2:1 The intention of this philosophy is to create and foster humility within you. It works to reveal to you the oneness of humanity; we must develop the ability to appreciate and respect all humans on an even plane, regardless of their position in society.
2:2-3 It has become a habit of the world to to favor those who impress us with their fame, power and wealth. On both personal and global levels, there are systems of hierarchy. We must destroy the inclination to favor one person over the other based on their outward appearance or material wealth.
We readily give our attention and our respect to those who look the part. We often disregard those who do not capture our attention because of their modest appearance.
2:4 Not only is this tendency unkind, it is also detrimental to our faith and character: because a wise man with no possessions can do more for us than a fool with warehouses of money. I think many of us hesitate to believe that; we consider what the money could do to improve certain aspects of our lives. Yet if everything being perfect around you does not equate with internal perfection. We hear it all the time: money does not equal happiness, and perhaps we have to experience that in order to fully grasp it. But perhaps not. Perhaps we can understand through faith that the things of value, that which truly sustains the health of the life within us are things which cannot be physically grasped or stored in banks.
2:5 In Matthew 5:5 we are told that the meek shall inherit the earth. Home? Why? The meek shall inherit the earth because the meek are the humble, the selfless hard-workers. The meek are the reason there is justice and happiness and therefore they inherit all that they are responsible for creating. The rich human spent their lives procuring all that they decided they wanted (money, fame, power) and therefore they inherit what they chose: that which does not last.
2:6-7 We repeatedly called to wake up to our reality here on earth: we must not give our attention and certainly not our reverence to those who reign superiority over us. We must demand honesty and humility from our leaders, from every person we interact with. We have a current obsession with celebrities, athletes, and even world leaders and have thus diminished the ability to perceive all humans as equal. In many countries, over many generations, social organization and class systems have categorized people on scales of inferiority to superiority. We have to be bold in deconstructing those categorizations. We must challenge the parts of society we disagree with. We must inquire, always. Asking questions about the health and maintenance of the world we have created. We must demand answers from corruption.
Much of the world reveres "religious" leaders for their fancy churches and garments, their eloquent but empty orations. They commit blasphemy in that they disable humans from accessing the truth, that is, the natural humility of the earth and Spirit.
2:8-9 Throughout the Old Testament and the New Testament, we are instructed to love those around us the way we love ourselves. (Leviticus 19:18, Mark 12:31) To strive and achieve not only for our own well-being but for theirs. We must give and do for all humans. Difference and distance cannot deter us from offering our love and efforts.
There are many stereotypes existing about certain "types" of people. Having lived in the world and experienced, we must all develop the ability to perceive that there is goodness in all neighborhoods. Corruption in all neighborhoods. There is both honesty and deception in every place. There is compassion and genius within every region... whether it is a slum in a developing country or an enclosed wealthy neighborhood.
We must remember that history existed before us. The current socioeconomic positions of individuals, families, regions and nations were created (often thwarted or hindered) by circumstances which precipitated before our current reality. The developing nations of the world today (those countries thought of as "behind" or "backward" or even "hopeless" or "innately corrupt") were damaged by colonialism and present-day injustices. Wealthy countries dump their toxic wastes in poor countries (countries poor because of the plundering done to them by the countries which are now wealthy because of it). Toxic wastes from developed countries poison the environments of those who are already impoverished and starving. It's all connected. We are all connected. We've only discussed a single example.
Therefore, respect and appreciate all humans. Examine history if you need to, to discover that we are an interconnected planet. Often, those who we disregard have the most to offer.
2:10-11 What you say and what you do must at all time be working in unity. We cannot be kind to some and not to others and still consider ourselves as kind. If we commit to this faith, we must adopt all of it. Matthew 5:46 helps us to realize that we are no better than the evil if we are only kind to those who we determine deserve it.
2:12 Our soul will be judged by pure and frank liberty. Fairness determines the character of our soul. There is no partiality in fairness.
2:13 If you lived a life of kindness, kindness is returned to you. If you were merciful with others, the universe, God, creation will be merciful with you. Fairness rather than judgement is what we confront. We are distributed fairness... we earn, our lives determine what we receive.
If you know which kind of blessings you want to receive... if you know the frequency and urgency with which you would like to receive them... exemplify that in how you interact with others. Be readily, consistently productive in accomplishing the betterment of others' lives and the same quality of effort will be returned to you.
Likewise, if we are sluggish and uncaring... we create that lethargic energy in the world. It, too, is returned to us in the manner it was received.
2:14 This philosophy, this faith, is all about effort. About working. About putting in effort toward justice, compassion and truth. If we are not subscribing to its directives, we cannot consider ourselves members of this faith.
2:15-16 We cannot say beautiful things and get credit for them. We must do those beautiful things. Well-wishes are a varnish. A coating. We must be deeply entrenched in establishing justice and compassion. A young girl asked a religious figure in the world a profound question: why do children suffer? (This is examined in depth here.) Instead of actually doing something, the man just gave her an empty blessing (and who authorized him to give blessings anyway, we have ONE God and He is not a man). The point is: he did not do anything. Yet the whole world marveled at his empty response. We must be vigilant... over others and ourselves. We must demand effort and diligence and disregard empty words.
2:17 Faith without works is dead. Now that you have read it here with your own eyes, never allow anyone to tell you that you are accepted without works. You MUST contribute. You have responsibility here and no matter how fancy your words are, if they are not backed up by action, they are nothing.
2:18 You cannot show faith without evidence of it. How can you show anything without evidence? But works do show your faith. You do not have to speak of your faith, others can see it and feel it through the way that you live your life.
2:19-20 If you believe in justice but do nothing to establish it... what does it matter that you believe? Stagnant belief contributes nothing to the cause. The first step for some may be believing... but if the second step of contributing isn't taken, no ground is gained.
2:21-22 Examine the lives of the prophets within the pages of this scripture. Their faith was shown by their actions. By the trust and love exemplified...manifested into works and efforts. Their faith grew and developed out of what they did.
2:23-24 You become a fellow-worker with God when you work. When you join and contribute to His mission of compassion. Your life, your soul, is justified by what you do... your beliefs in action.
2:25 Someone who was disregarded by society was known and loved by God for her faith because of her works in faith. She was judged by humans who may have believed but did not do... and therefore she had true faith and they did not.
2:26 All of our organs keep our body functioning but when are soul departs, the body is rendered lifeless. Your beliefs may keep your faith functioning but without works... your faith is rendered dead. For you can honestly believe... but if you do not contribute, if you do not act, work and do as it instructs us to do... the belief counts for nothing.
