What Is Truth?
1. AGAIN the twelve were gathered together in the Circle (of palm trees) and one of them even Thomas said to the other,
What is Truth? For the same things appear different to different minds, and even to the same mind at different times. What, then, is Truth?
2. And as they were speaking Iesus appeared in their midst and said,
Truth (one and absolute) is in God alone, for no man, neither any body (of men) knoweth that which God alone knoweth (who is the All in All).. To men is Truth revealed, according to their capacity to innerstand and receive.
3. The One Truth hath many sides, and one seeth one side only, another seeth another, and some see more than others, according as it is given to them.
4. Behold this crystal: how the one light its manifest in twelve faces, yea four times twelve, and each face reflecteth one ray of light, and one regardeth one face, and another another, but it is the one crystal and the one light that shineth in all.
5. Behold again, When one climbeth a mountain and attaining one height, he saith, This is the top of the mountain, let us reach it, and when they have reached that height, lo, they see another beyond it until they come to that height from which no other height is to be seen, if so be they can attain it.
6. So it is with Truth. I am the Truth and the Way and the Life, and have given to you the Truth I have received from above. And that which is seen and received by one, is not seen and received by another. That which appeareth true to some, seemeth not true to others. They who are in the valley see not as they who are on the hill top.
7. But to each, it is the Truth as the one mind seeth it, and for that time, till a higher Truth shall be revealed unto the same: and to the soul (which receiveth higher light) shall be given more light. Wherefore condemn not others, that ye be not condemned.
8. As ye keep the Holy Law (of Love) which I have given unto you, so shall the Truth be revealed more and more unto you, and the Spirit (of Truth which cometh from above) shall guide you, albeit through many wanderings, into all Truth, even as the fiery cloud guided the children of Israel through the wilderness.
9. Be faithful to the Light ye have, till a higher light is given to you. Seek more light, and ye shall have abundantly; rest not, till ye find.
10. God giveth you all Truth, [as] a ladder with many steps, for the salvation and perfection of the soul, and the truth (which seemeth to day) ye will abandon for the higher truth of the morrow. Press ye unto Perfection.
11. Whoso keepeth the Holy Law (which I have given) the same shall save their souls, however differently they may see the truths which I have given.
12. Many shall say unto me, Lord, Lord, we have been zealous for thy Truth. But I shall say unto them, Nay, but, that others may see as ye see, and none other truth beside. Faith without charity is dead.[1] Love is the fulfilling of the Law.
13. How shall faith in what they receive profit them that hold it in unrighteousness? They who have love have all things, and without love there is nothing worth. Let each hold what they see to be the truth in love, knowing that where love is not, truth is a dead letter and profiteth nothing.
14. There abide Goodness, and Truth, and Beauty, but the greatest of these is Goodness. If any have hatred to their fellows, and harden their hearts to the creatures (of God’s hands) how can they see Truth unto Salvation, seeing their eyes are blinded and their hearts are hardened to God’s creation?
15. As I have reveived the Truth, so have I given it to you. Let each receive it according to their light and ability to innerstand, and persecute not those who receive it after a different interpretation.
16. For Truth is the Might of God, and it shall prevail in the end over all errors. But the Holy Law (which I have given) is plain for all, and just and good. Let all observe it for the Salvation of their souls.
LECTION 90. 4. -The art of cutting and polishing glass and stone was well known in Phoenicia and Egypt, before the Christian era, and in Pompeii numbers of such crystals were found in great variety. It is a beautiful symbol appealing to the mind.
LECTION 90. 12. -Our Lord never damned or blamed those who could not see the divine truths, which he taught, and receive them. He had patience with them, as being without the fold, without light, and not admissible to the Kingdom, so long as they remained in their darkness and impenitence and self-doomed to eternal death if they persisted.
Read: James 2:1-26