Article September 14, 1946 Issue

The One Substance

HAROLD EDWARDS SUTTON

In response to the murmurings of the scribes and Pharisees against him (Luke 15:2), "This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them," the Master recounted three parables: the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the prodigal son. All stress the universal character of salvation, the joy that is felt over finding that which is lost, whether it be one of a hundred sheep, one of ten pieces of silver, or one of two sons.

The Master's rebuke was addressed to two modes of thought —that of the Pharisees, a sect noted for its strict observance of rites, ceremonies, and traditions, the Hebrew name for which means "the separated ones," and that of the scribes, or doctors of the law, both exemplifying fulfillment of the letter of the law without the spirit. On many occasions and in scathing terms our Master condemned these schools of thought, which were and are the antithesis of the Christ-spirit.

Jesus' mission was for all people and all ages. Separation and division, the letter of the law without the spirit, are enemies of spiritual progress today just as much as they were in the time of Jesus. Spirit, Life, Truth, Love, are indivisible and inseparable. They are synonymous with God, good, and good cannot be separated and divided, nor can man in God's image and likeness be separated from good. God is substance, and God is infinite, indivisible, without beginning or end. Division implies a lessening; but how can infinity be diminished?

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