John 14:20 … making Salvation simple (03/01/11)
With regards to “Salvation”, it really is quite simple. Regardless of your faith (or lack thereof), there is a very simple formula for attaining “the Kingdom of Heaven” (or Nirvana, or Valhalla, or pure Contentment). And it is:
Love your Neighbor as your Self
We’ve all heard this phrase or its equivalent many times during our lives, and we have been taught that it means to care for your friends and family just as you wish to be treated — the “Golden Rule”.
And yet, adhering to this version of this phrase will not bring the Peace of which I speak — it will not grant you entrance to Heaven. Only the courage to practice its deepest meanign will grant you access to that hallowed state-of-Being.
And how to do so? By redefining “heaven” as Here&Now (not a time or a place after your death — see Luke 17:20-21), by redefining “Love” to be a caring action (not a fuzzy feeling or a friendly thought — see John 13:15-17), by redefining “Neighbor” to refer to your enemy (not those who are treating you well — see Luke 10:29-37), and by redefining “your self” as “God” (not how you would wish to be treated, but how you would treat God — see Acts 17:28 & John 14:20).
When we do so, our phrase takes on a whole new meaning, and provides us with the key to the Gates of Heaven:
To experience pure Contentment in this moment, actively care for your enemies as though they are God.
Regardless of your faith (or lack thereof), this is the path to inner Peace — This is The Way!
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