Kindness
Martin Cecil January 28, 1961
Our Master's revelation of love in action on earth included, of course, the characteristic of kindness. Reading the record as it has come down to us, as we maintain attunement with the spirit of God ourselves, we become aware of that wonderful quality in Him—kindness. And yet, as you also know, He had some pretty hard words to say on occasion. He spoke roughly, very roughly. I suppose those who heard, to whom the words were directed, could have said, from the human standpoint, that they were unkind words; but they were not. They were kind words. They gave an opportunity for those who heard them to awaken to that which was present in themselves. It was apparent that most of those to whom the words were directed did not awaken, and consequently they were incensed and indignant that anyone would speak to them so, and it increased their intent to do away with Him. But the words were in fact spoken in the spirit of love, which includes the quality of kindness. If they did not awaken, He knew very well what would happen. It would not have been kind for Him to leave them in that state, seeing that the opportunity presented itself for Him to do something about it. And not only this, but there were other things in relationship to His ministry as a whole which required that such words should be spoken, that the line of demarcation should be made clear, so that there could be no misunderstanding. And I think, even though the words which have come down to us may not have been actually His words, nevertheless they convey something of what He said, and they certainly convey something of the spirit which was moving through Him at the time they were said.
So we need to remember that kindness may appear to be cruel to those who rebel against the spirit of God. The very moment a person stops rebelling and begins to acknowledge the truth of the words that are spoken, he realizes that they are kind. Such an individual will take the attitude, “How awful it would have been to be left in that state without being made aware of it.” So there are occasions when kindness takes the form of seemingly hard words, or hard actions. Here again, then, we cannot judge by the outer form. If it is the spirit of God in action, then the form will be right. As we find what it means to maintain attunement with the spirit of God we will let that form be brought forth with an understanding of the sense of the fitness of things, regardless of the human mind's tendency to judge.
Now, we are walking on rather delicate ground here, because the self-active mind likes to indulge itself in expression which certainly is anything but kind. If it imagines that it can excuse itself for such expression on the basis of the fact that, “Well I'm just being cruel to be kind,” that keeps the individual concerned moving in the direction of perdition. There must first be a keen and consistent attunement with the spirit of God, and an awareness of it. There cannot be that attunement if the individual is subject to his or her own emotions. There must be a clear pattern in that regard. But when there is the attunement, when the spirit is allowed to take its right form according to the need of the moment, and that need of the moment calls forth something that is seemingly hard, a current of feeling will be moving through that expression. That which is brought forth will not be brought forth by reason of the feeling. It will be brought forth by reason of the spirit of God, but it would not be an expression of the spirit of God if there was no feeling moving through it. Always, when there is attunement with the spirit of God, so that that which finds expression through the individual is of the spirit of God, it is accompanied by feeling. It is not a cold, hard, unfeeling thing.
When you read our Master's words you have a very distinct awareness of a strong current of feeling moving through them. He was not just speaking words. There was something really driving home, and that can only be achieved through the intensification of the current of feeling brought forth by the movement of the spirit of God; not brought forth by reaction to the circumstance, and yet to the unknowing there may be something which seems to be the same thing, but it is not.
There are those who have taken the attitude that when our Master drove the moneychangers out of the temple He had lost His temper, and they have tended to glory in that and say, “Well look how human He was!” He was Divine. The divine expression appeared through the human form, but the expression which appeared was not human. When He drove the moneychangers out of the temple there was power in what He did. Presumably they came back in again and got back into business, but for the moment they were certainly aware that something had hit them: the spirit of God in action through human form.
The spirit of God in action through human form generates feeling in human form, so that the words and the acts are filled with feeling. In that case there was certainly a feeling of indignation. There is that which is referred to as “righteous indignation,” and human beings use this as an excuse for their reactions to external circumstances. “Oh,” they say, “but this was unfair, so I had righteous indignation”—a reaction to the unfairness. That is wrong, that is destructive. It is not an evidence of the working of the spirit of God but an evidence of the working of the spirits of this world. When there is the working of the spirit of God there is no loss of control and the individual is perfectly capable, at any moment, of letting the current of feeling settle down. He is not so carried away with it that he cannot stop it.
Control! Control of feeling, use of feeling. That current of feeling may manifest perhaps in different ways, according to the circumstance. I am thinking of this at the moment from the standpoint of that kindness which is the meeting of an issue on a positive basis. We need to learn how to do it, not becoming subject to our feelings and then excusing ourselves and saying, “Oh well, that was the current of the spirit.” We need to be honest. We cannot even approach the subject if we are not honest. Just as our Master had to meet issues during the course of His ministry on a very positive basis, so does that same requirement devolve upon those who follow Him, and we need to see there is kindness in such function when it appears by reason of the working of the spirit of God, taking form through us on that basis. When it takes form through us it takes form in thought, it takes form in feeling, and it takes form in whatever action is necessary. These are all aspects of form for the manifestation of the spirit of God, but the spirit of God must bring forth its own form, and human beings cannot rightly decide that “the spirit of God would act this way in this circumstance, therefore I'm going to react to the circumstance and feel thus and so and become all disturbed,” calling it righteous indignation or something else, which it is not at all in such case. It is not a right thing at all.
There is this aspect of kindness. When we function in true service it is necessary sometimes to be kind in this way. When we do so, we are meeting something at a certain vibratory level—a vibratory level that we have referred to as “coarse.” We spoke of coarse pneumaplasm. There is correct function, from the divine standpoint, at that level of pneumaplasm. There are all kinds of physical substance. It is not all one substance that human beings might classify as being pure in some fashion. We have all kinds of substance, physically speaking, in the world. The pneumaplasm that is generated from protoplasm emerges close to the level, the vibratory level, of the protoplasm, something that we might, using these words to describe it, call coarse, relatively speaking. It is much finer than physical substance but it is still coarse as pneumaplasm.
Pneumaplasm is not generated jumping over all the intervening realms, so that it is immediately fine—up somewhere. There is that which is present at every level—coarse and fine. Human beings in their self-activity have been able to distort the coarse, because they could function at that level. They have, to all intents and purposes, obliterated the finer pneumaplasm insofar as their awareness and function is concerned, and they consequently, in their dealings one with another, in their conversation, in their actions, in their living, are constantly working with this coarse pneumaplasm, distorting it, making it into a worse mess than it was before. And then it comes out into form of feeling, thought, word and deed—a horrible mess in the sight of God.
And yet there is right use for that level of pneumaplasm. It is not going to be eliminated. It is needful. If it was eliminated there would not be anything to connect man with the higher levels of pneumaplasm and, consequently, with God. So, occasionally it is necessary to function at that level. We cannot entirely ignore it; we have to work with it, and when we do so, we may use words and expressions which relate to that level. But here again, let us remember that it is only right when it is the spirit of God in action, taking the form that is fitting under that circumstance.
A Gentle Benediction
Uranda May 21, 1948
Gabilan Ranch Salinas, California
I have a Scripture reading that is a little long, and I do not anticipate commenting on all of it, but it carries some very important points of Truth and it illustrates some of the problems of Ministry which confront us, from John 8:12-59
“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also.
“These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father.
“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father.
“They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.
“Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. Then said the Jews unto him, Now we know that thou hast a devil. Abraham is dead, and the prophets; and thou sayest, If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death. Art thou greater than our father Abraham, which is dead? and the prophets are dead: whom makest thou thyself?
“Jesus answered, If I honour myself, my honour is nothing: it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God: Yet ye have not known him; but I know him: and if I should say, I know him not, I shall be a liar like unto you: but I know him, and keep his saying. Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by.”
It has seemed, sometimes, as we have moved along the Way, Ministering according to the opportunities that unfold before us, that the progress of our Ministry was slow. It has seemed, sometimes, that we accomplished so little, and, in comparison with that need which we have beheld in the world, the contrast has, at times, tended to discourage; but, when we stop to consider that our Great Master Himself walked upon earth, and that He Himself was able to accomplish so little in comparison with the needs of the world, and that His Words were rejected and scorned, and that the Truth that He spoke was held to be of so little importance, we should, it seems to me, be greatly encouraged—for we are not greater than He.
He said, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” That peace of God which passeth all human understanding can come only as we learn to abide in that freedom, that glorious liberty of the Children of God; and as we abide in that peace, and are enfolded in His Love, we are strengthened, and, day by day we find that the strength and wisdom for that day are provided, according to the need, and as we move forward we remember that never has any man lived upon the face of the earth who, by his life and by His Word, has influenced so many millions of people in so many generations as He whom we serve as the LORD of Lords. We recognize that those millions have not accepted His Word in fulness, else they would have been fully free; and yet, they have been influenced. Many have served Him as whole-heartedly as they knew, and they have not lived and served in vain; but we recognize that there is need for still more, that that fulness of Divine freedom should be made manifest in our hearts and minds, and allowed expression into the world—and it is to this end that we gather together, in the Name of our KING. Taking courage in a realization that those who heard Him did not accept or understand the fulness of His Word, and that even those who have thought to follow after Him have still not recognized in fulness that which He sought to convey to the children of men, we abide in peace and continue steadfast in service, knowing that there are those in the world who are responding, knowing that there are tens of thousands who are letting themselves be influenced by His Spirit.
So, gathered together, with one accord in one place, we let the Spirit of His Love flow out in a Gentle Benediction to all who will receive. As we are privileged to share this hour, in the realization of the things of God, we know that as we abide in the things of God, we are never far apart. We know that time and space and distance do not, and cannot, prevent that Oneness of Spirit by which we are privileged to accomplish that whereunto we are called.
The Light of Life is that which He has promised to those who truly follow in the Way, and as, day by day, we let ourselves live that life, we find that it is a life of joy, a life of serenity, a life of assurance, a life that is not encompassed in darkness; for as we walk in the Light, the Way is made plain, and as each step is taken the Lord provides that strength and that wisdom, that ability, whereby we may accomplish that which is necessary. The Master pointed out that He did not undertake to honor Himself, but it was the Father who honored Him. He pointed out that it was not His own Word, nor that He Himself sought to do any deed, but that it was the expression of His Father. So are we called to do likewise, for it is not that we would honor ourselves, but we would not refuse to recognize our Father, and we know that it is He that honoreth us, and as we acknowledge Him, so does He acknowledge us, that His Word may pass through our lips, that His Love may find expression in our lives, that His deeds may be performed as we move along the Way.
So, we give thanks with exceeding great joy that the Way is open, and that the provision of our KING is sure, for we know that the obstacles of the world cannot prevent that fulfilment which is essential to the accomplishment of that Great Plan by which all the children of men are being drawn into that experience of rebirth, whereby they may truly be, and become, the Children of God. Beloved Master, we thank Thee that in our relationships one with another, in our recognition of one another, in our love for one another, we are privileged more deeply day by day to comprehend and understand Thy Love for us, that we may know truly that we are Thy Children, that we may truly acknowledge Thee as our Father which art in Heaven, and we rejoice in the realization that Thy Kingdom is coming and that Thy Will is being done on earth as it is in Heaven; for Thine is the Kingdom and the Power and the Glory forever. Aum-en.
© emissaries of divine light
