SECTION II
The Disciple,--Master, some people say
that the comfort and joy that believers experience are simply the outcome of
their own thoughts and ideas. Is this true?
The Master,--1. That comfort and abiding
peace which believers have within themselves is due to My presence in their
hearts, and to the life-giving influence of the fullness of the Holy Spirit. As
for those who say that this spiritual joy is the result only of the thoughts of
the heart, they are like a foolish man who was blind from his birth, and who in
the winter time used to sit out in the sunshine to warm himself. When they
asked him what he thought of the sun's heat he stoutly denied that there was
such a thing as the sun, and said, "This warmth which I am now feeling on the
outside comes from within my own body, and is nothing more than the powerful
effort of my own thoughts. This is utter nonsense that people tell me about
something like a big ball of fire hanging up in the sky." Take heed, therefore,
lest anyone captures you "with philosophy and vain deceit, after the traditions
of men and after the rudiments of the world." (Col. ii.8).
2. If true happiness depended on the thoughts of
man, then all philosophers and deep thinkers would be filled to overflowing
with it. But with the exception of such of them as believe in Me, those who are
wise in the philosophy of this world are altogether devoid of happiness, except
for a kind of fleeting pleasure which they derive from following out certain
rules of their own.
But I have so created man that he has a natural
fitness for the reception of the Holy Spirit by means of which alone is he able
to receive this heavenly life and joy. As in charcoal there is a natural
fitness to receive fire, but without oxygen the fire cannot enter it, so unless
the oxygen of the Holy Spirit finds an entrance into a man's soul he will
remain in darkness and will never enjoy this true and lasting peace (John
iii.8).
3. This fitness of heart and thoughts of man is
like that of the strings of a guitar or violin. When these are tightened and
made to harmonize, then by the touch of the plectrum or the bow the most
charming music is produced; but if that is not done the touch of the bow only
produces discords. And the production of sweet sounds when the strings all
harmonize is again dependent on the air, by the force and motion of which sound
is carried into the ear. In the same way, to harmonize the thoughts and
imaginations of men the presence of the stimulating breath of the Holy Spirit
is necessary. When that is present there will be produced heavenly airs and
joyous harmonies in men's hearts, both in this life and in heaven.
The Disciple,--Master, sometimes I am
conscious that my peace and happiness have departed. Is this because of some
hidden sin of mine, or is there some other reason unknown to me?
The Master,--1. Yes, this is sometimes due
to disobedience, but occasionally I appear to leave My children for a short
time and then they become lonely and restless. Then while they are in that
condition I am able to reveal to them their actual selves and their utter
weakness, and teach them that apart from Me they are nothing but dry bones
(Ezek. xxxvii.1-14); so that they may not in a constant state of rest and peace
forget their essential condition, and, deeming themselves to be God, fall
through pride into the punishment of hell (1 Tim. iii.6; Jude 6; Isa.
xiv.12-17). In this way they are trained and educated; and when they humbly and
meekly abide in Me, who created them, they will enjoy eternal happiness in
heaven.
2. Sometimes it happens that when I enter into My
children and fill them with the fullness of the Spirit, they overflow with such
divine happiness and joy that they are not able to endure the glory and
blessing that is theirs, and so fall into a state of faintness or even
unconsciousness. For flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God, nor
temporal things those which are eternal, until men are set free from the power
of vain mortality and raised into glory (1 Cor. xv.50,53; Rom. viii.19-22).
Then shall My will be done on earth in every creature, even as it is done in
heaven. Then shall pain and suffering, sorrow and sighing, woe and death be for
ever done away, and all My children shall enter into the kingdom of My Father,
which is joy in the Holy Ghost, and they shall reign for ever and ever (Rom.
xiv.17; Rev. xxi.4; xxii.5).