Notes and references from 8/12/01
The Two Categories of InspirationIn this week’s Golden Text we are told that the Spirit of God dwells in you. How? We learn in Christian Science that you actually reflect Spirit, God. Your very thoughts, speech and actions can, if you are inclined, be inspired from Mind. This happens through angel thoughts from the divine all-knowing source of all ideas. Being at one with Mind with a pure and receptive though allows us to be a clear transparency for Mind’s plan for you.
Golden Text:
Romans 8:9 ye (to 1st .)
9 ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.
581:4
ANGELS. God's thoughts passing to man; spiritual intuitions, pure and perfect; the inspiration of goodness, purity, and immortality, counteracting all evil, sensuality, and mortality.
These inspired thoughts take two forms: peace/love and strength/courage. These two types of inspired thoughts have three qualities: purity, goodness and immortality. We all know the first part of the definition of the term Angels but what about the last part. Here Mrs. Eddy uses opposites to explain these inspired thoughts. (Goodness, purity and immortality counteract all evil, sensuality and mortality).
Look at the two forms of thought in each of the statements below: (1) Gabriel and Michael; (2) the two angels at Sodom and (3) Elijah resting (sleeping) and eating (strength).
566:29-3 (to .)
The Old Testament assigns to the angels, God's divine messages, different offices. Michael's characteristic is spiritual strength. He leads the hosts of heaven against the power of sin, Satan, and fights the holy wars. Gabriel has the more quiet task of imparting a sense of the ever-presence of ministering Love.
Gen 9:
1 And there came two angels to Sodom at even; and Lot sat in the gate of Sodom: and Lot seeing them rose up to meet them; and he bowed himself with his face toward the ground;
2 And he said, Behold now, my lords, turn in, I pray you, into your servant's house, and tarry all night, and wash your feet, and ye shall rise up early, and go on your ways.
15 And when the morning arose, then the angels hastened Lot, saying, Arise, take thy wife, and thy two daughters, which are here; lest thou be consumed in the iniquity of the city.
16 And while he lingered, the men laid hold upon his hand, and upon the hand of his wife, and upon the hand of his two daughters; the Lord being merciful unto him: and they brought him forth, and set him without the city
.
(8) I Kings 19:1-8
1 And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword.
2 Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to-morrow about this time.
3 And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there.
4 But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O Lord, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.
5 And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat.
6 And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again.
7 And the angel of the Lord came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee.
8 And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of God.
How do we reach the point where we can receive these inspired thoughts? It is by daily study, purification of thought, love of the good and seeking immortal qualities in your life. Mrs. Eddy tells us how on the “must” page.
15:14-27
In order to pray aright, we must enter into the closet and shut the door. We must close the lips and silence the material senses. In the quiet sanctuary of earnest longings, we must deny sin and plead God's allness. We must resolve to take up the cross, and go forth with honest hearts to work and watch for wisdom, Truth, and Love. We must "pray without ceasing." Such prayer is answered, in so far as we put our desires into practice. The Master's injunction is, that we pray in secret and let our lives attest our sincerity.
Christians rejoice in secret beauty and bounty, hidden from the world, but known to God. Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers.
Here are some related passages on the subject:
(9) 186:5,19-20
Christian Science destroys material beliefs through the
6 understanding of Spirit, and the thoroughness of this work
determines health
(13) 299:11
Angels
12 are God's representatives. These upward-soaring beings
never lead towards self, sin, or materiality, but guide to
the divine Principle of all good, whither every real indi-
15 viduality, image, or likeness of God, gathers. By giving
earnest heed to these spiritual guides they tarry with us,
and we entertain "angels unawares."
(14) 254:2-8,10-12
Individuals are consistent who, watching
3 and praying, can "run, and not be weary; . . . Patience
walk, and not faint," who gain good rapidly and final
and hold their position, or attain slowly and perfection
6 yield not to discouragement. God requires perfection,
but not until the battle between Spirit and flesh is fought
and the victory won.
(29) 567:10
Truth and Love prevail
against the dragon because the dragon cannot war with
12 them. Thus endeth the conflict between the flesh and
Spirit.
(30) 506:10-12
Through divine Science, Spirit, God, unites under-
standing to eternal harmony. The calm and exalted
12 thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Exalted