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paralleling ASFG 1 lesson on “LOVE”
Conclusion
BIBLE READING: John 14:25-31, John 15:1-12
ASFG Lesson 12: Love
(pages 93 and 94)
1. The Setting: Jesus’ Final Night
On the night Jesus was betrayed, He explained to His disciples why He had come into the world. He knew the time had arrived for His mission to be completed—meaning He would soon suffer crucifixion. Before leaving them, He promised something that only those who truly seek the Father’s will can understand: the coming of the Comforter, also called the Holy Ghost or Holy Spirit (John 14:26).
Jesus wanted His followers to know that although He would leave physically, He would remain spiritually present through the Holy Spirit.
2. Spirit vs. Holy Spirit
The notes make an important distinction:
Spirit
There is only one Spirit—the life force from God.
But Spirit can appear in different manifestations depending on how humans direct or misdirect it.
When humans misuse God’s energy—through selfishness, pride, fear, or self-will—this becomes what Jesus calls “the prince of this world” (John 14:30).
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is Spirit without distortion.
It is God’s presence free from blame, fear, or selfish motives.
The Holy Spirit always brings peace, clarity, courage, and love—never fear or confusion.
In other words:
Spirit is God’s energy; Holy Spirit is that energy functioning purely as God intends.
3. The Prince of This World
When Jesus says “the prince of this world comes and has nothing in Me” (John 14:30), He means:
The distorted use of spiritual energy—selfishness, ego, fear—could not find any place in Him.
He lived fully in Christ Consciousness—the state in which divine love flows through a person without obstruction.
The notes say that if we can honestly say the same—that selfish influences find “nothing in us”—then we too live in the Christ Consciousness.
4. How People Misuse Spirit
The “prince of this world” shows up when people:
Exalt their own importance
Rely on personal power without acknowledging God
Seek self-gratification instead of God’s purpose
This is Spirit misdirected by ego, fear, or pride.
5. Jesus’ Example Is Simple—but Hard
Jesus showed God’s power in a simple, humble way:
forgiving,
serving,
turning the other cheek,
refusing to retaliate.
These are not complicated teachings—but they are difficult because the human tendency (“the worldly spirit”) urges us to defend ourselves, strike back, or pursue personal advantage.
The notes say: It only becomes easy when we meditate, seek inner guidance, and practice love. Then the teachings become real experiences, not just words.
6. Transition to John 15:1–12: The Walk to the Garden
The scriptures say: after speaking at the table Jesus said, “Arise, let us go hence” (John 14:31).
John 15 begins as they walk toward the Garden of Gethsemane.
Tradition says Jesus and the disciples may have sung Psalm 91, and Jesus remained calm—laughing, talking, playing his harp—showing inner peace even in the face of death.
7. Jesus’ Last Prayer
In His final prayer (John 17), Jesus asks not that His followers be removed from the world, but that they be given the strength to overcome it.
He wants them to be protected from the distorted spirit—the “prince of this world”—not from life itself.
8. “Ye are clean”—What Jesus Meant
When Jesus says, “You are clean” (John 15:3), He does not mean the disciples would never fail.
Soon after:
Peter cuts off a soldier’s ear,
Jesus corrects him and heals the man.
“Clean” means:
Their hearts were free from deliberate, willful wrongdoing.
They were committed to God even though they were imperfect.
9. “Lead Us Not into Temptation”
The notes explain that this phrase is better understood as:
“Give us strength to resist doing what we know is wrong.”
Don’t let us fall into choices we already know are harmful.
Forgiveness is real—but intentionally taking advantage of God’s mercy is spiritually dangerous because we reap what we sow.
10. Hardships Are Signs of God’s Love
Pain, disappointments, and failures are not signs of God abandoning us.
Rather, they are opportunities for growth and correction—evidence of God’s law of love working to guide us back.
Like Hebrews 12:6: “Whom the Lord loves, He chastens.”
Only those willing to endure hardship for a higher purpose can truly overcome the “prince of this world”—their own selfish impulses.
These are the ones who:
smile through tears,
keep faith under pressure,
continue serving God and others.
That is how we learn God.
11. Finding God’s Will Within
Through self-examination and sincere study, we can discern what God wants us to do in most situations. Divine guidance arises from within.
12. Willingness to Sacrifice
We must be prepared, if needed, to:
walk through the fire like Daniel,
endure suffering like Job,
or give ourselves completely like Jesus.
Not for ego, but for God’s purpose.
This is the state in which love is fully expressed—and love is the fulfillment of God’s law (Romans 13:10).
Connection to John 15:1–12: The Vine and the Branches
Jesus tells His disciples:
He is the vine,
we are the branches,
and we bear fruit only by remaining connected to Him.
The “fruit” is love:
“This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.” (John 15:12)
To “abide in Christ” is to:
let the Holy Spirit guide our motives,
purify selfish impulses,
act from love,
and remain open to divine pruning (correction).
This matches perfectly with Cayce’s lesson:
overcoming self,
mastering the “prince of this world,”
living the Christ Consciousness of love.
In Short
The notes teach that:
Jesus’ mission culminated in His promise of the Holy Spirit.
Spirit is God’s force; Holy Spirit is that force functioning perfectly.
The “prince of this world” represents Spirit misused by selfish motives.
Jesus overcame this completely, showing us the path.
We must practice love, meditate, and follow inner guidance.
Hardships refine us and draw us closer to God.
True discipleship means sacrifice, courage, and overcoming the ego.
Love—selfless, divine love—is the fulfillment of God’s law and the sign that we truly abide in Christ.
AFFIRMATION
“Through the love of the Father and the guidance of the Holy Spirit,
I abide in the Christ within.
The prince of this world has nothing in me.
I choose love, I choose peace, I choose God.”
PRAYER
Father,
Let Your Holy Spirit fill my mind and heart with the purity of Your love.
Guide me beyond fear, pride, and self-will, that I may walk the path shown by Jesus,
the Living Vine to whom I am joined.
May Your Spirit teach me, comfort me, correct me, and strengthen me.
Where selfishness would rise, plant gentleness;
where confusion would trouble me, grant Your peace;
where my will would take control, let the Christ within lead.
Teach me to love as Jesus loved,
to forgive as He forgave,
and to see Your presence in every soul I meet.
Keep me steady through trials, faithful through darkness,
and joyful in the knowledge that You abide in me as I seek to abide in You.
In Christ’s name, Amen.
MEDITATION (Guided)
Begin by breathing slowly and deeply.
With each breath, let the body grow still and the mind become quiet.
Silently say within your heart:
“Father, here am I. Open my heart to Your love.”
Imagine a gentle light—warm, pure, and peaceful—resting in the center of your chest.
This is the Christ Light, the same presence Jesus spoke of when He said,
“Abide in Me, and I in you.”
With each breath, feel this light expanding:
filling the heart,
calming the mind,
softening the body,
dissolving worry, fear, or self-concern.
If any troubling thoughts arise, simply whisper inwardly:
“The prince of this world has nothing in me.”
Feel these thoughts fall away like shadows in sunlight.
Now, imagine the light connecting upward—like a vine to its source—into the presence of God, the Living Father.
From above, feel a gentle flow descending:
perfect peace…
quiet strength…
the Holy Spirit, the Comforter promised by Jesus.
Invite this Presence to teach you, guide you, and cleanse every part of your being.
Rest in this awareness:
“God’s love grows in me.
God’s Spirit moves through me.
I am one with the Vine of Christ.”
Remain here for a few moments, letting the love of God fill every corner of your soul.
When ready, breathe deeply again and return gently.
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