Theos-Talk Archives (October 2005 Message tt00016)

10/3/2005 4:45 AM

Gerry:

I've been looking for an explicit statement or quote as to Christ saying
this about "Grace." 

Do you have a satisfactory one or is it a priestly interpolation or
translation alteration?

The language of Jesus implies not only rebellion but defiance of the Mosaic
"Lord God."  

"Ye have heard," he tells us, "that it hath been said, an eye for an eye,
and a tooth for a tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but
whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also.
Ye have heard that it hath been said [by the same "Lord God" on Sinai]:
Thou shalt love thy neighbor, and hate thine enemy. But I say unto you;
Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matthew
v.)."

Nothing about "grace ?"

Still puzzled and "maya" does not un-puzzle me mind.

Dallas
 
==================================

-----Original Message-----
From: Gerald 
Sent: Sunday, October 02, 2005 5:09 PM
To: 
Subject: RE: GRACE



DTB	GRACE
A few words of introduction:

The dictionary shows the many facets of meaning exposed by the word
"Grace" 

It has however a deep philosophical and metaphysical significance 
starting with the first "Spiritual" radiance that precedes manifestation. 

It is therefore present in all manifested beings " the monads know it
well, as it is of their essence. 

-------------------------------------
  
GS	According to Mosaic law, when someone did something wrong, they
were supposed to pay for it. Moses desribes this law as "an eye for an eye
and
a tooth for a tooth." 

We see this same law being ineterpreted in some occult circles as karma.
Some would say that karma is a law that demands an effect for every cause
and a cause for every effect. 

OK, but then along came Jesus who taught Grace. He said that we can get rid
of our bad deeds, have them forgiven or expunged, by what is called God's
Grace. God's Grace is part of His eternal forgiveness which in turn comes
from the idea that He is love. So while the followers of Moses believe in
an eye for an eye, the followers of Jesus believe that evil can be forgiven
and that such a thing as atonement is possible if we are truly repentant.

I see these same two principles, the same two beliefs, in Theosophy and
occultism. In the old days, there are those who believed that karma demands
justice, demands an eye for an eye. But then along came Buddha who taught
the doctrine of Liberation, that karma can be expunged or eliminated
through Liberation. 

Now, whether we call it Grace or Liberation, the teaching here is that our
past bad deeds can be forgiven, our karma can be eliminated, we can achive
at-one-ment, and that this can happen in a single second. All that it takes
is forgiveness, an honest forgiveness that is accompanied by purification
and repentance.

Now, how can such a thing as Grace exist? It does so because (1) samsara
and nirvana are mayavic illusions, (2) nothing in manifestation is
permanent, and (3) we are only bound by karma for as long as we believe in
a self that deserves rewards and punishments.

Jerry S.