Divine grace is a theological term present in many religions. It has been defined as the divine influence which operates in humans to regenerate and sanctify, to inspire virtuous impulses, and to impart strength to endure trial and resist temptation; and as an individual virtue or excellence of divine origin.
-- Wikipedia
I like to think of "grace" in other than Christian, or theological, terms. What if the universe simply imparts individual virtue to those who open their minds to the possibility of it? What if "divine grace" is simply a universal force which makes each of us strive to be more than we are; more virtuous, excellent, and graceful than we might otherwise be? What if we leave theology out of the equation and just do in our lives that which is right and virtuous, simply because it is right and virtuous? We all know what right and virtuous is, so why don't we exercise it in our lives? Maybe we do. Maybe it isn't as difficult as clergy would make it seem.
Many people are turned off by religion because of religious scripture and, more to the point, the sheer volume of it. My own mother laments of her childhood and having been turned off to religion by a father who forced biblical scripture down her throat. Where in scripture does it say to do this? Where does it say to write scripture? To go to the synagogue or church? As to this latter, refer to Matthew 6:5-8.
"Grace isn't a little prayer you chant before receiving a meal. It's a way to live. The law tells me how crooked I am. Grace comes along and straightens me out."
-- Dwight Lyman Moody (1837-1899), evangelist
What we know as "Holy Scripture" began with Moses, over 1400 years before the birth of Jesus Christ. Moses is responsible for the first five of the thirty-nine books of the Old Testament, the "Jewish Bible." The Council of Nicea, in 325 A.D., and the First Council of Constantinople, in 381 A.D., decided which books of scripture should be accepted as pertinent.
St. Jerome, four centuries after the death of Christ, chose the next twenty-seven books for the New Testament" and compiled all sixty-six books into one volume for the first time, thus continuing the historical mistranslations and misinterpretations of the written word of man "inspired" by God. In 1604 A.D., the "King James Version" added an "intertestamental section" containing 14 more ancient texts.
Truth be known, there is only one source, one true "WORD" of God, written in stone, if the Old Testament is to be believed: The Ten Commandments. Yes, life is truly that simple. I don't think the supreme power in the universe ever intended life to be as difficult as "organized" religion has made it. The people were simple, so why shouldn't the commandments be simple enough for them to understand and comply with? Yes, and no. Do, and do not. Life is that simple.
"Grace can neither be bought, earned, or won by the creature. If it could be, it would cease to be grace."-- Arthur W. Pink (1866-1952, evangelical author, biblical teacher
If we accept that life is that simple, then a "state of grace" would be found in adhering to the tenets of the Ten Commandments or, for adherents of Buddhist philosophy, the "Noble Eightfold Path" of righteousness taught by Buddha some 2500 years ago, or the enhanced "Twelvefold Path." Most world religions have some simple version of these rules for righteous behavior. How complicated the interpretation of those rules become are the responsibility of the clergy involved with any "organized" religion. The moment an idea is written down, mankind will, ultimately, muck it up. It is, after all, what we're so very good at doing - thinking and screwing stuff up.
As for Christianity, some brilliant philosopher (Jesus Christ) compressed the Ten Commandments down to one "Golden Rule" which can be found in Leviticus 19:18 and Matthew 7:12, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you." Simple.
"Grace is the very opposite of merit... Grace is not only undeserved favor, but it is favor, shown to the one who has deserved the very opposite."-- Harry Ironside (1876-1951), theologian, pastor, author
So, what is this "State of Grace" we should strive for? How about just treating each other right, for a change? Treat each other with respect and honesty. Help each other to find a better path. Be tolerant of each other's peaceful and honorable belief systems. Be a light in the darkness which others can congregate around and follow the righteous example of. It starts with moral, honest, and ethical conduct. To not be perpetually offended. To always try and find the good and the beauty in everything.
I'm saddened when I see how our government leaders have strayed from this idea of righteous behavior toward each other. They have long forgotten how to treat one another. Pointing the fickle finger of blame seems to be all they can accomplish. They have no direction. They have lost mutual respect and honesty. They've lost the righteousness we expect from the elected officials we pay to lead us and, as a consequence, we seem to be following their prime example with our own lack of ethical conduct toward each other. Perhaps we need to make better choices for who we expect to accomplish the task of running our government, for who we look up to for guidance, and for whom we pay for an "honest" day's work.
A state of grace? Sometimes I wonder if it exists, and then I see the innocence in a child's eyes and I remember the truth of the unique "grace" which is gifted to each of us.
“You were born into a state of grace. It is impossible for you to leave it. You will die in a state of grace whether or not special words are spoken for you, or water or oil is poured upon your head. You share this blessing with the animals and all other living things. You cannot fall out of grace, nor can it be taken from you. You can ignore it. You can hold beliefs that blind you to its existence. You will still be graced but unable to perceive your own uniqueness and integrity, and blind also to other attributes with which you are automatically gifted.”-- Jane Roberts (1929-1984), author, poet, psychic
Before you go getting your panties in a bunch, it is essential to understand that this is just an opinion site and, as such, can be subjected to scrutiny by anyone with a differing opinion. It doesn't make either opinion any more right or wrong than the other. An opinion, presented in this context, is a way of inciting others to think and, hopefully, to form opinions of their own, if they haven't already done so. This is also why, occasionally, I will present an "opinion" just to stir an emotional pot. Where it may sound like I agree with the statements made, I'm more interested in getting others to consider an alternate viewpoint.
It is my fervent hope that we keep open and active minds when reading opinions and while engaging in peaceful and constructive discussion, in an arena of mutual respect, concerning those opinions put forth. After over twenty years with military intelligence, I have come to believe engaging each other in this manner and in this arena is the way we will learn tolerance and respect for differing beliefs, cultures, and viewpoints.
We all fall from grace, some more often than others; it is part of being human. God's test for us is what we learn from the experience, and what we do afterward.
Pastor Tony spent 22 years with United States Air Force Intelligence as a planner, analyst, briefer, instructor, and senior manager. He spent 17 years, following his service career, working with the premier, world renowned, Institutional Review Board helping to protect the rights of human subjects involved in pharmaceutical research. Ordained 1n 2013 as an "interfaith" minister, he founded the Congregation for Religious Tolerance in response to intolerance shown by Christians toward peaceful Islam. As the weapon for his war on intolerance he chose the pen, and wages his "battle" in the guise of the Congregation's official online blog, The Path, of which he is both author and editor. "The Path" offers a vehicle for commentary and guidance concerning one's own personal, spiritual, path toward peace and the final destination for us all. He currently resides in Pass Christian, Mississippi, where he volunteers as lead Chaplain and Chaplain Program Liaison, at the regional medical center.
Much agree!
ReplyDelete