Editorial April 30, 2018 Issue

The blessings of being receptive

Robert R. MacKusick

My cousin lives next door, and when we are about to share information about property or repairs, or request assistance from each other, we often smile and say to one another, “Are you in a receive mode?” This helps both of us make sure we’re paying attention, and prepares us for decision-making that may bring changes to how things are done.

Being open and receptive to new ideas and ways of doing things is essential to gaining more good in so many walks of life. Whether it’s basic property maintenance, academic education, the needs of our own community—whatever the situation or activity—a willingness to be receptive leads to progress and solutions. The same can be said for our willingness to be receptive to spiritual ideas, which can change our thinking for the better—it always leads to progress and spiritual growth.

The Bible contains rich spiritual teaching. But in order to understand the spiritual significance of the Bible, including the powerful words of the Master, Christ Jesus, it’s necessary to be in a “receive mode”—receptive to a better understanding of God, of man, and of God’s universe. Jesus’ understanding of the perfection of God and man enabled him to heal, through divine power, those who were receptive to the truth he taught. He revealed an entirely different view of creation as the spiritual, flawless outcome of God, whom he defined as Spirit—a view that shows us the naturalness of Christian healing and how to be free from the corporeal and imperfect thinking that underlies human suffering.

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Bible Lens—April 30–May 6, 2018