Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God. …
In truth, there is only one activity; and that is God. Whatever God becomes aware of is begotten out of Itself and is very good.
- Genesis 1:31 (KJV)
- And God saw every thing that he had made, and, behold, it was very good.
- Matthew 19:17 (KJV)
- And he said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God:
Although there is, in truth, no opposite to God, we who can say I
can become aware of that which APPEARS to be evil and can EXPERIENCE that evil —which is but the creation
of what Paul calls the carnal mind.
That is why Paul admonishes us to renew
our minds. By doing so, we can begin to behold only that which is reality.
Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
The mind is a tool of awareness. I don’t, with my mind, change evil into good (as we are taught in metaphysics), but rather become aware of the good (God) that already is —and besides which there is no other (Mark 12:32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he). When my mind is renewed to behold only the activity of God, my experience will be righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost
(Romans 14:17). For it is only in the RECOGNITION of reality that we experience it.
I will heed Paul’s admonition: Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.
I must again point out that we don’t think on these things for the purpose of bringing them into being; we think on them so that we can come into the recognition of that which already is. That which appears otherwise is but a lie.
And, remember, don’t be alarmed when those lies (false beliefs) begin to surface. I must see the exposure of my false beliefs (which cause me to become aware of evil) as a necessary activity of Spirit —not an indication of my lack of spirituality (see The Temptations of Jesus
).
Now that you know the truth, you just cast down those imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bring into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ
(2Corinthians 10:5). That is what it means to renew your mind that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
Now let’s take a practical example of this. I am resting in the knowledge that there is only one activity (which is God, and which is good) when I see before my eyes my grandchild behaving in a manner which appears to be evil —and the peace and joy I was experiencing begin to depart.
First, I must understand that what I am seeing is nothing more than a belief based on fear (as are all false beliefs). If I had no fear concerning my grandchild, I could know her only as she is known and see her only as she truly is–perfect and entire, lacking nothing
(James 1:4). If I were AWARE of her true identity, that is what I would EXPERIENCE —for I am always experiencing that which I am aware of (See What Is the
).I Am
?
So I rejoice that the Spirit has led me into the wilderness of my carnal mind and exposed this fear so that I can renew my mind to that which is written.
(see The Temptations of Jesus
). I have the ability to cast down this imagination,
this high thing
that is exalting itself against the knowledge that my granddaughter is God in expression; I can bring my thoughts into the obedience of Christ
; I can know that she is the daughter of the living God,
that it is not she who is living, but Christ living in her, through her and as her (Galatians 2:20).
And when I have this awareness of her en-Christment,
that is what I experience.
This renewing of the mind does take dedication and concentration. But, like anything else, it can become a habit which functions as automatically as driving a car. In the beginning I have to consciously and deliberately practice; but after awhile I do it without even thinking about it.
If I wish to enter God’s rest which has been prepared for me (Hebrews 4:9-10), if I wish to live in that righteousness, peace and joy which characterizes the kingdom of heaven (Romans 14:7), I must cease beholding (becoming aware of) evil (or that which is in opposition to God) and begin to behold ONLY the activity of God.
For, in reality, God is the only activity.