Welcome!

It seems that your study has engendered much wisdom deciphering the lessons Jesus taught on love and compassion for self and others. I agree that his central message was how to let go of the sense of separation from God.

I appreciate the reference from John’s third epistle which contradicts anxieties about the future. Many people including myself have a difficult time with some of the misinterpretations of the New Testament and so it is refreshing to read the Gospel of Thomas or the writings of people like Mary Baker Eddy.

Thanks for your insightful comment.

God Bless!

A beautiful quote, thanks!

Knowing the Self is the highest purpose of life, it comes in so many packages.

Peace to you my friend!

That version of the Gospel of Thomas sounds lovely. I will have to take a look at both books when I visit my favorite bookstore when next I am in the city . I like the translation of that verse that you quoted better. Here is the one from my book: “I am the light above everything. Everything came forth from me, and everything reached me.
Split wood, I am there. Lift up a rock, you will find me there.”

Its message of unity consciousness is beautifully expressed.

Thanks for sharing, God bless!

As always, your words carry much wisdom. Thanks for your input my friend!

May you come to know Self with ease!

I’ve been learning from the Christian Bible for many years with the light that “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy has thrown on it. This study has made it clear to me that Jesus expected everyone who appreciated his teachings to experience the spiritual light and exercise the spiritual power which he did. He said that the “world,” as his references to commonly-held beliefs about the nature of things is often translated, could not understand him or follow in his footsteps. However he continually emphasized that he came to save, not to destroy, at the same time that he came to divide. Selfishness, pride, envy, cruelty; illness, injuries, genetic faults, limitations of every kind, he successfully separated from those receptive to (or desperate enough to accept) his message of the kingdom within. I think that’s the only thing he wanted to upset or to take from people, their sense of being separated from God or wanting to do harm to others.
I love this from John’s third epistle, because it contradicts anxieties about the future and reassures us that Jesus expected we could achieve what he did, “Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as his is.” I think that’s what Jesus knew, and was at the heart of his teachings: we shall be like God, as pure and filled with goodness as our Source, when know God as clearly and fully as Jesus did. John continued, “And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he [God] is pure.” (Chapter 3, verses 2, 3)
All the best,
Jerry

I have, also, read the Gospel of Thomas. (I have a beautiful edition translated by Jean-Yves Leloup and with calligraphy by Frank Lalou.) Sacred writings from every culture fascinate me. Having been reared Catholic, I was a rebel for asking questions and searching, always searching, for the Truth.

What I have come to see after reading excerpts from many sacred texts, is that we are all saying the same things…only in different words.

I look forward to reading your insights. One of my favorite passages is, “Jesus said: I am the Light which illumines all men. I am the All. The All came forth from me and the All ended up in me. Split some wood, I am there. Lift a stone, you will find me there.”

In my teachings, I have often told my students that we are all connected…we are energy, energy never disappears…everything around us is part of us. When I first read this passage, it affirmed for me this simple Truth. We are One.

Blessings, my friend. Love, Linda

(BTW The Names Divine by Harold Bloom is another great book.)