Cheon Seong Gyeong 2202
Who should be called and recognized as true filial children and patriots in the providence of God? Does the richest man in America deserve these titles? What about people who drop flyers out of a plane with the message “Believe in Jesus!” but who have the attitude, “Believe it or not, it’s up to you”? Who do you think is closer to God, someone dropping flyers out of a plane or someone praying deeply and holding onto each person, individually distributing those flyers tearfully and with trembling hands? (155-261, 1965.10.31)
Cheon Seong Gyeong 1522
What kind of place is the Kingdom of Heaven? It is a place prepared for a man and woman who together have formed a family centered on God. Jesus came to earth but he was crucified before he could receive his bride and so could not have any children. For two thousand years he has had to remain in paradise until this time, praying and having the Holy Spirit work on his behalf. (21-199, 1968.11.20)
Richard: We are very fortunate to have the Blessing in this day and age.
Self-Sacrifice
SELF-SACRIFICE IS TO OFFER ONE’S ENTIRE SELF—body, mind and spirit—to the service of God and the fulfillment of His will. In times of oppression, self-sacrifice may mean literally to give up one’s life as a martyr. In times of relative ease, self-sacrifice means to be a “living sacrifice,” dedicating every action to the divine purpose.
Jesus offers a model of self-sacrifice in his death on the cross, and teaches the same by the commandment he gave his followers—“take up your cross and follow me.” As individuals, each of us has a cross to bear, maybe several, and religion commends that we deal with our burdens with an attitude of submission and selfsacrifice. However, Father Moon, like other great saints before him, takes up public crosses, putting his life on the line to save others and confront the evils of the world. This is the noblest way of life.
- Offering Oneself as a Living Sacrifice
I appeal to you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
Romans 12.1To Thee as a sacrifice Zarathustra offers the very life and being of his self;
He dedicates the first fruits of his loving thoughts to Ahura Mazda;
He offers the best of his words and deeds and willing obedience to the Divine Law.
Avesta, Yasna 33.14 (Zoroastrianism)
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
Galatians 2.20
O Son of Man! If you love Me, turn away from yourself; and if you seek My pleasure, regard not your own; that you may die in Me and I may eternally live in you.
Hidden Words of Bahá’u’lláh, Arabic 7 (Baha’i Faith)
Man, in truth, is himself a sacrifice.
Chandogya Upanishad 3.16.1 (Hinduism)
Would that I were an offering,
Taken up in the kami’s hand,
Drawn near to my god,
Drawn near to my god.
Kagura-Uta (Shinto)