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paralleling ASFG 1 lesson on “LOVE”
BIBLE READING: John 3:11-21
ASFG Lesson 12: Love
(pages 89 and 90)
Overview: Understanding the Depth of John 3
This chapter (John 3) is one of the most profound in the Bible — it touches not only theological truths (about God and salvation), but also the physiological (our inner human nature) and mystical (the divine spirit active within creation). Many ministers find it difficult to preach on because Jesus speaks of realities that reach beyond ordinary understanding — blending heaven, earth, and spirit in one teaching.
“We speak what We know” — The Mystical “We” (John 3:11)
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen…” — John 3:11
Cayce’s note points out that the “We” here does not mean only Jesus and His disciples — it refers to the universal, mystical Christ operating through all time and space.
This echoes Genesis 1:26:
“Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.”
Both passages reveal that the creative spirit of Christ — the divine Logos — is a collective consciousness of divine creation, always at work in humanity and the universe.
The Serpent and the Lifting Up of Christ (John 3:14–15)
“As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up…” — John 3:14–15
The serpent represents the mind — humanity’s willful, reasoning, and often self-centered nature. In the wilderness, when the Israelites were “bitten” by serpents (symbolically, by their own misdirected minds), they were told to look upon the bronze serpent to be healed (Numbers 21:9).
Similarly, Jesus says He must be “lifted up” — meaning we must elevate our consciousness beyond self-will and look to the Christ Spirit as our ideal.
By beholding Him — not just with our eyes, but with our hearts and lives — we are made whole.
The Living Belief (John 3:16)
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son…” — John 3:16
This verse is often repeated so casually that its depth is overlooked. Jesus reminds us that true belief is not passive — it must be a living, breathing, acting faith (see Matthew 7:21: “Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter…”).
Jesus gives glory to the Father — reminding us that even His own goodness comes from the Source of all Good.
Likewise, we should recognize that any love, wisdom, or goodness we express comes through God, not from ourselves alone.
The Ever-New Commandment of Love (John 13:34)
“A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another.”
Love is the eternal creative force — ever new because it continually renews the soul and restores harmony.
God loved expression itself — the power to create, to be — and granted humanity that same gift: the ability to express divinity through love.
We become most like God when we love without condition, as He does.
Light and Darkness — Condemnation and Awakening (John 3:17–21)
“For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” — John 3:17
Jesus did not come to condemn, but to reveal what already exists — the light and the shadow in every soul.
Condemnation arises not because God punishes, but because the separation from Light (Truth) already creates its own suffering.
Just as Genesis 1:3 says, “Let there be light,” that first light exposed both awareness and the possibility of ignorance.
When Jesus says (John 15:22),
“If I had not come and spoken unto them, they had not had sin,”
He means that truth makes ignorance impossible — once we have seen the Light, we cannot pretend not to know it.
Living the Law of Love — Not Just Talking About It
If Jesus Himself faced temptation, suffering, and crucifixion to overcome sin, how can we expect salvation without effort, transformation, or self-sacrifice?
Cayce warns against the complacency of “lazy Christianity” — believing that church membership or mere words of faith are enough.
Being “Christian” is not about convenience but Christ-likeness — to act, forgive, serve, and love as He did.
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only…” — James 1:22
If we claim Christ but fail to live the law of love, we risk becoming like:
The Church of Ephesus (Revelation 2:4): “You have left your first love.”
Or the Church of Laodicea (Revelation 3:15–16): “Because you are lukewarm… I will spew thee out of my mouth.”
True Christianity, Cayce says, must be active love in motion — a continual rebirth of spirit.
Summary: The Mystical Heart of Lesson 12 — Love
Christ’s “We” represents the eternal, creative Spirit of God working through all.
Belief must become action — faith that lives and breathes in daily love.
Love is the only truly new experience — it renews both giver and receiver.
Light reveals truth; we are condemned only when we refuse to see.
Christian life means living as Jesus lived — not just professing His name, but embodying His love.
Affirmation of Love and Light
“The Christ Light within me is lifted up, drawing all my thoughts, desires, and deeds into harmony with Love.
As I look upon the Living Christ, I am healed in mind, body, and spirit.
God’s Love flows through me now — patient, kind, unselfish, and renewing all it touches.”
Reflection Thought:
Affirm this daily: “I live my belief in action. I am a living witness of God’s Love.”
It transforms belief from words into vibration — from mere thought into living power.
Prayer: The Living Faith
Father of Light, Source of all Good,
I thank You for the gift of Your Son, the Christ —
not only in Jesus but alive in every heart that turns toward Love.
Lift me up, O Lord, that I may behold You,
as the serpent was lifted in the wilderness,
that my mind and will may be healed and made whole.
Teach me not to condemn, but to understand;
not merely to believe, but to live my belief.
Let my words, my hands, my heart reflect Your glory.
Where there is shadow, shine through me;
where there is doubt, let my faith act;
where there is coldness, let Your Love warm all hearts.
In the name of the Christ that lives within and above all,
Amen.
Meditation: The Inner Lifting of the Christ
Preparation:
Sit quietly. Let your breath deepen and slow.
With each inhale, imagine drawing in light from above — the love of the Father.
With each exhale, release fear, judgment, and self-will.
Let peace settle around and within you.
Visualization & Contemplation:
See before you a radiant cross of light, not of suffering, but of transformation.
Upon it shines the Christ Consciousness — the divine pattern of perfect love.
Hear within your heart the words:
“And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all unto me.” (John 12:32)
Feel your thoughts and emotions rising — being “lifted up” into calm understanding.
In the stillness, whisper inwardly:
“Let there be Light.” (Genesis 1:3)
And in your heart, see that Light expanding — dissolving old shadows, awakening compassion.
Rest in silence for a few moments. Let the Love that is God fill every cell of your being.
Conclude softly:
“Father, may Thy Love be in me, and through me, to all.”
Remain in gratitude — not for something new, but for the eternal Love that always was.
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