AC 5732
The reason why 'commanding' means influx
is that no one in heaven is given commands or orders.
On the contrary one shares his thoughts
and the other freely acts in accordance with them.
The communication of thought,
together with a desire to see something put into effect,
is influx;
and on the part of the receiver it is perception,
which is why 'commanding' also means perception.
Furthermore those in heaven
not only think but also talk to one another --
about those things that are matters of wisdom.
Yet there is not in what they say
any trace of an order given to another;
for no one wishes to be the master
and consequently regard another as his slave.
Rather, each wishes
to minister and be of service to another.
From this one may see
what form of government exists in heaven,
the form described by the Lord in Matthew,
It shall not be so among you,
but whoever has the wish to become great among you
must be your minister,
and whoever has the wish to be first
must be your servant.
(Matthew 20:26, 27)
And in the same gospel,
He who is the greatest of you shall be your minister;
whoever exalts himself will be humbled,
and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.
(Matthew 23:11, 12)
This is how a person who has
heartfelt love of his neighbor behaves --
a person who feels
delight and bliss in doing good to others
for no selfish reason, that is,
one who has charity towards the neighbor.
Tuesday, November 15, 2022
AC 5723 - Commanding? Or Sharing?
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