The Great Fundamentals, III
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so unto them. . . .”
Matt. 7:12.
“And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.”
Luke 6:31.
THERE, BRIEFLY, is the absolute Law which should govern the relationship between human beings. It is so simply stated that even a child should be able to understand the meaning and not err in its application to every day affairs; to all the affairs of life.
This Law is all-inclusive. It states in vivid and inescapable clearness, "ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER YE DO." It is both readily comprehensible and immediately applicable. Whatso-ever I seek to accomplish, or seek to do, if others than myself are concerned, I need only ask myself the question: Would I desire that any other should do to me that which I am about to do or engage in?
The answer will be equally clear and unmistakable. It goes without saying that I would not wish another do anything that would be against my welfare, or prejudicial to my interests in any respect.
This fundamental Law is associated with another Law of equal importance to one who truly seeks to be an INDIVIDUAL prepared to stand before a just God. This is the familiar "As ye sow, so shall ye reap." (The Law of Compensation).
Every act, every deed, that a person commits, every effort made, is actually a sowing and will have its direct REaction both upon the doer or "sower" and all others concerned. It is a REaction that CANNOT be evaded by any means whatever, irrespective of one's belief, one way or another.
There is also another fundamental Law involved in this command: "Do unto others, as ye would that they should do unto you." This is the Law of honesty, so seldom given a thought, yet so vital to our welfare:
"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are TRUE, whatsoever things are HONEST, whatsoever things are JUST, whatsoever things are PURE, whatsoever things are LOVELY, whatsoever things are of GOOD REPORT; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things."-Phil. 4:8.
THIS IS A COMPLETE DECALOGUE in itself; Simple, straight-forward, readily understandable. All of the "virtues" or "beatitudes" mentioned are a part of honesty; a requisite under the Law, and a necessity in the fulfillment of "doing unto others."
This Law of "doing unto others" is a direct command - no less. From it we learn what we should do to and for others, and that we can best promote our own best interests when we work in harmony with the Law. Its associate statement is positive in warning us WHAT WILL BE the result if we fail to comply with the Law. In any event, WE SHALL, UNFAILINGLY, REAP - BE REPAID - OR HAVE RETURNED TO US - that which we have "sown" when we failed in "doing unto others as we would have them do unto us."
This command is an absolute Law. It cannot be set aside; cannot be evaded by any means whatever. It functions impartially and will continue to function whether we refuse to believe or, believing, refuse to obey.
This Law, like all Laws, is dual in its nature. Its duality is of supreme importance and must not for a moment be slighted or ignored. On the one hand it demands that we refrain from doing anything whatever that will work to the detriment or injury of another. On the other hand, it decrees that in all the affairs of life - whether in relation to business, society or politics - we must refuse to allow anyone to usurp our rights and privileges, or take undue advantage o f us.
This is the Law of proper and equitable exchange - the Law of "doing unto others as you would that they do unto you" - the Law of justice.
Obedience to this second phase of the Law is not to be in the spirit of ill-feeling, suspicion or abnormal self-guarding, but, rather, in the spirit of a wise, loving parent who watches over their children, seeing to it that they commit no acts that would REact to their disadvantage in any respect whatever.
Facing facts squarely and honestly, how many of the millions who in all sincerity read the Bible, or attend religious services, have ever given real thought to the command DO UNTO OTHERS - all others - friend and foe alike - AS THEY WOULD HAVE OTHERS DO UNTO THEM?
Of all who have read or heard this Law, so simply stated, how many have even for one day, aye, one hour, made a whole-hearted effort to actually fulfill, or live within its decree?
How MANY OF ALL who profess to be Christians, and who staunchly claim to accept the Bible as their Book of Life and Salvation, continually and consistently bewail their own circumstances, position in life, failures and sorrows and not only blame, but DAMN others as the cause of their worldly ills, though they, ALONE, are at fault?
How many of these who set themselves up in judgment over the acts o f others, have themselves honestly and sincerely tried, even for a day, to obey this Law, which is one of God's greatest commands? How many recognize that obedience to this Law is an absolute necessity if they are to become the "wheat" and thereby achieve their Soul's salvation?
If humanity obeyed this Law, then St. John's, the Revelator's, heaven would be established on earth and Brotherhood would prevail. All the evils, the miseries and sorrows that beset mankind would be a thing of the past. So long as people disobey by ignoring this Law, then - despite any faith they may have, any prayers they may voice - however sincere they may be - they will continue in sorrow, suffering, misery and failure as a penalty for their disobedience.
As it has been throughout uncounted centuries, so will it continue to be until all individuals not only "think on these things," but awaken within themselves a desire sufficiently strong to impel them to live a more noble, honest, useful life, proving their sincerity by obedience to this Law.
The Law is crystal clear; the path equally so; straightfor-ward; the effort simple, but difficult. Attainment begins with self-control, self-effort, self-denial, self-cleansing from all that is unworthy and temporal. Such is the price of achievement; "the peace that passeth understanding," the success that can know no failure.
Each person should devote at least one hour of their daily life to a study and analysis of what he or she may become, realizing that life on earth can be - and will be - a paradise, when people are truly HONEST IN THEIR PROFESSION OF FAITH, and obey the Law. Not only does the Church of Illumination strongly advocate this, but by its inculcations indicates clearly the means and the method to be followed, in seeking to become the Biblical BRETHREN OF THE LIGHT, members of the New Order o f the Ages, of the Outer Court of the Church of Illumination or members of the Inner Circle of the Great Work.
The Great Fundamentals, III