Lesson 5 -- The Way to Life

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TO ATTAIN to the goods of this world, people lie, cheat and commit murder. And for a time, many appear to succeed despite their evil deeds. The righteous are no match for the children of this world where earthly pursuits are concerned. And the ignorant continue to be bewildered, not realizing the worthlessness of earthly treasures in comparison with the true riches in heaven.

02 But there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed; and hid, that shall not be known (1). There shall come a day of reckoning. And the righteous shall stand justified before the eyes of God.

03 Still, it doesn’t really matter that we have sinned or that we have transgressed divine laws because everyone sins and continues to sin, no one being perfect. What is important is that we come to realize our mistakes and sincerely desire to change for the better. Everyone, no matter how grievous his errors, has the means to extricate himself out of his predicament. No one is forever committed to hell provided he repents (2).

04 We must repent or suffer the consequences (3). Many people feel that the tragedies in their life are not of their own making. But nothing happens to us that is not the result of our own doing. We are only reaping the effects of all that we have sown. Nothing comes about by accident. Instead, all that we are now and are experiencing now are the direct results of all that we have done in the past. And our tomorrow will depend entirely on the things that we do, today. What is not generally known, however, is that we have existed before we were born into this world and we will continue to live after the transition called death (4). And this is what many cannot, as yet, understand and so the truth continues to elude them. But no one can escape the consequences of his actions. We all must repent and sin no more lest a worse fate befall us (5).

05 We need only to take a step towards God, our Father, and He will welcome us with open arms provided we are truly repentant. And God will forgive us and all can be well again. The way is always open to everyone who has come to realize his mistakes and is willing to atone for those mistakes (6).

06 However, it is against the laws of justice and fairness for any person who has caused injury to others to escape his responsibility by simply acknowledging his mistake. All losses must be restored and the debt repaid in full. Justice demands no less (7).

07 These are the crosses we must bear. And we can blame no one but ourselves. These sufferings in life that are our lot may seem quite meaningless to most people. But through these painful experiences, we are able to repay in part for our transgressions. And at the same time, we are able to undergo the very experiences that will enable us to learn the lessons that we need in order to progress.

08 We must take up our cross daily and push forward no matter what the cost, and no matter even if we should lose our earthly life. He who loves the things of this world will surely die; but he who continues to walk in the path of righteousness even at the expense of all such worldly considerations will be able to attain to the true life in heaven. And one measly earth life can never compare to the glory of eternal life.

09 Very few are able to accept these truths. But those few who have obtained insights into the spirit reality find it easier and to their best interest to forego their enjoyment of the pleasures of this life in anticipation of the real treasures waiting for them in heaven (8).

10 These fortunate ones willingly do all they possibly can to effect restitution for their transgressions. They repay all their debts cheerfully and are quick to help out wherever and whenever they can. And no matter the gravity of their sins, because of the innate goodness in their hearts, their sins are forgiven them (9).

11 The Way to God is never easy. The road is strewn with thorns. The journey, extremely difficult. The path, narrow and hard to traverse. And very few are able to find it (10).

12 We need to be fully aware of our true spiritual objectives. And we must always bear them in mind. We cannot pursue both the things of God and the things of the world at the same time in like manner that we cannot manage to stay on top of two horses pulling away from each other and going in opposite directions. We cannot serve both God and money.

13 Nevertheless, while we are still upon this earth, we must be realistic. We have certain material needs. These needs must not be left unattended, but we should not over-emphasize the importance of these needs to the detriment of our spiritual endeavors. Rather, we should find a reasonable balance between them that will enable us to pursue our spiritual goals in the most effective manner and without undue waste of time and effort (11).

14 Let us not labor for the things of this world which can last only for a brief lifetime but, rather, let us work for those spiritual things that will endure for all eternity (12).

15 While we have been given eternal life, God has decreed that we must work in order to earn for ourselves almost everything else. Certainly, God will help and do for us what we cannot do for ourselves. But He will leave us to do for ourselves all that we are capable of doing. The ancients said it all along: "God helps those who help themselves but God will not help those who will not help themselves."

16 And the way to best help ourselves is through our helping and serving others. Wherever we may be, however humble our worldly status, no matter what field of endeavor we may be engaged in, we all have an opportunity to be of service to our fellowmen.

17 Where the home is concerned, the father can provide for the family’s material needs and see to the moral upbringing of the whole family. The mother can tend to the needs of her mate and her children. And the children should study and prepare now for future service. In the office, everyone should see to his assigned duties, faithfully, and to the best of his abilities. At work or at play, a kind word and a friendly smile can help a lot. In times of trouble, sympathy and understanding are much needed; these, too, comprise service.

18 The employer should pay just wages, while the employee should render honest work. The executive should further improve his managerial expertise, while the laborer should always be ready to lend a hand. The blind, the handicapped and the aged can help and console one another. The ignorant provide the opportunities whereby the learned may be able to share of their knowledge. And the poor provide the wealthy with the means to serve by giving of their wealth.

19 Those in government service should put the interest of the public over and above their own. Those in business should see to the effective and efficient production and distribution of goods in an earnest desire to be of service to their community; and where possible, they should also contribute what they can to the public welfare. Those into social service should never cease to study the ways whereby they may be able to render greater service to those in need.

20 To everyone, we can give of ourselves. But we need only give of what we have. And in so doing, we will have done well (13). And through our efforts, however modest, we should be able to help others find their own way to God (14).

21 The physical body is sustained by the food we eat and without food, the body will die. However, the spirit indwelling the body has its own needs. The spirit self draws sustenance from doing God’s will and finishing the work that God has given it to do (15). God has given to everyone his own work. It is for each of us to determine for ourselves the nature of this work.

22 In furtherance of the work given to him, Christ gave separate instructions to his disciples to guide them (16, 17). In the world, so-called public servants rule over the people and exercise their authority over them. But in the Kingdom of God, the situation is altogether entirely different. Therefore, those who desire to become great in the Kingdom shall minister to the needs of their brothers. And the greatest among them shall be the servant of all (18).

23 To Christ is given the task of bringing God’s divine love and instruction to all the people in the world. There is so much work to be done and the workers are so few. Many more men and women are needed to help carry on this work of Christ (19).

24 The work is many and varied. There are all the different churches of all faiths, the evangelical groups, the healing missions, the charitable organizations, the social workers, the missionaries and those in the areas of research and education. All who have committed themselves to any of these varied aspects of the work are in the service of God and are co-workers with Christ.

25 In the field of spiritual education alone, there is a great need for all classes of people. We need teachers and counselors to plant the seed of truth and help nurture it. We need students who should undergo special training in the present in order that they may be able to impart what they have learned to others in the future.

26 There is a demand for authors to write books and, necessarily, publishers and printers need to share in this work. Other forms of communication, including radio, television and the Internet, would require the employment of other highly specialized skills and talents. Music also is a very potent force and has to be availed of. In order to reach more people, even those in the entertainment world may be tapped as well.

27 We need managers to oversee the effective execution of the work. We need businessmen to help in providing adequate logistical support to the work. We need lawyers to handle all the legal aspects and accountants and controllers to guarantee the effective utilization of all resources. Various other kinds of workers from the researchers and promotions people to the clerks and typists could render essential support services. There would also be some need for land, vehicles and various office and communication equipment that would inevitably become necessary as the work continues.

28 And since the organizations concerned would not be engaged in business for profit, their continued operation will be largely dependent on the financial support of their sympathizers and friends.

29 All these are needed if we are to heed the call of Christ to feed his sheep, to help provide spiritual guidance to men in the world (20). But make no mistake; we are also doing these things for ourselves. Even in the world, workers are only given wages commensurate to the work that they do. If a worker desires to get promoted to a higher position, first, he has to prove himself worthy of such a promotion. It is the same where the things of heaven are concerned. If we desire for spiritual advancement, we must serve. And we must serve much more than we are actually compensated for. Only then can we have treasure in heaven. Only then can we rise above the level of this world (21).

30 God has given each of us certain duties to perform. And what these duties are, we alone have the right to determine for ourselves. Everyone must search deep within himself to find his answer. To each his own work and every worker will have his own reward. Each one can do so much. Everyone then is expected to give his share (22).

31 But we must be steadfast in our determination to heed God’s call. He who hesitates and allows himself to be distracted by worldly preoccupations is not yet ready to undertake God’s work (23). Wherever feasible and practical, we should gradually withdraw ourselves from active involvement in the affairs of this world in order that we may become free to attend fully to our higher duties towards God and do the work we are called to do (24, 25).

32 However, it is only proper for each of us to study this matter very carefully. We must weigh all the consequences of our decision. It would not be wise for us to commit more than we can expect to deliver. To many of us, there is still so much that we need to do first before we can turn our backs on the things of this world and give preference to the things of heaven. Still, everyone can contribute what little he can to the work and he will be rewarded accordingly (26).

33 One of the important considerations that deter prospective workers with an earnest desire to enter into God’s service is the mistaken notion that those in His service are doomed to suffer a life of abject misery and poverty. This need not be so. This should not be.

34 Inasmuch as they have committed themselves to guide others to the Path as their special service to all of mankind, they are entitled to be compensated justly for their service. "A laborer is worthy of his hire." Still, every worker must make certain that his motives are what they should be. He should work to serve God and not serve in order to gain material advantages.

35 Moreover, every skilled worker must be free to attend to the needs of his craft. In order for him to be proficient at his work, he must study and train incessantly. To these highly motivated workers in Christ, to work for a normal living, as is the way of the world, would be a waste of precious time and effort that could be utilized for much greater purposes. It is only fitting and proper, therefore, that whereas these workers render valuable spiritual services to others, then, the latter should, in their turn, help them with their material needs (27).

36 Among the many who are called, only a few will be able to respond positively. And to these few, the Way will be especially difficult. But they will not be alone. For God will be with them.

37 The Way to the true life is clear. It is through love and service to our fellowmen. And as we continue along this Path, we will inevitably arrive at a greater understanding of these divine principles. And more, we shall know the Truth and the Truth shall make us free (28).