Series 2 - Lesson 4 - Annotation 17
How does man demonstrate the mastery and dominion which are his as mentioned in Genesis 1:26?
17. Mastery and dominion are part of man's divine inheritance as a son of God, belonging to him as the image-likeness of God. Mastery and dominion are exercised as we lay hold of the power of God. "Ye shall receive power, when the Holy Spirit has come upon you" (Acts 1:8).
Dominion over the earth is not something that is to be acquired through physical evolution. Man is created with dominion over the earth and told to subdue it. Man's "earth" is primarily the human consciousness wherein he has established beliefs in "good" and "not good." Man is to accept his dominion through knowing that he is God's representative on earth, the very image of God. Then he must claim his divine mastery by taking control of his own consciousness, and showing forth the likeness of God.
Jesus said, "But when the Son of man shall come in his glory, and all the angels with him, then shall he sit on the throne of his glory ... he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but the goats on the left" (Matt. 25:31,33). Every human being has within his consciousness the "sheep" and the "goats" which represent two types of thoughts. The thoughts, desires, and feelings that are on the positive, spiritual side are the "sheep," while the stubborn, selfish, resistant, fearful, anxious, and greedy thoughts, feelings, and desires are the "goats." These latter are to be denied or crossed out of the human consciousness where they are causing friction. When man becomes master over his own thinking and feeling, he comes into the glory of the Father.
We learn to demonstrate mastery and dominion when we are able to discern between the earth (consciousness) and the world (appearances), and consciously separate the "sheep" and the "goats" within ourself by our spoken word of authority. We learn to deny the "not good" and affirm the "good," thus freeing ourself from belief in the reality of evil and its power over us.
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Preceding Entry: How may all thought be brought into harmony with divine law?
Following Entry: What place has order in Divine Mind and in man's consciousness?
