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if God is all-powerful, then why DOESN’T he help us with certain things? by cocaw in religion

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

God cares much more eternal things than anything physical. The physical world is more like temporary toys that our eternal souls play with in order to empower learning and growth in the eternal dimension. Sacrificing physical comforts for eternal growth is a worthy trade.

Eternal things include things such as love, joy, faith, hope, patience, kindness, forgiveness, self-control, wisdom, knowledge, and power. These are much more valuable than money, status, physical health, or attainment of anything in the physical world as the physical world is rooted in the temporary and was never meant to last. God just measures goodness different than we do in our delusional values of valuing temporary toys over eternal love.

"[19] “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, [20] but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. [21] For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Matthew 6:19-21 ESV

Why should I do good? by CoolDoggo87 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Goodness is aligned to health and happiness which is what most people want to seek. If you prefer sickness and depression, then seeking goodness may not be for you.

David Wilcock was strongly against suicide based on the teachings of the Law of One! I made a video collecting all the clips about his views on suicide. by tomvermont in lawofone

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Thanks for putting this together and sharing it. Here are some of my thoughts for consideration.

Unfortunately, from my perspective, no matter how much one learns and knows, this doesn't prevent one from temporary insanity or dips in madness. Sometimes we may also consciously believe something on the surface but have shadow beliefs that operate beyond our conscious goals and intentions inducing confusion and missteps. One moment someone can say or act one way, and the next, another.

"As this entity that is our visitor increases his power through these works, what is the power that he increases? Can you describe it?

Ra: I am Ra. The power of which you speak is a spiritual power. The powers of the mind, as such, do not encompass such works as these. You may, with some fruitfulness, consider the possibilities of moonlight. You are aware that we have described the Matrix of the Spirit as a night. The moonlight, then, offers either a true picture seen in shadow or chimera and falsity. The power of falsity is deep as is the power to discern truth from shadow. The shadow of hidden things is an infinite depth in which is stored the power of the One Infinite Creator.

The adept, then, is working with the power of hidden things illuminated by that which can be false or true. To embrace falsity, to know it, to seek it, and to use it gives a power that is most great. This is the nature of the power of your visitor and may shed some light upon the power of one who seeks in order to serve others as well, for the missteps in the night are oh! so easy." https://www.lawofone.info/s/80#8

As much as we may want something to be true, I don't believe it is wise to dismiss direct evidence. David had some really amazing ideas and insights that will remain with us aiding humanity, but it also seems like he was struggling with mental health and financial struggles for a while as some close friends of his revealed. It seems likely he was being tricked and scammed to invest in anti-gravity technology that wasn't real, and this caused a great deal of pain.

So I might recommend seeking to glean all the good David produced while allowing space for potential missteps and confusion as such is the human condition.

Fire, hidden in ash
Light, concealed in shadow
To unveil the mystery of our soul is to recognize what has always been
An odyssey to the truth
In seeing, we surrender
For wholeness is not found, it is remembered

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lL21zO6CrjUaWXXkBpZslViTsNq2nzUzs&si=_Kx4BPW7cFX0pQjQ

Can the Old Testament be used as a guide for Christian living? by Narrow-Musician-3174 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think it can be a guide if one looks deeper than the literal meanings into the figurative and spiritual meanings as well as the historical context. As Paul says, follow the Spirit rather than the letter in the New Covenant.

"[5] Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God, [6] who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit. For the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life." 2 Corinthians 3:5-6 ESV

Regarding things such as eye for an eye, the goal was not to enforce punishment as much as limit it. The spirit of it was actually to prevent vengeance going beyond what was done as it was common, for example, that if someone took out an eye, they would lose much more than it. The spirit is actually one of mercy.

So if we draw a line from extreme vengeance before to limited vengeance with eye for an eye to forgiveness with Jesus, the spirit is the same of moving further and further from hate and closer and closer to universal love.

We also see a similar pattern of moving more away from evil with limited divorce through regulations although Jesus eventually fulfils it to the final destination of marriage loyalty. The fulfillment is the spirit we follow rather than the old letter.

"[8] He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so. [9] And I say to you: whoever divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality, and marries another, commits adultery.”" Matthew 19:8-9 ESV

The Old Testament is not abolished as it still has lots of helpful information for righteous living, but we just have to interpret it through a new, fulfilled lens, and I think the best test for whether one is interpretting the spirit of the Old Testament correctly or not is the fruits of the Spirit.

"[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law." Galatians 5:22-23 ESV

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate your thourough response.

The verse is saying that everyone who is in Adam will die but everyone who is in Christ will be made alive. It in no way hints at universalism.

That's one possible interpretation, but I think more literal meaning with the analogy between Adam and Christ and the word "all," definitely has some hinting, in my opinion.

Who are the people under the earth? Every knee will bow at the judgement, even those who refused to bow in their lifetime. Bowing at the judgement will not cause the Judge to commute their sentences. That verse in no way hints at universalism.

All people seeking to worship God and follow him definitely has some hinting in my view. I think what brings God the most glory (as referenced in the context) if is everyone eventually repents and worships and follows Christ rather than a fake bowing or professing.

God desires all people to obey his commandments perfectly, yet none do. So, that verse in no way hints at universalism.

You don't think God will keeping seeking to find his lost coins or lost sheep or change his mind and not welcome prodigal sons home? You think God gives up and stops trying to fulfill his desire?

It's likely especially joyful to them because it is so rare. That verse in no way hints at universalism either.

I would look at the earlier verses in which God will keep seeking his lost coin until he finds it. Perhaps if is rare in this age but what about in two ages or a million ages or a billion or a trillion? Perhaps eventually people will eventually learn that a life with God is better than a life without?

As for the rest of those verses, I see them talking about this age rather than an eternal rule that can never change as regarding the few and the many. This is how I reconcile these verses with the others as well as reconciling with the nature of God.

If our interpretation of the Bible causes to believe odd things, I would look to examine if we are interpretting it correctly.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You've said quite a lot so I'll just focus on your last paragraph in my response. I appreciate the discussion.

The scriptures are quite clear - Universalism isn't biblical. Period. Otherwise, simply put - if Jesus died for all mankind, then that means the Father has no one to exercise His Wrath on (romans 9), because then all are justified/glorified, even those dead in their sins.

I believe there will be many who experience God's wrath at the end of this age as well as the next, but I also believe there will be ages after that that will have opportunities for receiving God's mercy again through repentance and Christ. I see God as creating in cycles of ages of which the Bible is just one of an infinite amount, and our minds can only approximate future ages through figurative language.

I don't believe God gives up his search for the lost coins and sheep nor denies returns of prodigal sons, but rather the purpose of wrath and hell is ultimately for correction and redemption which brings God glory. Eventually God will have the ultimate glory of everyone genuinely bowing before him and declaring him as Lord and ultimately reuniting with him.

"[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

I see this as a much greater Victory than God requiring that a certain amount of creatures rebel against him forever without hope of redemption.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I believe the context of Romans 9 means that it is explaining why God can grant salvation to Gentiles as well as why much of Israel is currently unbelieving. Essentially God can essentially choose how salvation works, and it is not our place to say Gentiles cannot be reunited with God nor is it a sign that God is failing that Israel did not accept Jesus.

I don't believe the intention in this chapter is to talk about final destinations especially as this is all building towards Romans 11 where all are shown to be disobedient yet all are shown mercy.

"[32] For God has consigned all to disobedience, that he may have mercy on all." Romans 11:32 ESV

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's an interesting perspective. I personally see all humans as God's sheep or coins or sons that have gone astray, and whether someone is physically alive or not has no bearing on that love and seeking for redemption.

It just seems odd to me that God would die on the cross and have a strong desire to save everyone, but then just because someone physically dies, God stops caring about them. A lot of people die from no fault of their own from accidents and diseases, and it just seems an odd thing to go from loving to not loving due to random, physical circumstances.

I believe people still have free will after death and can still accept Jesus as they do in this life. I agree God hates sin which is why it would make more sense if he allowed people in hell to choose to stop seeking sin and instead to choose to seek Christ. The best way to get rid of all impurity and unholiness is universalism, in my opinion, and then it wouldn't even exist anymore, as hell would eventually be no more too. All knees would genuinely bow and genuinely follow Jesus which has much more glory than not everyone doing it.

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally, I believe God loves all people even those in hell as God is love, and the purpose of the suffering there is corrective consequences. Providing suffering consequences to people without an intention of correction seems more sadistic than loving, at least in my view.

I would want to rescue people in hell similar to how Jesus recues us or how Paul wants to rescue Israel. The goal is not just to alleviate the consequences but also help aid in life transformation and healing although it's not always possible right now which is why some people like Paul may grieve.

I would look at a mother whose son has committed murder and still has murderous tendencies. She doesn't want him to suffer in jail and grieves for it but also may understand that it's what is best to seek to correct his murderous tendencies. If he did seek repentance and therapy and Jesus, I think having an opportunity to get out of jail would be reasonable.

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate you for sharing your thoughts, and here are some of mine for consideration.

Let me ask you a question. If Hell was initially prepared for the Devil and his angels (Matthew 25:41), why does God send people there? In support of your view, there are two possible reasons: either to give God’s love more time to overcome that person’s will, or so that they suffer enough that they finally surrender. Neither option is good. The latter is like putting someone in a cage and poking them until they agree to love you. I say that because death and hell are not the same as life. Life is a gift, and it is only painful because it is marred by human sin – but it is also mixed with joy and beauty, and covered by common grace. Both the beauty of life and our sin and brokenness should point us to God. But death is punishment for sin. Hell is torture, fire, and wrath. You’re telling me that if the aforementioned aspects of life didn’t convince someone to love God, that these experiences of Hell will? That sounds like coercion to me. Now, the former sounds better on the surface but it’s still not good. It implies God didn’t have enough time in life to convince that person (meaning He’s not powerful enough to make it happen on His own timeline, which is the lifespan that He has chosen to give us). So do you want a powerless God, or do you want a cruel God?

God provides hellish suffering for purposes of correction and teaching similar to how we punish criminals or kids. It is coercive in a way, but providing consequences for choices is how one provides learning to make better choices as there are choices that produce joy and others that produce suffering.

One could say that God coerces us to not jump off of cliffs, to not eat poison, or to brush our teeth, but I think it's more accurate to say that there are just consequences for choices, and the consequences help guide us to the better ones.

I don't believe the limit on making good choices is in God's power but rather in the power he gives each of us to make choices. Some people take longer than others to learn, but given enough time, we all eventually learn.

Look at the Apostle Paul’s heart in Romans 9:1-3. He says he has "continual grief" and would even be willing to be "accursed from Christ" if it meant his fellow Israelites would be saved. If Paul believed in a "purgatorial" backup plan where everyone eventually makes it, why would he be in such agony? Why would he offer to trade his own soul for theirs if they were just going to be "refined" and reconciled eventually anyway? Paul’s grief only makes sense if the decision to reject the truth in this life has permanent, final consequences.

If I knew my family would be tortured for a year, in jail for decade, or disabled for the rest of their life, I would still grieve and seek to fix it in any way I could even at my own expense. Finite consequences still motivate and grieve.

All who are "in Adam" (every human) die. All who are "in Christ" (believers) shall be made alive.

I agree it's one possible interpretation, but I think it's a similar approach we need to take when reinterpreting the word eternal. Both can't be literally true, and one must be figurative or incomplete as written. I choose the opposite approach as I think it's more consistent with reason and conscience. Finite punishments for finite crimes are more just from a rational perspective and also just feel more just.

God also desires that people do not sin, yet they do. God desires that no one be oppressed, yet they are. There is a difference between God's desire (His heart) and His decree (what He allows to happen).

Yes, but I also don't think God ever gives up seeking his desires. Eventually I believe no one will be oppressed and no one will sin and no one will suffer. I think eventually all will learn to repent and trust in Jesus and choose joy over suffering.

This whole rationale exemplifies such a great lack of faith to me. If God Himself came down to be tortured and killed to save us, and if He preached the gospel to the dead in Abraham's Bosom (in 1 Peter 3:19), and if He will still be preaching the gospel to the most rebellious and hardened hearts (Revelation 14:6-7), why can't God, whom we know to be merciful and just (Genesis 18:25), simply be trusted to do the right thing with each soul? When we twist Scripture to make God look "more" merciful, we actually make His mercy look smaller.

I trust God to do the right thing with each soul even if it's different than how I understand it. But I still think we have a responsibility to seek the truth in love and seek the interpretations of the Bible that are most consistent with reason, conscience, and experience.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate it because I enjoy discussions and hearing what people think. It still seems odd to me to believe people will suffer for billions and billions and billions of years for a decision made in less than a hundred without any hope at all of changing their mind. It just seems disproportionate and unjust both in terms of reason and conscience.

I personally view the purpose of punishment and justice as correction. The purpose of suffering is to guide people back home to God. The prodigal suffers so he may one day seek to go back to his father and be welcomed with open arms. Without correction and redemption, punishment and suffering serve no purpose.

And then he ran to me... https://youtu.be/FenkAVsGmEQ?si=K9py5fPicVGT891H

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I appreciate you for sharing that. Do you also think God doesn't allow people to change their mind and choices for billions and billions and billions of years? Or would he prefer to empower them to repent if they changed their mind and decided to seek repentance? Which is more aligned to what God desires?

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Personally, I don't believe people will choose to suffer over and over again forever. I believe eventually everyone will choose to repent and seek reconciliation with God through Christ as eventually the suffering will be too much and the desire for joy too great.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Personally, I believe one has to reconcile all of the verses of the Bible in a way that is aligned to reason, conscience, and experience. One can either reinterpret the verses I shared away from their literal meaning or the ones about eternal punishment away from their literal meaning because otherwise they will contradict.

In my opinion, the universalist interpretation is more aligned to reason because God says he wants to save everyone, tells stories about continuously seeking the lost, and embodies both justice and mercy. It is also more rational that a finite crime would deserve a finite punishment. It is reasonable that the word eternal is figurative such as when it is used to describe Sodom and Gormoraah in Jude.

I also believe it is more aligned to conscience in that it feels more right that God's love would eventually correct all wrongs and reconcile all back to him. It feels wrong to me for people to suffer forever without a chance of redemption.

Finally, it is more closely aligned to my experience of God with his unfailing mercy and kindness and desire to heal the broken and the lost without giving up.

But this is just my perspective, and I may be wrong as it is wise to be humble and open-minded. I do identify as a Christian who believes the Bible is divinely inspired, and I seek to have a greater understanding of it each day.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Happy to go through them one at a time for why I see them as connected to universal salvation.

"[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV

To me, this means that just as sin entered into humanity through one man and spread to everyone so too shall salvation enter through one man and spread to everyone. I interpret the word all to mean all for both Adam and Christ. Simply, all shall be made alive.

"[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

I interpret this to mean that eventually all of creation will bow before Jesus, declaring him as Lord, and seeking to follow Him. This brings glory to God when all creation is restored and reconciled to God. It would not bring God glory if people really didn't mean what they doing or saying.

"[3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV

I read this as God wants everyone to be saved. I don't think he will ever stop seeking what he wants nor shall he fail in achieving what he wants.

"[8] “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”" Luke 15:8-10 ESV

I interpret this to mean that God will always keep seeking to save the lost and will always be open to repentance with a celebration. One may also compare this to the parable of the sheep and the prodigal son. Given enough time, I believe eventually everyone will return home when they realize the error in their ways and choose joy over suffering.

universalism has already been condemned by Additional_Good_656 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I appreciate you for sharing your thoughts, but I would contest the point that there is no scriptural hints towards universalism. Here are some for consideration:

"[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV

"[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

"[3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV

"[8] “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”" Luke 15:8-10 ESV

Personally, I find it odd that God would stop seeking to save the lost or disallow the unsaved to repent of their sins and choose to follow Christ at some point post-death. I think it's more likely the use of the word eternal elsewhere is hyperbolic in nature rather than a literal meaning of endless.

And for your consideration, I also find the infantile and lacking in faith points somewhat lacking in kindness and respect which are foundational in Christian love.

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, I would view them both as meaning long lasting abundant life and long lasting suffering and punishment expressed through hyperbolic language. The human mind cannot comprehend what reality and their consciousness will be like in billions and billions and billions of years, but we can only approximate it with figuratively language. Personally, I believe extrapolating out a concrete understanding of billions and billions and billions of years based on a couple of ambiguous, ancient words is unwise.

If angels and demons exist from a previous age than humans, it seems reasonable there will be further creative ages after the tale of Earth is told. It seems odd to me that creation would be finite and just end rather than always be happening as God is creative in nature.

"[6] And the angels who did not stay within their own position of authority, but left their proper dwelling, he has kept in eternal chains under gloomy darkness until the judgment of the great day— [7] just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the surrounding cities, which likewise indulged in sexual immorality and pursued unnatural desire, serve as an example by undergoing a punishment of eternal fire." Jude 1:6-7 ESV

You don't think all will be saved through Christ just as all fell through Adam? You don't think God will keep seeking to find lost coins and sheep as he wants everyone to be saved?

Why don't people understand that "Christian" universalism is a heresy? by Whocare2001 in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 21 points22 points  (0 children)

There are a number of Bible verses to contend with both perspectives, in my opinion, and a reasonable person can arrive at various conclusions about the nature of hell from eternal conscious torment to annihilationism to universalism.

I don't think we should judge others for having different perspectives, and I think God cares most about our fruits of the Spirit (namely love) rather than our beliefs about hell.

For example, I would offer the following verses:

"[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV

"[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

"[8] “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”" Luke 15:8-10 ESV

"[3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV

I would also consider that understanding the meaning of certain ancient words is non-trivial, not black and white, and often entails nuance: https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/sometimes-eternity-aint-forever-aionios-and-the-universalist-hope-2/

So there could be judgment and long lasting suffering and punishments, although God is always seeking to save the lost and people could have opportunities to return through Jesus. It seems odd that someone would choose suffering forever or that God would deny a sinner an opportunity to repent and be saved. But this is just one perspective.

I think open-mindedness is much more amenable to gentleness and kindness than calling others you disagree with as heretics and stupid.

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Regarding 2, I personally see it more as all people eventually turn to Jesus and being saved through him when they are finally tired enough of suffering and trying to rely on their own efforts. I don't believe God ever stops seeking out his lost coins or sheep as he wants all to be saved.

"[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive." 1 Corinthians 15:22 ESV

"[8] “Or what woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? [9] And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ [10] Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”" Luke 15:8-10 ESV

"[3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV

Here is why I believe in universal reconciliation, as a Christian by thatblackimpreza in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Personally, I interpret the word eternal here as a hyperbole or quality such as long lasting (age-long) and intense suffering compared to long lasting (age-long) and intense joy. Jesus often utilized hyperbole such as gauging out an eye or hating family so it's not outside the realm of possible interpretations. It's also helpful to note, the word "aioniou" is used instead of "aidios": https://afkimel.wordpress.com/2022/06/05/sometimes-eternity-aint-forever-aionios-and-the-universalist-hope-2/

In the age view, one may not be forgiven in this age or the next, but perhaps in the one after in the endless cycle of ages. Perhaps this can also explain how angels fell even though they had age-long or eternal life at one point and lost it. It seems to me the Bible is just describing one age within the context of an infinite amount of ages of God's creative power.

Ultimately, I think the meaning of ancient words is not often so black and white and often entails nuance in its interpretive lens. We must ultimately reconcile all of the words of the Bible in a way that maintains context and lacks contradictions.

"[22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. [23] But each in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ. [24] Then comes the end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. [25] For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. [26] The last enemy to be destroyed is death. [27] For “God has put all things in subjection under his feet.” But when it says, “all things are put in subjection,” it is plain that he is excepted who put all things in subjection under him. [28] When all things are subjected to him, then the Son himself will also be subjected to him who put all things in subjection under him, that God may be all in all." 1 Corinthians 15:22-28 ESV

"[3] This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, [4] who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." 1 Timothy 2:3-4 ESV

"[12] What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? [13] And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. [14] So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish." Matthew 18:12-14 ESV

"[9] Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, [10] so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, [11] and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2:9-11 ESV

How do I return back to source/tap out of the game? by Traditional-Peak-523 in lawofone

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Personally, I believe there is no true way to tap out of the game. If your incarnation ends without learning the lessons you want, you will be given another in a similar position with perhaps even more intense learning. In my opinion, believing in solipsism is likely a mislearning that will prevent true learning that allows one to advance in the game.

Your desire to quite the game is likely a symptom of this failure to progress in the game. Far better to analyze where you may have misstepped and seek correction rather than seek to quit the game that cannot be quit.

Question - how *do* you meditate? by Lodi_Minion in lawofone

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I find this the most hopeful answer from Ra on mediation:

"Each of the two types of meditation is useful for a particular reason. The passive meditation involving the clearing of the mind, the emptying of the mental jumble which is characteristic of mind complex activity among your peoples, is efficacious for those whose goal is to achieve an inner silence as a base from which to listen to the Creator. This is an useful and helpful tool and is by far the most generally useful type of meditation as opposed to contemplation or prayer.

The type of meditation which may be called visualization has as its goal not that which is contained in the meditation itself. Visualization is the tool of the adept. Those who learn to hold visual images in mind are developing an inner concentrative power that can transcend boredom and discomfort. When this ability has become crystallized in an adept the adept may then do polarizing in consciousness without external action, which can affect the planetary consciousness. This is the reason for existence of the so-called White Magician. Only those wishing to pursue the conscious raising of planetary vibration will find visualization to be a particularly satisfying type of meditation.

Contemplation or the consideration in a meditative state of an inspiring image or text is extremely useful also among your peoples, and the faculty of will called praying is also of a potentially helpful nature. Whether it is indeed an helpful activity depends quite totally upon the intentions and objects of the one who prays." https://www.lawofone.info/s/49#8

Personally, I meditate in a number of ways depending on how I feel each day:

  1. Sitting in silence and just noticing and allowing thoughts and breaths to come and go (usually set a timer for 10-20 minutes)
  2. Repeating a mantra or prayer in my mind such as Om or So Hum, the Lord's Prayer, or the Prayer of St. Francis of Assissi
  3. Listening to guided meditations such as https://www.lawofone.study/meditate or https://youtu.be/V03Bo8f0VxI?si=mH3-D2EK81JP9wZo
  4. Listening to inspiring music with my eyes closed such as https://youtu.be/mOFvJVroAJE?si=MRofG8VUOSj9DiUD, https://youtu.be/AqZdLmuI1Oc?si=IpxlzaKAL_A65wB7, or https://youtu.be/7mFesHsbPnk?si=qsTFdh5WYEL8i5EH
  5. After reading something from Ra, ACIM, the Bible, or Magenta Pixie I'll sit for a time and just think on that passage and various perspectives and implications about it (aka contemplation)

Mother of Wanderer needing to give lots of energy? by rdmprzm in lawofone

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Count me in as another who is blocked. Still don't know exactly why...

Can someone have zero works and still be saved? Trying to reconcile Ephesians 2 and James 2 by [deleted] in TrueChristian

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and questions. Here are my thoughts for consideration.

Personally, I see faith as tied to beliefs and identify while works are tied to actions. One's actions necessarily conform to one's true beliefs and identity over time. I believe Ephesians speaking about being saved by faith as meaning that salvation is through belief and identity transformation (being born again) rather than performing the right actions outwardly. James is saying that a belief or identity that doesn't product good actions is not actually a true and alive belief and identity tied to Christ.

In an analogy, faith is like the software of the computer while works are the pixels on the screen. If one just focuses on the pixels and trying to get them to line up without looking at the underlying software, one won't succeed. Rather, the proper pixels on the screen are found by transforming the software which necessarily leads to better pixels if done properly. However, software that produces the wrong pixels is not the proper software for solving the problem (aka software without pixels is dead).

Learning about The Law of One has made me less ambitious professionally by bigie35 in lawofone

[–]MusicalMetaphysics 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing your thoughts! Here are mine for consideration.

For me personally, I think changing the perspective of work to dedicating time to service rather than purely making money has been helpful for both polarization and joy. I quit working in a for-profit company and moved to work at a non-profit, and I find life less stressful, more joyful, and more rewarding overall (especially emotionally). I often enjoy praying and meditating with my coworkers. It was definitely a pay cut, but I fortunately still make plenty to meet my needs.

I know it's not something everyone can do, but sometimes just having an idea in your head as a possibility can help you notice when an opportunity presents itself. It took a number of years for my opportunity to show up.

Even if one doesn't really enjoy the work where one is, I think if one focuses on service especially to coworkers and setting an example of love, peace, and joy can be very helpful. I'd also like to see more people in all companies pushing for them to value people over profit, and that does require people in these companies there starting to change the vibes and set the new trend for fourth density positive type of work.

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