided if scholars had read the Pauline letters themselves more carefully, for evidence for full-fledged Gnosticism cannot be read out of his letters.’, Schreiner (complementarian), ‘Interpreting the Pauline Epistles’, Southern Baptist Journal of Theology (3.9), (1999).

Religions and Beliefs

Religions and Beliefs:

Greetings to you  my brothers and sisters.

I appeal to you concerning a matter that needs to be addressed which is common among you.
There is to much contention among you concerning your many beliefs, this much was even done among the disciples of Christ, and it did not benefit none.


1 Corinthians 3:4 ►....... English Standard Version
For when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human?

1 Corinthians 1:12 ►........ New Living Translation
Some of you are saying, "I am a follower of Paul." Others are saying, "I follow Apollos," or "I follow Peter," or "I follow only Christ."

For others I say in this manner:

Some say I study the Samaritan way while others say I study the Greek, and yet others, say I follow Moses, those with like minds shall never attain into the truth of the preexisting father nor understand his way.

Know this my brothers our father and the kingdom of heaven is in you and all around you, but many cannot see it nor grasp hold of this meaning, the understanding of the kingdom does not come by some mixture or combination of mixtures but by a personal relationship with whom you all are seeking to know, did not he say we all are his children, and if you consider yourself his child then develop a father or mother relationship with them.

As for me my desire is for you all to know him and her as I do, but I know one son and one daughter knows the father and mother different from another, or is there one among you saying that they are incapable of loving each according to the level of knowledge that, that one son and daughter has, surely I tell you a mystery.

So let one share his or her knowledge in the thing he or she knows, our father and mother shall reveal the light of true gnosis to all, and that is on each level, and at the time of unity then and only then shall we be able to speak the same language.
So then let us put aside such things there is much to be learned.
I leave you with this.

1 Corinthians 13:12 ►.......... New Living Translation
Now we see things imperfectly, like puzzling reflections in a mirror, but then we will see everything with perfect clarity. All that I know now is partial and incomplete, but then I will know everything completely, just as God now knows me completely

Only God knows Pistis Sophia Chapter 102

Only God knows Pistis Sophia Chapter 102 

GOD'S WORD® Translation

I know a follower of Christ who was snatched away to the third heaven fourteen years ago. I don't know whether this happened to him physically or spiritually. Only God knows.


It was only till now I realized , that man was Me!

I was standing on the outside of me watching me, seeing what what I was soon to become.


I stepped out of that "hued man" and saw that I was a "SON of MAN"

Not one just made of "Soil but "ONE CREATED of SPIRIT and SOUL and MIND"


New American Standard Bible

But when God, who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and called me through His grace, was pleased


He spoke to me with pure "MIND", in perfect "THOUGHT" said unto me,


Jeremiah 1:5

"Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."


NET Bible

2 Timothy 2:15

 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately.


New International Version

Matthew 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,


Let them know that this is not a Baptism as the world teaches, but it is an Introduction into the knowledge of the truth, of who is the Father, they are the Sons, and the Life that is in them is given to them by the Holy Spirit!

And that they all are born of a Virgin Birth, their Spirit's are Eternal Virgins,

I have hidden the Virgin in a Mortal Body.


GOD'S WORD® Translation

Our bodies are made of clay, The treasure of the Good News "is" in them. This shows that the superior power of this treasure belongs to God and doesn't come from us,

1 Corinthians 2:5

so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God's power.

So I leave this with you my Brothers, and Sisters, that you may know your self and your root.


"JESUS continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "When I shall have gone into the Light, then herald it unto the whole world and say unto them: Cease not to seek day and night and remit not yourselves until ye find the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, which will purify you and make you into refined light and lead you into the Light-kingdom.

"Say unto them: Renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all its care and all its sins, in a word all its associations which are in it, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements which are in the judgments."

Pistis Sophia A THIRD BOOK CHAPTER 102

Pistis Sophia: The Gnostic Tradition of Mary Magdalene, Jesus, and His Disciples

These are the teachings that Christ taught his disciples privately, these teachings were translated as parables, but the correct translation is Mysteries, But not everyone possesses this knowledge.

Pistis Sophia Chapter 132 Spirit and Body

Spirit and Body Pistis Sophia Chapter 132

To know ones self, is the beginning of ones awaking:

I've asked you to know yourself, and now i expand the question.

Know what is yours and that which is given to you!

Listen and i shall make an effort to reveal that which is hidden,

1)yours= is spirit life from the unbegotten Father the pre-existing one

2)the body= what is given.

Be careful of that which is given to you , it is not yours, The Aeons are beings that pre-dates the Archons who are the so call gods of the old testaments, and these are called the rulers of the great fate, the great fate is an area beyond the reach of man and the archons a region too vast to be reached by them both, and it is these who fashions the sins and the counterfeit spirit, now, the counterfeit spirit has power over the body, meaning the feelings and emotions,

By looking at the body , and not seeing the spiritual being in the body, ignorance will take you captive and sleep and slumber shall overshadow you, and you shall become a servant to Fate, and Destiny will kill you, and from this you shall not awaken,
The mystery is this, an aeon that goes by the name of Pistis desired to create a being to rule over all the matter of chaos, chaos is the vast darkness which we call outer space, this being, creature whose mother is pistis, and his name being 'yalda baoth'. after becoming aware of his existance, he proclaimed that he was God over all that is matter, this world inwhich we live is matter, and this matter is the refuse of the gods and aeons, 'yalda baoth'. took the refuse of the gods and aeons and constructed Earth, then created the body of man out of this earth.

My brothers and sister we are not bodies which is refuse of the aeons, but we are greater far beyond the thoughts of the aeons, we are Self Perpetuating life giving spirits, whose origins are from the all the total of existence, from he who is first man self-man who is pure mind! and we were sent and placed inside of these bodies inwhich we reside in now, longing to be released from these bodies of refuse matter.

so do not claim, lay hold of , accept, cling to any and all things that pertains to your body of matter, it is all Refuse of the gods and aeons, even your sins, your problems are not yours, renounce them.

their aeons, to the number of three-hundred-and-sixty-and-five, and give them the soul and the counterfeiting spirit, which are bound to one another. The counterfeiting spirit is the without of the soul, and the compound of the power is the within of the soul, being within both of them, in order that they may be able to stand, for |345. it is the power which keepeth the two up-right. And the rulers give commandment to the servitors, saying unto them: This is the type which ye are to put into the body of the matter of the world.' They say unto them indeed: 'Put the compound of the power, the within of the soul, within them all, that they may be able to stand, for it is their up-rightness, and after the soul put the counterfeiting spirit.'

Of conception."Thus they give commandment to their servitors, that they may deposit it into the bodies of the antitype. And following this fashion the servitors of the rulers bring the power and the soul and the counterfeiting spirit, bring them down to the world, and pour [them] out into the world of the rulers of the midst. The rulers of the midst look after the counterfeiting spirit; and also the destiny, whose name is Moira, leadeth the man until it hath him slain through the death appointed unto him, which the rulers of the great Fate have bound to the soul. And the servitors of the sphere bind the soul and the power and the counterfeiting spirit and the destiny. And they portion them all and make them into two portions and seek after the man and also after the woman in the world to whom they have given signs, in order that they may |346. send them into them. And they give one portion to the man and one portion to the woman in a victual of the world or in a breath of the air or in water or in a kind which they drink.

"All this I will tell unto you and the species of every soul and the type, how they enter into the bodies, whether of men or of birds or of cattle or of wild beasts or of reptiles or of all the other species in the world. I will tell you their type, in what type they enter into men; I will tell it you at the expansion of the universe.

Pistis Sophia  CHAPTER 132

Good Soil Gospel of Thomas Saying 9

Gospel of Thomas Saying 9 Jesus said, "Listen, a sower came forth, took a handful, and cast. Now, some fell upon the path, and the birds came and picked them out. Others fell upon rock, and they did not take root in the soil, and did not send up ears. And others fell upon the thorns, and they choked the seed; and the grubs devoured them. And others fell upon good soil, and it sent up good crops and yielded sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure.

The comparison of this spoken word of God to seed is a very happy comparison. Viewing the mind of man as soil, there is a strict analogy between the one and the other. Just as soil—the very best—has no power to yield garden flowers without seed or its equivalent, so the human brain has no power to evolve knowledge or wisdom without the impartation of ideas from without. Ideas are not innate in the human mind. The mind of a new-born babe is an absolute blank: and the mind of a grown man would be the same, if from his babyhood he were kept away from all contact with idea-acquiring agencies and sources. The kind of ideas he forms depends upon the class of ideas implanted by these external agencies. His mind will develop according to the influences acting upon it from without.

The phrase: ”bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure." this may refer to each of the twelve disciples receiving FIVE measures, five is the number of Grace  12 x 5 = 60
If they each doubled what they were given, as in the parable of the “talents” in Matthew 25:14-29, that would be TEN measures each. 12 x 10 = 120

 Jesus said, "Now the sower [anyone who is truly commissioned to sow the word] went out, took a handful (of seeds) [the Words of life], and scattered them [again He "enlightens every man that comes into the world"]. Some fell on the road [the broad way - the Judean\Christo-pagan systems of worship who are full of believers but none with sufficient faith to obey and keep the Word]; the birds [sinful minded religious leaders (Pharisees and Scribes who followed Mosaic/Talmudic Law back then and still do today through the Triple Crown Power) whose road leads to death (the whole world follows after this beast now)] came and gathered them up [they cleverly hid the Keys of Knowledge and the hidden Word from people everywhere by imprisoning and killing anyone who spoke of it (they kept the scrolls and the Keys to themselves allowing no laity access to them]. Others fell on the rock [those who gleefully received the Word but with hardened hearts], did not take root in the soil [having a lack of moisture (faith in the Word) these yearned for the "traditions" of their forefathers and were not able to endure the obedience test], and did not produce ears [first-fruit - sons of the Kingdom who carry the seeds of life within them]. And others fell on thorns [those who although believing, are already established in their worldly ways]; they choked the seed(s) ["quenched the spirit" (of the Word) due to their lusting after the world and its riches] and worms ate them [serpentine (errant) thoughts made them into food for their belly that they might use the Word for their own benefit]. And others fell on the good soil [those of a pure heart full of moisture (faith)] and produced good fruit [spiritual food and more faithful believers]: it bore sixty per measure and a hundred and twenty per measure."

lion becomes a man Gospel of Thomas Saying 7

Jesus says: "Blessed is the lion which a man eats so that the lion becomes a man. But cursed is the man whom a lion eats so that the man becomes a lion!"

Jesus is the lion of Judea (#Ge 49:9,10 Nu 24:9 Heb 7:14 Rev 5:5) The lion was often the symbol of royalty. Thus, the lion is a symbol of the King. And here are the symbolism of that which is good and desirable characteristic or quality: Majesty, courage, destructiveness to enemies symbolism Justice, attribute of “living creature” near the throne (Re 4:7) Jesus as royal majesty, King, executor of justice (Ge 49:9; Re 5:5) Yahweh (Isa 31:4; Ho 11:10) Israel (Mic 5:8)


Eating: From other sayings in Thomas, we may infer that the lion can be eaten only if it is killed and becomes a corpse compare Saying 11, 60. The lord Jesus tells us to eat his flesh. Thus his follower can only do this after his death

Thus “the lion will become man.” after Christ being formed within you after eating the meat of the word the lion (the king) will become a (new) man (in you) I must ask whether the conclusion of this logion ought not to read: [‘and the man will become lion’]. Anyway, they both make sense with this meaning

The Lion also represents the savage thoughts that arise within us
The lion was also used to symbolize human passions. Wicked men (e.g., Psa. 22:12, 13; 57:4; Prov. 28:15 1Pe 5:8).

As I have said above the lion can be eaten only if it is killed and becomes a corpse or the lion can only eat or devour the man if he is dead compare Saying 11, 60 For the lion to devour you first you must be dead that is spiritually dead.  eat or devour One's character, property, life, etc. See Mat 23:14; Hab 1:13; Psa 37:12

The lion will become a man this speaks of ignorance and evil taking over a man and turning a man into something less than a man. Therefore, we need to control our passions in order to transform us in to the image of Christ who is now the true image of God. 

7) Jesus said, "Blessed is the lion [the individual spirit consciousness who has been moved by the "spirit of the world" (sin 1Jo 2:16 ) exhibiting carnal (fleshly) nature] which becomes man [becomes enlightened by the "spirit of truth" one of the "Elect "] when consumed by man [when the spirit of truth in man gets mastery over the flesh and the world i.e. "kills the old man" i.e. devours the lion (beast) within]; and cursed is the man ["one who once tasted the free gifts of the spirit" (enlightenment)] whom the lion consumes [sin once again gets mastery over this one], and the lion becomes man [created in his own image i.e. the spirit of "anti-Christ" - "who went out from among us" (the Elect)]." 

Do Not Do What You Hate Gospel of Thomas Saying 6

Gospel of Thomas saying 6  [His disciples] questioned him [and said], "How [shall we] fast? [How shall we pray]? How [shall we give alms]? What [diet] shall [we] observe?" Jesus said, "[Do not tell lies, and] do not do what you [hate, for all things are plain in the sight] of truth. [For nothing] hidden [will not become manifest]."

Like all devout Jews, the disciples knew their religion, but Jesus knew the Truth. They were focused on following rules and laws, but Jesus simply followed God. They had been taught what was right and proper, but Jesus knew in his spirit what was holy and perfect. Jesus gave them a basic lesson for any interested in finding the Truth. Do not lie! He also adds that we should not do what we hate.

true fasting is abstinence from evil words and actions, not from indifferent things like food Sayings 14, 27, 104

It is apparent from Jesus’s answers that He was making it a point to inform us that the questions asked of Him were born of the flesh and not of the spirit.  Everything we do is in plain sight of Heaven and since heaven is both inside and outside, our acts will be exposed not only to ourselves but others.  Most people think that no one sees them in their little lies, their silly justifications and their (in their mind) covert actions but the reality is that they are always discovered by a son of the Most High no matter how hard they try to cover them.

6)# His disciples questioned Him and said to Him, "Do you want us to fast? How shall we pray? Shall we give alms? What diet shall we observe?" [all of these questions demonstrate a lack of understanding at the time by the disciples] Jesus said, "Do not tell lies [do not try to cover up (justify) your sins], and do not do what you hate [for this is the epitome of hypocrisy - we should "do unto others as we would have done unto us"], for all things are plain in the sight [spiritual eyes] of Heaven [those who have these eyes]. For nothing hidden [in the hearts of man or in the scriptures] will not become manifest [to those who "have eyes to see" and ears to "hear what the spirit is saying"], and nothing covered will remain without being uncovered [One with two eyes and two ears is able to discern both the lower/outward (fleshly) forms and the higher/inward (spiritual) substance of the Word for these have discovered these "keys of Knowledge" and are able to "uncover" the hidden things in man and in the Word]."

The Fall in the Tripartite Tractate

The Logos in the Tripartite Tractate

The Tripartite Tractate view of the Fall

First a quote from the Tripartite Tractate

The intent, then, of the Logos, who is this one, was good. When he had come forth, he gave glory to the Father, even if it led to something beyond possibility, since he had wanted to bring forth one who is perfect, from an agreement in which he had not been, and without having the command.
This aeon was last to have <been> brought forth by mutual assistance, and he was small in magnitude. And before he begot anything else for the glory of the will and in agreement with the Totalities, he acted, magnanimously, from an abundant love, and set out toward that which surrounds the perfect glory, for it was not without the will of the Father that the Logos was produced, which is to say, not without it will he go forth. But he, the Father, had brought him forth for those about whom he knew that it was fitting that they should come into being.
The Father and the Totalities drew away from him, so that the limit which the Father had set might be established - for it is not from grasping the incomprehensibility but by the will of the Father, - and furthermore, (they withdrew) so that the things which have come to be might become an organization which would come into being. If it were to come, it would not come into being by the manifestation of the Pleroma. Therefore, it is not fitting to criticize the movement which is the Logos, but it is fitting that we should say about the movement of the Logos that it is a cause of an organization which has been destined to come about.
The Logos himself caused it to happen, being complete and unitary, for the glory of the Father, whom he desired, and (he did so) being content with it, but those whom he wished to take hold of firmly he begot in shadows and copies and likenesses. For, he was not able to bear the sight of the light, but he looked into the depth and he doubted. Out of this there was a division - he became deeply troubled - and a turning away because of his self-doubt and division, forgetfulness and ignorance of himself and <of that> which is.

What does Irenaeus say about the Fall of Sophia

Irenaeus against heresies: How can it be regarded as otherwise ridiculous, that (wisdom) was involved in ignorance, corruption, and passion? For these things are alien and contrary to wisdom, nor can they ever be qualities belonging to it. For wherever there is a lack of any thing beneficial and an ignorance of knowledge, there wisdom does not exist. Let them therefore no longer call this suffering Aeon, Sophia, but let them give up either her name or her sufferings. And let them, moreover, not call their entire Pleroma spiritual, if this Aeon had a place within it when she was involved in such a tumult of passion. For even a vigorous soul, not to say a spiritual substance, would not pass through any such experience.
the tripartite tractate contens an early form of Christian Gnosticism which differs complets from other Gnostic texts when it comes to the Fall

Now let's a look at the bible's use of Logos 

3056 λόγος logos log’-os 

some of the meanings of the word 

 its use as respect to the MIND alone 
2a) reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating 
2b) account, i.e. regard, consideration 
2c) account, i.e. reckoning, score its use as respect to the MIND alone 
2a) reason, the mental faculty of thinking, meditating, reasoning, calculating 
2b) account, i.e. regard, consideration 
2c) account, i.e. reckoning, score

decree, mandate or order reason, cause, ground, 


Mt 5:32  But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause <3056> of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery.

Mt 22:15  Then went the Pharisees, and took counsel how they might entangle him in his talk <3056>.

Lu 16:2  And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account <3056> of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward.

60 ¶  Many therefore of his disciples, when they had heard this, said, This is an hard saying <3056>; who can hear it?
66  From that time many of his disciples went back, and walked no more with him.

Act 19:40  For we are in danger to be called in question for this day’s uproar, there being no cause whereby we may give an account <3056> of this concourse.

Looking at these Bible quotes we can see that there are many uses of the word logos not all of them referring to the divine logos

The tripartite tractate associate the fall with logos and not with Sophia.  In fact, the fallen aeon is not called Sophia at all, but simply a logos, or word (logos being used as a generic name for the aeons).

I've always felt it wrong that sophia (wisdom) in Gnosticism is the bad guy that created sin that's just really absurd and it complete doesn't make any sense at all

In the Bible Eve is not responsible for sin Adam is, we see this in Paul’s statement at Romans 5:12-19, which places the responsibility for sin upon Adam. Compare tripartite tractate 107.20–108.12

“And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.”

This gives no indication that Eve deceived Adam or seduced him into eating.  In fact, Adam is partially blaming God for the woman's presence.  At the same time he was trying to place the responsibility on Eve for HIS disobedience.  Yet there is NOT ONE accusation against Eve throughout the scriptures, except to state that she, being deceived, was in the transgression (1 Timothy 2:13-15 “For Adam was First formed, then Eve.  And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.  Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.”)

Eve was deceived by the Serpent, but “Adam was not deceived,” says the apostle Paul. (1Tim 2:14) With full knowledge Adam willfully and deliberately chose to disobey and then as a criminal he tried to hide. When brought to trial, instead of showing sorrow or regret or asking for forgiveness, Adam attempted to justify himself and pass the responsibility off on others, even blaming God for his own willful sin. “The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit from the tree and so I ate.” (Gem 3:7-12)

Tri. Trac. 107.20–108.12: This is the expulsion which was made for him, when he was expelled from the enjoyments of the things which belong to the likeness and those of the representation. It was a work of providence, so that it might be found that it is a short time until man will receive the enjoyment of the things which are eternally good, in which is the place of rest. This the spirit ordained when he first planned that man should experience the great evil, which is death, that is complete ignorance of the Totality, and that he should experience all the evils which come from this and, after the deprivations and cares which are in these, that he should receive of the greatest good, which is life eternal, that is, firm knowledge of the Totalities and the reception of all good things. Because of the transgression of the first man, death ruled. (Romans 5:17) It was accustomed to slay every man in the manifestation of its domination, which had been given it as a kingdom because of the organization of the Father's will, of which we spoke previously.

Therefore since sin came by one man it stands to reason that Sophia is not responsible for the fall the Logos is

The account in the Gospel of Truth is also extrememly relevant here. The opening paragraphs of the Gospel of Truth describe the Fall. It contains no explicit references to mythological figures familiar from other Valentinian texts (e.g. Sophia, the demiurge, etc.). However, these passages do refer to a semi-personified "error."

Both Error and Logos fail in their quest to find the Father.

"He is the lord of all of them, that is, the countenance which the logos (i.e. Error) brought forth in his thought as a representation of the Father of the Totalities. Therefore, he is adorned with every name which is a representation of him, since he is characterized by every property and glorious quality. For he too is called 'father' and 'god' and 'demiurge' and 'king' and 'judge' and 'place' and 'dwelling' and 'law'" (Tripartite Tractate 100:21-30).


Ptolemy interprets the same passage in terms of the Aeons in the Fullness (pleroma) in his Commentary on the Prologue of John quoted in Irenaeus Against Heresies1:8:5 (cf also Excerpts of Theodotus 6:4). In this case, Ptolemy interprets the passage to refer to the Aeon Word (logos) who, along with his partner Life (zoe), is the one who is responsible for the creation of all subsequent Aeons

Heracleon a Valentinian teacher describes the the demiurge in relatively positive terms as the logos's agent and hence ultimately the Father's agent in creation 

Fragments from a Commentary on the Gospel of John by Heracleon Fragment 1, on John 1:3 (In John 1:3, “All things were made through him, and without him nothing was made.”) The sentence: "All things were made through him" means the world and what is in it. It excludes what is better than the world. The Aeon (i.e. the Fullness), and the things in it, were not made by the Word; they came into existence before the Word. . . “Without him, nothing was made” of what is in the world and the creation. . . "All things were made through Him," means that it was the Word who caused the Craftsman (Demiurge) to make the world, that is it was not the Word “from whom” or “by whom,” but the one “through whom (all things were made).”. . . It was not the Word who made all things, as if he were energized by another, for "through whom" means that another made them and the Word provided the energy. 

The Father the single One created the universe 52.4-6 It is, then, only the Father and God in the proper sense that no one else begot. As for the Totalities, he is the one who begot them and created them. He is without beginning and without end.

However, the perpetuation of the cosmos through the creation of physical bodies is accomplished through the logos



Now this Logos is different than the Son. or this first thought in the tripartite tractate
the Gospel of John the logos and the Son of God are one and the same

The point made may be a distinction between the logos as willed by the Father and as originating in him, cf. 75:23-24.

The Teaching of Renunciation 2 Corinthians 4:2

The Doctrine of Renunciation

Early Christianity went through a great cycle of renunciation and it is still held in many conservative sects that the renunciation of worldly ambition, worldly appetites and worldly goods is indispensable to spiritual salvation

During the 3th century a Christian Gnostic sect arose called the Apotactics or Apotactites (from the Greek apotassomai, to renounce) and spread through the western and southern parts of Asia Minor (present Anatolia, Asian Turkey). Very little is known about them only that they places great importance of the doctrine of renunciation

The Apotactics believed that "a renunciation of property is necessary to salvation. It seems the Apotactics took there understanding from Luke 14:33

Lu 14:33 So likewise every one of you that doth not renounce<657> all that he possesseth cannot be my disciple.

Peter answered and said to him, "Lord, you have taught us to forsake the world and everything in it. We have renounced them for your sake. What we are concerned about (now) is the food for a single day. Where will we be able to find the needs that you ask us to provide for the poor?" The Lord answered and said, "O Peter, it was necessary that you understand the parable that I told you! Do you not understand that my name, which you teach, surpasses all riches, and the wisdom of God surpasses gold, and silver and precious stone(s)?" (The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles)

Say to them :Renounce the entire world and all matter within it and all its concerns [fear, worry, lack of faith] and all its sins, and in general all associations with it, that you may be deserving of the mysteries of Light and be delivered from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.” (The Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles)

XLVII. The Word does not bid us renounce property; [12] but to manage property without inordinate affection; and on anything happening, not to be vexed or grieved; and not to desire to acquire. Divine Providence bids keep away from possession accompanied with passion, and from all inordinate affection, and from this turns back those still remaining [13] in the flesh. (Attributed to Theodotus, as collected by Clement of Alexandria)

Apotassomai and Apeipomen

Strong's #657: apotassomai (pronounced ap-ot-as'-som-ahee)

middle voice from 575 and 5021; literally, to say adieu (by departing or dismissing); figuratively, to renounce:--bid farewell, forsake, take leave, send away.

There is another Greek word apeipomen which can be translated Renounce

550. ἀπειπόμην apeipomen [ap-i-pom’-ane]; reflexive past of a compound of 575 and 2036; to say off for oneself, i.e. disown: — renounce.

To renounce, disown, forbid, refuse. Reflexive past of a compound of apo and epo; to say off for oneself, i.e. Disown.

It is used once in the New Testament 2Cor 4:2 and twice in the Septuagint (Greek translation of the Old Testament) see 1 Kings 11:2, and Job 10:3

2Cor 4:2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth

The word apeipomen means, to speak out or off; to refuse or deny; to forbid. Here it means, to renounce, or disown; to give up, to disclaim, to cast off, to give up a belief or opinion by open confession.

New Testament Apocrypha

The doctrine of Renunciation is found in early christian text like the Acts of Paul, the Acts of Peter and the Twelve Apostles, and Pistis Sophia. See also Gospel of Thomas saying 27 on fasting from (or, abstaining from) the world."

(Gospel of Thomas 27) <Jesus> said: If you do not fast to the world, you will not find the kingdom; if you do not keep the Sabbath as Sabbath, you will not see the Father.

The Acts of Paul Chapter 2:16: Blessed are they that have renounced this world, for they shall be well-pleasing unto God.

No one knows the God of truth except solely the man who will forsake all of the things of the world, having renounced the whole place, (and) having grasped the fringe of his garment. He has set himself up as a power; he has subdued desire in every way within himself. (The Testimony of Truth)


But the baptism of truth is something else; it is by renunciation of the world that it is found. But those who say only with the tongue that they are renouncing it are lying, and they are coming to the place of fear. Moreover, they are humbled within it. Just as those to whom it was given to have been condemned, they shall get something! (The Testimony of Truth)

The Gospel of Thomas Saying 81 Jesus said, "The one who has become rich should reign. And the one who has power should renounce it

The Gospel of Thomas Saying (110) Jesus said, "The one who had found the world and become rich should renounce the world."

The wealthy ones are they having knowledge, understanding and wisdom as a crown on their heads a Jewelled crown of light, which is the Christ-consciousness. One who is wealthy in this way shall become a king in the age to come. But those who are powerful or have power should give it up and become poor to become rich.


To be 'children of the living Father' is to be free from the society and not to be bound to the world and its values. 'Blessedness' does not depend upon the marks of success in this world. One's identity should not be determined by whatever is valuable for personal status in the social fabric of the world.


What is made clear is that man must renounce the world and transform his mind if he hopes to receive the mysteries that will open for him the inheritance of the Light when the individual feels alone and abandoned by all and sundry, sinking into a period of depression that might lead to despair, until he is able to renounce his last remaining attachments to the world—namely, his feeling of being a separate "I"—prior to final and permanent union with God or the Light.

Spiritual meaning of renunciation 

renunciation--A letting go of old thoughts in order that new thoughts may find place in consciousness. A healthy state of mind is attained when the thinker willingly lets go the old thoughts and takes on the new. This is illustrated by the inlet and outlet of a pool of water.
The center of renunciation, sometimes called elimination, in the lower part of the abdomen, carries forward the work of elimination of error thoughts from the mind and waste from the body.


Renouncing is the mental process of erasing from the mind the false beliefs of the outward senses or the consciousness of sin. Renouncing clears away false beliefs and attitude and thus makes room for the establishing of the Gospel.

The consciousness of sin is made up of a multitude of false individual beliefs and cultural attitudes. Through Renouncing we get rid of these shadows of reality. We cleanse the temple of the mind of these false ideas. In so doing, we make way for the planting of the seeds of the Gospel.

Renouncing may be made in many ways. The conscious acknowledgement that you have been mistaken in your conclusion is Renouncing. Refusing to longer enterain thoughts of the carnal mind is Renouncing.

The ability to Renounce is twofold in action: it eliminates the error, and it expands the good. When the ego consciously lets go and willingly gives up its personal ideas and loves, it has fulfilled the law of denial and is restored to the Father's house.

But all disciples know it is easier to denounce sin than to renounce it.

The admission of sin and the prayer for forgiveness is Renouncing.

A list of things to be Renounced

The list of things to be Renounced which is found in Pistis Sophia chapter 102 this should be seen as a moral code of behavior



Pistis Sophia chapter 102
JESUS continued again in the discourse and said unto his disciples: "When I shall have gone into the Light, then herald it unto the whole world and say unto them: Cease not to seek day and night and remit not yourselves until ye find the mysteries of the Light-kingdom, which will purify you and make you into refined light and lead you into the Light-kingdom.

What men should renounce."Say unto them: Renounce the whole world and the whole matter therein and all its care and all its sins, in a word all its associations which are in it, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements which are in the judgments.

"Say unto them: Renounce murmuring, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce eavesdropping [?], that ye may [be worthy of the mysteries of the Light] and be saved from the judgments of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce litigiousness [?], that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce false slander, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce false witness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and that ye may escape and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce pride and haughtiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-pits of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce belly-love, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of Amente.

"Say unto them: Renounce babbling, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fires of Amente.

"Say unto them: |256. Renounce craftiness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements which are in Amente.

"Say unto them: Renounce avarice, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce love of the world, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the pitch- and fire-coats of the dog-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce pillage, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce evil conversation, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the chastisements of the fire-rivers . . . .

"Say unto them: Renounce wickedness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of Ariēl.

"Say unto them: Renounce pitilessness, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the judgments of the dragon-faced [ones].

"Say unto them: Renounce wrath, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the dragon-faced [ones.]

"Say unto them: Renounce cursing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-seas of the dragon-faced [ones].

"Say unto them: Renounce thieving, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the bubbling seas of the dragon-faced [ones]. |257.

"Say unto them: Renounce robbery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce slandering, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the fire-rivers of the lion-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce fighting and strife, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething rivers of Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce all unknowing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the servitors of Yaldabaōth and the fire-seas.

"Say unto them: Renounce evil doing, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the demons of Yaldabaōth and all his judgments.

"Say unto them: Renounce sloth, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the seething pitch-seas of Yaldabaōth.

"Say unto them: Renounce adultery, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light-kingdom and be saved from the sulphur- and pitch-seas of the lion-faced [one].

"Say unto them: Renounce murder, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the crocodile-faced ruler,--this one who is in the cold, |258. is the first chamber of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce pitilessness and impiety, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the rulers of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce atheism, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the howling and grinding of teeth.

"Say unto them: Renounce [magic] potions, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great cold and the hail of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce blasphemy, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from the great dragon of the outer darkness.

"Say unto them: Renounce the doctrines of error, that ye may be worthy of the mysteries of the Light and be saved from all the chastisements of the great dragon of the outer darkness.

Personal Angels Acts 12:14-15

Personal Angels

The Scriptures are clear as to the role of the Angels at Creation in response to the commandment of the Almighty:

“By the Word of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth” (Psa. 33:6).

Yahweh gave the command, and the Angels obeyed. He said: “let there be light, and there was light” (Gen. 1:3). “He spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast” (cp. Psa. 33:9). So it was that the Angels (Hebrew: Elohim—see Psa. 8:5) were the agents through which the Almighty accomplished His Will in creating the Heavens and Earth. So it is that we read in Genesis chapter 1: “In the beginning, Elohim created the heavens and the earth” (Gen. 1:1).

But after the 6 days of Creation, the Angels still have a creative role to play, for during the 6000 years of Creation, their working in human affairs is essential for the development of those called out for the Name of the Lord. As we read in Hebrews, they are “all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation”(Heb. 1:14).


We, who have been called out from the world to become Sons of the Living God are the “heirs of salvation” if we remain faithful. So, the Word of Yahweh is clear: the angels are our ministers! Their purpose is to ensure the outworking of God’s Will both in world affairs but also in us as individuals. The Angels have the charge of ministering to us, and our needs.

Right from the beginning, the Angels have been intimately involved with Human Affairs. Genesis 1:26 reads: “and Elohim said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness”. The reference to “our” in this place shows this point. We are made after the physical and moral likeness of the Elohim. Again following the sin of the first human pair “Yahweh Elohim said, behold the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil”.

The Angels were then given the charge of ministering to those who took hold of the Almighty’s Plan of Redemption, keeping them in the way (cp. Exo. 23:20), bringing them through the trials of life (Gen. 48:16), that they might also attain to immortality, being made equal to them (Lu. 19:36) when restored to the friendship of the Deity.

As we have seen from Hebrews 1:10, the Angels are our ministers. That is, each saint has his/her own personal angel, which ministers to him/her. This is not merely a fairy story taught to children as the world would have us believe, but it is clear Scriptural teaching. Consider these words of Messiah:

“take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you, that in heaven, their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven” (Mat. 18:10).

The disciples who become as children before their Father have their own angels. We must not despise one of these little ones, for their Angel stands in the presence of God in heaven.

The Lord had his own Angel, spoken of in the book of Revelation:

“The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John (Rev. 1:1).

It is evident that the Apostles believed that they each had an Angel. When Peter was released from prison, he came to Mary’s house, and knocked on the gate. A young damsel “when she knew Peter’s voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate.

And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, it is his Angel” (Acts 12:14-15). Thus, not believing that Peter had been released, in seeking for an explanation, they said “it is his Angel”. Mat. 18:10; 2:13, 19; Psa. 34:7; Heb. 1:14 (Diag.).

What is Grace

Grace

Grace the undeserved kindness of God

5485 xáris (a feminine noun meaning-, "“a favour freely done, without claim or expectation of return, leaning towards to share benefit,  – properly, Undeserved Kindness.

5485 (xáris) is used of God's favour – freely extended to give Himself away to people (because He is "always leaning toward them").

The word is often used to refer to a kind gift or a kind manner of giving. When referring to the undeserved kindness of God, the word describes a free gift given generously by God, with no expectation of repayment.

grace--Good will; favor; disposition to show mercy; aid from God in the process of regeneration. "By grace have ye been saved" (Eph. 2:5).

Conditional Grace

God’s grace has been offered to the entire human family. “For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men . . .” (Titus 2:11). This cannot mean that every soul will be saved. Such a conclusion would contradict numerous other passages.

What this does suggest is that God’s grace is potentially available to all who care to access it by means of the divine plan of redemption (cf. Romans 5:1; 6:3-4,17).

The receiving of God’s grace is conditional. Some Christians get this wrong asserts that grace is bestowed unconditionally by the sovereign will of God. The Bible negates this concept.

The principle is illustrated by the example of Noah, who “found grace in the eyes of Yahweh” (Genesis 6:8); and yet, as the writer of Hebrews shows, Noah and his family were saved by preparing an ark in obedience to God’s instruction (11:7; cf. Genesis 6:22). Yahweh proffered the grace. Noah, by faith, obeyed Yahweh, and so was blessed. While God extends grace, human beings must be willing to “receive” the favour (2 Corinthians 6:1).

Grace is conditional and requires something on our part: faith.

Justification– “A man is justified by faith” (Romans 3:28)
Sanctification– “sanctification by…faith in the truth.” (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
Glorification– “[Jesus will] present you before Him (God) holy and blameless and beyond reproach— if you indeed continue in the faith.” (Colossians 1:22)

The Grace/Knowledge Connection

1 Corinthians 1:4-7

4 I thank my God always concerning you for the grace of God which was given to you by Christ Jesus,
5 that you were enriched in everything by Him in all utterance and all knowledge,
6 just as the witness about the Christ has been made firm among you,
7 so that YOU do not fall short in any gift at all, while YOU are eagerly waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ

Grace is expanded into "discourse and all knowledge,” v5 endowments with which the Corinthians were especially favoured

The access to God’s grace is by means of an objective body of revelation. Paul noted: “For the grace of God hath appeared . . . instructing us . . .” (Titus 2:11-12). Christianity is a taught religion. Isaiah, speaking of the kingdom age, proclaimed: “. . . he will teach us of his ways . . .” (2:3). Jesus himself declared: “It is written in the prophets, And they shall all be taught of God. Every one that hath heard from the Father, and has learned, comes unto me” (John 6:45).

God’s grace is not dispensed apart from an instruction that requires both understanding and obedience. In these days when there is a tendency to “stampede” folks into the church, with little  comprehension of what they are doing, this is a crucial matter to emphasise.

Grace Is Not Earned

Grace excludes merit. We must constantly remind ourselves that humanity is not deserving of salvation. No one can “earn” pardon by works of human merit. If such were the case, we could boast regarding our redemption; however, that is impossible (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Even if one were able to perform everything God commands, he still must regard himself as an “unprofitable servant” (Luke 17:10). Jesus taught that our sins have put us head-over-heels in debt, and no person has the ability to liquidate that obligation (cf. Matthew 18:24-27).

When this concept is truly comprehend, service to Almighty God will flow with a freshness and zeal that invigorates the soul. Doubtless a failure to comprehend fully the true significance of grace is the reason many church members are spiritually inactive.

"Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ" (John 1:17); that is, the real saving, redeeming, transforming power came to man through the work that Jesus did in establishing for the race a new and higher consciousness in the earth. We can enter into this consciousness by faith in Him and by means of the inner spirit of the law that He taught and practiced.