ething belonging to a God who is out
of reach; as something outside themselves, and that must for ever remain
outside. Truly, the Love of God is ever beyond the reach of self, but when
the heart and mind are emptied of self then the selfless Love, the supreme
Love, the Love that is of God or Good becomes an inward and abiding
reality.
And this inward realization of holy Love is none other than the Love of
Christ that is so much talked about and so little comprehended. The Love
that not only saves the soul from sin, but lifts it also above the power of
temptation.
But how may one attain to this sublime realization? The answer which Truth
has always given, and will ever give to this question is,--"Empty thyself,
and I will fill thee." Divine Love cannot be known until self is dead, for
self is the denial of Love, and how can that which is known be also denied?
Not until the stone of self is rolled away from the sepulcher of the soul
does the immortal Christ, the pure Spirit of Love, hitherto crucified, dead
and buried, cast off the bands of ignorance, and come forth in all the
majesty of His resurrection.
You believe that the Christ of Nazareth was put to death and rose again. I
do not say you err in that belief; but if you refuse to believe that the
gentle spirit of Love is crucified daily upon the dark cross of your
selfish desires, then, I say, you err in this unbelief, and have not yet
perceived, even afar off, the Love of Christ.
You say that you have tasted of salvation in the Love of Christ. Are you
saved from your temper, your irritability, your vanity, your personal
dislikes, your judgment and condemnation of others? If not, from what are
you saved, and wherein have you realized the transforming Love of Christ?
He who has realized the Love that is divine has become a new man, and has
ceased to be swayed and dominated by the old elements of self. He is known
for his patience, his purity, his self-control, his deep charity of heart,
and his unalterable sweetness.
Divine or selfless Love is not a mere sentiment or emotion; it is a state
of knowledge which destroys the dominion of evil and the belief in evil,
and lifts the soul into the joyful realization of the supreme Good. To the
divinely wise, knowledge and Love are one and inseparable.
It is toward the complete realization of this divine Love that the whole
world is moving; it was for this purpose that the universe came into
existence, and every gr
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