Unity Metaphysics: 02 The Divine Paradox

2A PRINCIPLE/PERSONAL:

"We shall realize that Being is not only principle so far as its inherent and undeviating laws are concerned, but also personal so far as its relation to each one of us is concerned; that we as individuals do actually become the focus of universal Spirit, of the all-pervading and all-wise Logos, and that through us the universe is formed." (Teach Us To Pray 169)

"God is personal to us when we recognize Him within us as our indwelling life, intelligence, love, and power. There is a difference between a personal God and God personal to us. Since the word personal sometimes leads to misunderstanding, it would probably be better to speak of God individualized in man rather than of God personal to man." (The Revealing Word, God 83)

A Paradox is an assertion that seems contradictory or opposed to common sense but is nevertheless true. Paradox is not contradiction nor inconsistency. Paradox is part of the wholeness of God's creation, and we can easily adjust to paradox as well as we adjust to facts. God may be realized as unfailing Principle, and God may be experienced as a warm and loving Presence. This is one example of the divine paradox.

2B IMMANENT/TRANSCENDENT:

"God immanent-This refers to the all-pervading and indwelling presence of God, the life and intelligence permeating the universe. Jesus revealed that the Father is within man, forever resident in the invisible side of man's nature." (The Revealing Word, God, 85)

"Transcendent God-God above or beyond His universe, apart from it. God is more than His universe; He is prior to and is exalted above it, but at once He is in His universe as the very essence of it. God is both transcendent and immanent." (The Revealing Word, Transcendent God, 196)

Omnipresence has to be immanent/transcendent. That is the very meaning of the word. Jesus did say, "The kingdom of God is within you," and many persons jump to the conclusion that Jesus meant that the kingdom of God is ONLY within them. This view tends to overlook the transcendency of God. Only God can be the immanent/transcendent presence. A very important statement is contained within Mr. Fillmore's paragraph from The Revealing Word: "GOD IS MORE THAN HIS UNIVERSE."

2C FATHER/MOTHER:

"In Scripture the primal ideas in the Mind of Being are called the 'sons of God.' That the masculine 'son' is intended to include both masculine and feminine is borne out by the context, and, in fact, the whole history of the race. Being itself must be masculine and feminine, in order to make man in its image and likeness, 'male and female’.” (The Twelve Powers of Man 52)

"Just as God has been from the beginning so Spirit substance has been from the beginning. This substance is in fact the Mother side of God, the feminine element in God's nature. It is the universal medium in which we plant all ideas of supply and support. Just as the earth is the universal matrix in which all vegetation develops, so this invisible Spirit substance is the universal matrix in which ideas of prosperity germinate and grow and bring forth according to our faith and trust." (Teach Us To Pray 39)

"God's love sees you always well, happy, and abundantly provided for; but God's wisdom demands that order and right relation exist in your mind before it may become manifest in your affairs as abundance. His love would give you your every desire, but His wisdom ordains that you forgive your debtors before your debts are forgiven." (Charles Fillmore Prosperity 122)

The term Father/Mother God is often used in Unity. It is based on very ancient theological insights and metaphysical symbols which had their origin prehistorically. Masculine and feminine are terms which need to be viewed on a level of meaning higher than physical body gender or personality traits. In metaphysical terminology, the masculine principle is the active, energy-generating power. The feminine principle is the more passive aspect—the matrix from which energy can be generated. Both are necessary for existence, for manifestation, and for human evolution. God is the divine Source of the masculine/feminine principles. We relate to that Source, hence we have the beautiful concept of Father/Mother God.

2D LAW/GRACE:

"Law, Divine—Divine law is the orderly working out of the principles of Being, or the divine ideals, into expression and manifestation throughout creation. Man, by keeping the law of right thought, works in perfect harmony with divine law, and thus paves his way into spiritual consciousness. Divine law cannot be broken. It holds man responsible for the result of his labors." (The Revealing Word, Law-Divine, p.118)

"The plane of activity for life and strength at a certain stage of man's development is the physical, material plane. Duringthis stage God in His grace grants to man, when his motive is pure, a degree of immunity from the effects of his ignorant transgression of the divine law." (Mysteries of Genesis 138)

"Grace means good will, favor, disposition to show mercy. Therefore, we do not hold ourselves as bond servants of the law, but as recipients of the grace of God, as sons of the Most High. The grace of God extends to all people, not alone to one sect or creed. All men are equal in favor with God." (Keep a True Lent 168)

"'Grace and truth came through Jesus Christ' (John 1:17); that is, the real saving, redeeming, transforming power came to man through the work that Jesus did in establishing for the race a new and higher consciousness in the earth. We can enter into this consciousness by faith in Him and by means of the inner spirit of the law that He taught and practiced." (The Revealing Word, Grace, p.89)

Jesus taught a new understanding of divine law. He acknowledged mechanical cause and effect, but he knew it was possible to "fulfill the law" by transcending its strictly mechanical repetition. This can be done only by certain changes of consciousness. One of these changes is to let go of the insistence of "even-exchanges" in life all the time. Another change is to be willing to forgive sin instead of insisting on punishment for sin. Grace is the name given to the aspect of divine law which does not deal in "even-exchanging," but in the increase of good through greater giving.

Transcribed by Sheri Owen on August 4, 2015.