In TGRABJ/1/296, Jesus tells us: “To [John] I explained my real mission and taught him the spiritual truths which I came to teach, and the only way in which mortals could receive that Love of the Father, which was necessary to make them one with the Father and enable them to partake of the divinity of the Father. Hence, only in John’s Gospel is written the one necessary requirement to a full salvation and redemption of mankind … that men must be born again in order to enter into the Kingdom of Heaven. This is the only true way by which a man can become a true child of the Father, and fitted to live in and enjoy the Father’s Kingdom to the fullest. The other disciples had more or less conception of this necessary truth, but not the full comprehension of what it involved. Peter was more possessed of this Love than were the other disciples, except John, and with it he also understood that I was the true son of my Father.”
The Prayer Perfect (TGRABJ/1/40 and following Chapter 12 in this book) also shows this difference in status as God’s children:
Our Father, in the Celestial Heaven, we recognize You as all Holy, loving and merciful, and we as Your children, are not the subservient, sinful or depraved creatures the teachers of old would have us believe. We are the greatest and most wonderful of all Your creations, and the objects of Your great Soul’s Love and tenderest care. [All of humanity are God’s beloved children irrespective of race, gender, or religious beliefs. He loves everyone equally. However, before partaking of God’s Love, they are only children by creation, not by being begotten/born.]
Your will is that we become at-one with You, and partake of the great Love bestowed upon us through Your mercy and desire that we become, in truth, Your children through Love, not through the sacrifice and death of any of Your creatures. [When we partake of God’s Love/ substance, we become His true children.]
We pray that You will open up our souls to the inflowing of Your Love, and then will come the Holy Spirit to bring into our souls Your Divine Love in great abundance, until we are transformed into the very essence of Yourself. Then will come to us such faith as will cause us to realize that we are truly Your children, and one with You in very substance, and not in image only. [As we are transformed through the Love into the Father’s essence, we receive faith (soulful knowledge) that we are truly God’s children – not just creatures.]
In a message received by Dr. David Lampron we read: “You are my disciples, and I love you so dearly. I am aware of your struggles when you have struggles, and I am aware of your happiness when you are greatly fulfilled by the blessings of our Father. For He knows all of you so intimately and loves you as the true children He wants all of His children to be; and He understands that, in order for this to take place, they must understand how to become His true children.” (Reference at the end of the book.)
God’s true children are his redeemed children – redeemed not by Jesus’ death and blood, but rather by the Divine Love imparted through the Holy Spirit. They are also converted and saved. In TGRABJ/4/184, Robert Ingersoll, a nineteenth-century US orator shares: “You will remember that I had declared to you my conversion to Christianity – I mean the true Christianity of Jesus and to the faith in the Divine Love of the Father. … I search for them [people/spirits he had taught on the earth], and when I find them I tell them of my great mistakes and try to turn their thoughts to the true way to become redeemed children of God.”
Again, in TGRABJ/2/56 we read: “The one and vital principle which is necessary to their salvation … is the New Birth: which means merely the flowing into a man’s soul and becoming a part of it, of the Divine Love of the Father. It does not come to a man because the blood of Jesus was a sacrifice, to appease the wrath and requirements of the Father, or because of any vicarious suffering of Jesus.”
The Divine Love is a gift purely by grace and it saves / redeems us from the penalties of the law of compensation: “No man can, of himself, save himself from the penalties of the law of compensation. … This law of compensation is as fixed as any of God’s laws, and cannot be avoided under any condition or circumstances, except one, and that is the redemption of a man’s soul by the Love of the Father entering into it, and making it at-one with His own, and like His in all the qualities that partake of the divine essence.”
The Bible affirms that upon accepting God’s offer of the Divine Love – rather than Jesus’ death on the cross as payment for our sins, as it also erroneously asserts – our relationship to God changes. We become “born (or begotten) of God” in the sense of possessing a part of God and His nature. We are then God’s children in the intimate sense of the word, being able to call our heavenly Father “Abba”, which is an Aramaic word that would most closely be translated as “Daddy.”
John 1:12-13 – But as many as received him [Jesus and his teachings], to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name [and follow his example of walking in God’s Love]; who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.”
1 John 5:1 – Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ [anointed by God for a special task – to bring the message and example of Divine Love – and follows Jesus’ example] is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well.
1 Peter 1:23 – … For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God [the teaching that Jesus brought about the Divine Love].
1 John 3:1-2 – How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when he appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is [in the Celestial Kingdom through soul perceptions].
Now we are children of God. How? By faith in the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Messiah, which includes doing what Jesus taught, namely praying for and receiving the Divine Love. This is both a present and future reality.
Romans 8:14-17 – … Those who are led by the Spirit of God [Divine Love] are sons [children] of God. For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear [judgment], but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit [imparting Divine Love and substance into our souls] himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory [in the Celestial Kingdom].
Galatians 4:3-7 – So also, when we were children [immature in soul development], we were in slavery under the basic principles of the world. But when the time had fully come [to reveal the truth about the re-bestowment of the Divine Love], God sent his Son [Jesus], born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons [and daughters]. Because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” So you are no longer a slave [to the law and its penalties], but a son; and since you are a son, God has made you also an heir [to the Celestial Kingdom of God].
The phrase “adoption as sons” is used in verse 5 above in some Bible versions as a translation of the Greek word uiothesia. Based on the understanding of Anastasios Kioulachoglou, this is a composite word consisting of uios – son – and thesis – placing. Uiothesia therefore means “placing as sons”. The context starting in Galatians 3 makes this clear. Galatians 3:23-4:4 speaks about children that were under a schoolmaster. Though children entitled to inherit, they were no different than, and had the place of, slaves:
Galatians 4:1-3 – What I am saying is that as long as the heir is a child, he is no different from a slave, although he owns the whole estate. He is subject to guardians and trustees until the time set by his father. So also, when we were children [Greek: nepioi, small children not able to speak – not the same as uioi, the word translated as “sons” in Galatians], we were in slavery a under the basic principles [NKJV: elements] of the world.
Verses 4-5 tell us what happened next: But when the time had fully come [time to re-bestow the Divine Love and potential for immortality], God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons [Greek uiothesia – placing as sons.]
The word “but” that starts verse 4 contrasts the two situations. Before the appointed time of the Father had come, we had the place of slaves, being enslaved to the elements of the world. We were under the law which served as schoolmasters, guardians and stewards. We were also slaves to our human weaknesses and as a result subject to the law of compensation. Then the time appointed by the Father came. God sent forth His son, Jesus to bring the truth of the Divine Love, a means to redeem those who were under the law, from having the place of slaves to the place of children.
Galatians 3:23-26 tells us the same in different words: Before this faith came [Divine Love teaching that needs to be accepted by faith], we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.
The law books, Genesis to Deuteronomy, with their symbolic stories and ceremonies pointed to Jesus Christ’s coming. Moses spoke about a prophet greater than himself. Jeremiah and Ezekiel were inspired to prophesy a new covenant and a new heart, and with them a change in people’s relationship to the law – transcending the letter of the law to the spirit of the law and beyond.
There was a time “before faith came” – before the re-bestowing of the Divine Love. Humans were in a sense slaves to the law because every infraction brought a penalty – the law of compensation was at work, and still is for those following the path of the natural love. When Jesus came – teaching and exemplifying the Divine Love and faith that is the true path to salvation by grace, not by works of the law – those on this path are no longer under the law and no longer have the place of a slave. Instead they now have the place of a true child of God. The law of commandments has been transcended by the higher law of Love.
The fact that in the above passage of Galatians (and elsewhere), the word uiothesia does not mean that God is our adoptive Father can also be attested by other Bible passages. In John 1:12-13, quoted earlier in this chapter, the word “children” is the Greek word tekna, meaning “that which is born”. This word gives prominence to the fact of birth. The children of God of verse 12 were born of God!
Again, in John 3, we find Jesus and Nicodemus, one of the Jewish teachers, speaking about a second birth.
John 3:3-8 – In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.” [the Greek says “born from above” – see also NIV margin] “How can a man be born when he is old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”
Jesus makes clear that two births are available – the physical birth that all people who have ever lived on this earth have taken part in, and another one, which is the prerequisite for entering into the kingdom of God. This is the “birth from above”, also often translated as “being born again”. This is indeed a second birth and therefore to say that we were born again is valid. The Greek equivalent of “born from above” is another expression to say “born of God who is in above”. It is this birth that makes us true children of God and gives us the right to call God our Daddy (Abba, Father).
Is the Divine Love truly the essence of our Father? In Peter’s second letter we read:
2 Peter 1:3-11 – His divine power [Divine Love] has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires. For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But if anyone does not have them, he is nearsighted and blind, and has forgotten that he has been cleansed from his past sins [justified]. Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure. For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ [the Celestial Kingdom].
We hear Peter say quite literally, that we “may participate in the divine nature” (NIV) or “be partakers of the divine nature” (KJV). We have been cleansed from past sins – the law of compensation has been transcended. But we have a part to play – we are to make every effort to grow in virtues. It is by cooperation with our heavenly Father that we grow and are transformed. And if we do our part, our success and place in the Celestial Kingdom is guaranteed. What a wonderful promise!
We learn further in Romans 8 that once a person has received the Divine Love, it can never be taken away from him:
Romans 8:37-39 – In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Paul isn’t just saying that we are loved by God (which we are). He speaks about the gift of the Divine Love in terms of personal possession. He also refers to it as a thing of substance, that merges with our soul in such a way that nothing in the present or future will be able to separate us from the Divine Love. And to underscore that the Divine Love is not a mere divine sentiment of feeling Love towards His children, but rather the real essence of the Father, Paul gives the Love of God locality: “that is in Christ Jesus”.
The Divine Love was unavailable between when the first humans rejected God’s gracious offer of this gift and Jesus’ coming to earth. At a future time, it will again be withdrawn and the opportunity for salvation and immortality in the Celestial Kingdom will end. Those who had not availed themselves of that opportunity will suffer so called “second death”, which means they will remain in the spirit world spheres and have no guarantee of immortal life.
In NTR/26, (paraphrased), we find other insights and collaborating information: Even though the privilege of obtaining the Divine Love is to be in the future withdrawn, this will not apply to those in the Celestial Spheres and those who have some of the Divine Love in their souls and are progressing towards the Celestial Heavens. The Father cannot withdraw from a soul His Love and nature once He has bestowed it, for once it is lodged in a soul, it can never be removed. That soul can seek more and more of the Father’s nature for all eternity. The Divine Love creates a special kinship with the Father as a result of the at-onement that forms between that soul and the Great Soul of God. This kinship grows ever closer through eternity as more and more of the divine nature is conveyed into the soul.
We also learn in TGRABJ/1/348 (paraphrased): When this Love enters the soul and works the transformation, it never leaves nor disassociates itself from the soul. Its character of divine essence never changes to that of the mere natural love, and where it is present, sin and error have no existence, because it is impossible for this essence to occupy the same parts of the soul at the same time as sin and error.
Divinity never gives way to that which is not divine. Man is working towards the attainment of the divine when he pursues the way provided for obtaining the divine nature. As he advances and obtains a portion of this Divine Love, no matter how small, he can never lose it.
This, however, does not mean that one may not lose the consciousness of this essence in their soul. This occurs frequently as a result of the indulgence of one’s carnal appetites and evil desires. And while this Love can never be eradicated by evil acts or wrong beliefs, the soul progress may become stagnant. It may appear as if the Love was non-existent, and sin and error may dominate the person’s life.
However, no matter how deep one’s depravation may become, a soul that has once received this divine essence cannot be lost. Its dormant condition may, however, delay its manifestation of life and immortality for a long time, and much suffering and darkness may have to be endured by the soul in such condition.
As mentioned, in partaking of the Divine Love and nature, we are becoming at one with God. In his first letter, John puts it this way:
1 John 4:13 – We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit.
In Paul’s first letter to the church in Corinth we read:
1 Corinthians 6:17 – But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit.
Before his death, Jesus told his disciples, as recorded in the gospel of John:
John 17:22-23 – I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and I have loved them even as you have loved me [mutual love and unity through the Divine Love].
The Divine Love will make us at-one with God and we become true children of God in a close bond with the Father. This is reiterated in Romans 8:16: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.” Also, Galatians 4:6: “God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, the Spirit who calls out, “Abba, Father.” Our spirit / heart / soul, through its possession of the essence of the Father, bears joint witness with the Spirit that we have become part of God and God’s children as a result of having taken on a portion of His divinity. Such is the way of our loving Father, that He seeks no atonement, but at-onement.
As we seek more of God’s Love through prayer, as we grow in the virtues listed in 2 Peter 1 and the fruit of the Spirit listed in Galatians 5, we are becoming more and more transformed into God’s likeness as we read in 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect [or, contemplate] the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”
Backtracking to Jesus’ words in John 17:22-23, the God-given glory was not a constituent part of Jesus’ soul make-up at creation or birth, but had to be acquired in the same manner as prescribed for all humans: by soulful longings for the inflowing of the Divine Love. In Revelation 3:21, we read: “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.” By saying “just as I overcame,” Jesus expresses two vital truths: firstly, he had to overcome himself; and secondly, we too can overcome as he overcame, and dwell with him in the Celestial Heavens.
Jesus has received the Divine Love to the highest degree. As a result, of all human souls, he is closest to God, and has been appointed Master over the Celestial Heavens. We are following in the footsteps of our savior and older brother, who will always have pre-eminence in the Love (Colossians 1:18). He is quoted in John 14:6 as saying: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Despite his exalted position, he is a most humble Celestial spirit, and more than happy to assist his brothers and sisters to inhabit the mansions he has prepared for them in the Celestial Kingdom (John 14:2-3).
To sum up, by being partakers of the Divine Love, we are “born of God”, partake of God’s substance, become at-one with God, and are God’s true and redeemed children here and now in a similar way that an unborn child in its mother’s womb is the child of its parents. We are being transformed into God’s likeness as we grow in grace and virtues, and will reach our full birth when our souls are fully changed into divine substance. This will qualify us to receive a place in the Celestial Kingdom of God.