Circle of Christhood

"Obedience"

Aloha!  Young Friends:

Do you recall our last lesson in which was emphasized the fact that it was your responsibility to be the emissaries to carry God's love and peace wherever you may go?  I wonder if you memorized the Master's loving words. 

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you"

and if you are remembering them as  you go about your daily activities? If so, you are obeying the two greatest Commandments- to love the Lord with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and will all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself; and you are being a good Child of God.  By the way, these same two Commandments appear in the Old Testament as well as in the New Testament.  If you will take your Bible and turn to the 20th chapter of Exodus, you will find the first and greatest Commandment stated in somewhat different words but having the same meaning: "Thou shalt have no other gods before me."  And in the 19th chapter of Leviticus, you will find "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself."  Why not look up these passages right now?

Just as these Commandments are teachings of the Hebrew faith as well as the Christian, they are also the teachings of faiths the world over.  Someday, perhaps we will take a journey into some of the other Bibles of the world where we will find that love for God and love for our neighbor is a teaching older than time, and one that has been embraced by all other religions and by all other peoples. When we understand this, it makes it much simpler and easier to love our neighbor.  We must realize, of course, that the term "neighbor" does not necessarily mean the people who live next door or down the street. It is more far-reaching than that.  Our neighbor is every person or animal or thing that lives in the world, in Asia, Africa, China, Europe, North America, South America.  Our pets are our neighbors, and even the plants growing in our gardens.

Let us now take another step on the Path of The Infinite Way.  If you looked up the Ten Commandments (and surely you recall them!) you found one which says: "Honor thy father and thy mother; that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee."  Now, we must be perfectly honest and straight forward with each other and realize that if we are to receive God's Blessings we must obey His Commandments.  There is not other way. So ask yourselves this question:  Am I honoring my father and mother? Think this over very carefully, and meanwhile let me show you how to obey this Commandment in a very simple and beautiful way.

Have you ever stopped to consider that when you apply yourself and receive good marks, both in schoolwork and in conduct, you are honoring your father and mother?  You are being a credit to them, and you are showing forth the results of their care and discipline and love. Whatever commendation you receive, they receive by reflection.  Every time you receive an honor in the way of a medal, an appointment, or even an A on your report card, remember that you did not do it all by yourself; your parents helped you to that distinction, and without their help you would never have achieved it - no more than you would have achieved it without the help of God!

In everything you do, you have three partners - God, your father, and your mother.  Without their help you cannot accomplish very much, so always be sure to acknowledge the parts they play in your experience.  The world, however, will acknowledge their help, even if you forget, because the world knows that you would have no achievement for which to be honored were it not for the love and blessings of God and the love and care and protection of your parents.  If you become known as an obedient and thoughtful son or daughter, or if you are a good or outsanding student, do not make the mistake of thinking that you receive all the glory.  God is glorified in your achievements and your parents share that glory.  All the good that the world thinks about you reflects a credit upon your parents, and so if you do nothing more than achieve good marks or a reputation for being kind and good and generous, you are honoring your father and mother, and thereby honoring God.

Now let us look at this from another angle.  Whenever you get into trouble, or do an unkind thing, or get poor grades, you are, in a measure, discrediting your father and mother.  Whenever you are inclined to neglect your studies or chores and let things slide by, or whenever you are thoughtless, disrespectful, or selfish, an unfavorable relection is cast upon their care and discipline.  So when these temptations come to you, do not think there is no one but yourself to consider. Think whether or not your would be honoring, or dishonoring, your father and mother.

There is a spiritual reason behind the Commandment to honor your father and mother.  God is your real Father-Mother, and your earthly parents are His direct deputies to who are entrusted the responsibility and privilege of representing and establishing God's care, protection, discipline, and love in your lives.  Therefore, in honoring your parents you are honoring God.  You can readily see that your obedience towards your parents, your attitude and conduct toward all people, and your application to studies and work, all go hand-in-hand; because when you remember the Commandment to honor your father and mother it will follow naturally that you will remember to love God, and that in turn, will lead you to remember to love your neighbor as yourself.

These three Commandments always go together, side by side.  They entail rather a grave responsibility for young people, but it is a responsibility that you must assume.  You do not love and honor God except as you love and honor your parents.  You do not love God except in the love you exhibit to your neighbors, whether they be everyday friends or people whom you will never meet.  Therefore, in honoring your father and mother and in loving your neighbor, you are automatically loving God.  As you ponder and meditate upon this idea you will realize that Love, Peace, Obedience, and Honor all blend together in one beautiful theme to make your lives, and the lives of others, joyous, happy and harmonious.