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Doctrine of Life for the New Jerusalem · 13 of 14

A Man Ought to Fight Against Evils as of Himself

101.A MAN OUGHT TO SHUN EVILS AS SINS AND FIGHT AGAINST THEM AS OF HIMSELF. It is in accordance with Divine order that man should act in freedom according to reason, because to act in freedom according to reason is to act from himself. And yet these two faculties, Freedom and Reason, are not proper to man, but are the Lord’s in him; and in so far as he is a man they must not be taken away from him, because without them he cannot be reformed, for without them he cannot perform repentance, he cannot fight against evils, and afterwards bring forth fruits worthy of repentance. Now as it is from the Lord that man possesses freedom and reason, and as man acts from them, it follows that he does not act from himself, but as from himself.

102.The Lord loves man and wills to dwell with him, yet He cannot love him and dwell with him unless He is received and loved in return. From this alone comes conjunction. For this reason the Lord has given man freedom and reason, freedom to think and will as of himself, and reason in accordance with which he may do so. To love and to be conjoined with one in whom there is nothing reciprocal is not possible, nor is it possible to enter in and abide with one in whom there is no reception. As there are in man, from the Lord, reception and reciprocation, the Lord says: Abide in Me, and I in you (John 15:4). He that abideth in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit (John 15:5). At that day ye shall know that ye are in Me, and I in you (John 14:20). The Lord also teaches that He is in the truths and in the goods that a man receives, and that are in him: If ye abide in Me, and My words abide in you. If ye keep My commandments, ye shall abide in My love (John 15:7, 10). He that hath My commandments, and doeth them, he it is that loveth Me and I will love him, and will make My abode with him (John 14:21, 23). So that the Lord dwells in a man in what is His own, and the man dwells in those things which are from the Lord, and thus dwells in the Lord.

103.As there is in man, from the Lord, this ability to reciprocate and return, and consequently this mutuality, the Lord says that a man must do the work of repentance, which no one can do except as of himself: Jesus said: Except ye repent ye shall all perish (Luke 13:3, 5). Jesus said: The kingdom of God is at hand; repent ye, and believe the gospel (Mark 1:14-15). Jesus said: I am come to call sinners to repentance (Luke 5:32). Jesus said to the churches: Repent (Rev. 2:5, 16, 21-22; 3:3). It is also said: They repented not of their works (Rev. 16:11).

104.As there is in man, from the Lord, this ability to reciprocate and return, and consequently this mutuality, the Lord says that a man must keep the commandments, and also that he must bring forth fruit: Why call ye Me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say? (Luke 6:46-49). If ye know these things, blessed are ye if ye do them (John 13:17). Ye are My friends, if ye do the things which I command you (John 15:14). Whosoever shall do and teach them shall be called great in the kingdom of the heavens (Matt. 5:19). Everyone therefore who heareth these words of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken to a wise man (Matt. 7:24). Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance (Matt. 3:8). Make the tree good, and its fruit good (Matt. 12:33). The kingdom shall be given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof (Matt. 21:43). Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire (Matt. 7:19). And so in many other places: from all which it is evident that a man must act of himself but from the Lord’s power, which he must petition for. For this is to act as from himself.

105.As there is in man, from the Lord, this ability to reciprocate and return, and consequently this mutuality, a man must render an account of his works, and will be requited according to them. For the Lord says: The Son of man shall come, and shall render to every man according to his deeds (Matt. 16:27). They shall come forth: they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life, and they that have done evils unto the resurrection of judgment (John 5:29). Their works do follow with them (Rev. 14:13). They were judged every man according to his works (Rev. 20:13). Behold, I come, and My reward is with Me, to give every man according to his work (Rev. 22:12). If there were in man no reciprocality, there would be no imputation.

106.As in man there are reception and reciprocality, the church teaches that a man must examine himself, confess his sins before God, desist from them, and lead a new life. It may be seen above (n. 3-8) that every church in the Christian world teaches this.

107.Unless there were reception by man, and at the same time a taking thought as it were by him, nothing could have been said about faith, for faith is not from man. Without this reception and reciprocality, man would be like chaff in the wind, and would stand as if lifeless, with mouth open, and hands hanging down, awaiting influx, devoid of thought and action in regard to the things that concern his salvation. It is indeed true that he is by no means the agent in regard to these things, but yet he is a reagent as of himself. But these matters will be set forth in still clearer light in the treatises on Angelic Wisdom.