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The door is open, let all who will, come.
Such is the embracing generosity of the Father as he extends his welcome to each of us to accept the gift of eternal life and the ever increasing capacity for joy of existence………………..adventure!
There are five specific instances of the phrase “all who will” in The Urantia Book, yet it contains hundreds of other references to the fact we are drawn to embark on this glorious ascension career to Paradise as a result of the loving call to perfection.
1. Our body is the physical “temple” and God stands at the door and knocks.
The physical bodies of mortals are “the temples of God.” Notwithstanding that the Sovereign Creator Sons come near the creatures of their inhabited worlds and “draw all men to themselves”; though they “stand at the door” of consciousness “and knock” and delight to come in to all who will “open the doors of their hearts”; although there does exist this intimate personal communion between the Creator Sons and their mortal creatures, nevertheless, mortal men have something from God himself which actually dwells within them; their bodies are the temples thereof. [Paper 1:4.2, page 26:4]
2. Our physical body hankers after the meat which perishes, best seek for the spiritual food that nourishes everlastingly.
“My brethren, hanker not after the meat which perishes but rather seek for the spiritual food that nourishes even to eternal life; and this is the bread of life which the Son gives to all who will take it and eat, for the Father has given the Son this life without measure. And when you asked me, ‘What must we do to perform the works of God?’ I plainly told you: ‘This is the work of God, that you believe him whom he has sent.’” [Paper 153:2.7, page 1710:5]
3. Our physical body is nourished by bread. To experience eternal life, all who will, are offered the bread of life.
“I am this bread of life. Your fathers ate manna in the wilderness and are dead. But this bread which comes down from God, if a man eats thereof, he shall never die in spirit. I repeat, I am this living bread, and every soul who attains the realization of this united nature of God and man shall live forever. And this bread of life which I give to all who will receive is my own living and combined nature. The Father in the Son and the Son one with the Father — that is my life-giving revelation to the world and my saving gift to all nations.” [Paper 153:2.12, page 1711:4]
4. The invitation to accept sonship is extended to all with the capacity to respond to the call, it’s truly extended to all.
Jesus went over to Gamala to visit John and those who worked with him at that place. That evening, after the session of questions and answers, John said to Jesus: “Master, yesterday I went over to Ashtaroth to see a man who was teaching in your name and even claiming to be able to cast out devils. Now this fellow had never been with us, neither does he follow after us; therefore I forbade him to do such things.” Then said Jesus: “Forbid him not. Do you not perceive that this gospel of the kingdom shall presently be proclaimed in all the world? How can you expect that all who will believe the gospel shall be subject to your direction? Rejoice that already our teaching has begun to manifest itself beyond the bounds of our personal influence. Do you not see, John, that those who profess to do great works in my name must eventually support our cause? They certainly will not be quick to speak evil of me. My son, in matters of this sort it would be better for you to reckon that he who is not against us is for us. In the generations to come many who are not wholly worthy will do many strange things in my name, but I will not forbid them. I tell you that, even when a cup of cold water is given to a thirsty soul, the Father’s messengers shall ever make record of such a service of love.” [Paper 159:2.1, page 1764:3]
5. The same Jesus, now Michael Sovereign of Nebadon, Supreme Creator Son, with full authority over all living creatures in his realm, gives eternal life to “all who will” become faith sons of God.
“Father, my hour has come; now glorify your Son that the Son may glorify you. I know that you have given me full authority over all living creatures in my realm, and I will give eternal life to all who will become faith sons of God. And this is eternal life, that my creatures should know you as the only true God and Father of all, and that they should believe in him whom you sent into the world. Father, I have exalted you on earth and have accomplished the work which you gave me to do. I have almost finished my bestowal upon the children of our own creation; there remains only for me to lay down my life in the flesh. And now, O my Father, glorify me with the glory which I had with you before this world was and receive me once more at your right hand.” [Paper 182:1.3, page 1963:5]
How good is that?
Accept the invitation-call to perfection and become an inspiration to others!
“You can’t hold a torch to light another’s path without brightening your own.”
Hi Vern!
Related anecdote is a quote I came across on a bookmark a friend had given me awhile back, one which I’d placed in Part IV without paying a lot of attention apparently. Then I got it out and did some research on the author (Astrid Alauda) out of curiosity:
“Your body is a temple, but only if you treat it as one.”
Anyway, back to your subject, I imagine many readers have savored the words “whosoever will” in the UPapers, which a text search results in 7 more quotes
All the very best blessings,
Michael B
urantiavista wrote: I imagine many readers have savored the words “whosoever will” in the UPapers, which a text search results in 7 more quotesHi Michael B, good to see you. Great to get this suggestion, I’ll investigate those seven quotes too.whosoever will
1. The love of God is secondary to no other attribute of the Divine nature. It is wrong to think of God as being coaxed into loving his children.
It is wrong to think of God as being coaxed into loving his children because of the sacrifices of his Sons or the intercession of his subordinate creatures, “for the Father himself loves you.” It is in response to this paternal affection that God sends the marvelous Adjusters to indwell the minds of men. God’s love is universal; “whosoever will may come.” He would “have all men be saved by coming into the knowledge of the truth.” He is “not willing that any should perish.” [Paper 2:5.2, page 39:1]
2. The course ahead is announced, the way is open. The race for perfection is on! “whosoever will” may enter.
The goal of eternity is ahead! The adventure of divinity attainment lies before you! The race for perfection is on!whosoever will may enter, and certain victory will crown the efforts of every human being who will run the race of faith and trust, depending every step of the way on the leading of the indwelling Adjuster and on the guidance of that good spirit of the Universe Son, which so freely has been poured out upon all flesh. [Paper 32:5.8, page 365:4]
3. Jesus’ open-minded welcome is extended to all. With sympathetic heart he embraces every individual soul within whole universe.
Jesus was very broad in his outlook. He exhorted his followers to preach the gospel to all peoples. He was free from all narrow-mindedness. His sympathetic heart embraced all mankind, even a universe. Always his invitation was, “Whosoever will, let him come.” [Paper 100:7.6, page 1102:3]
4. Jesus understood human frailty, yet in full knowledge of such weakness, placed no restrictions or qualifications save the faith of the one who comes.
To Jesus, Judas was a faith adventure. From the beginning the Master fully understood the weakness of this apostle and well knew the dangers of admitting him to fellowship. But it is the nature of the Sons of God to give every created being a full and equal chance for salvation and survival. Jesus wanted not only the mortals of this world but the onlookers of innumerable other worlds to know that, when doubts exist as to the sincerity and wholeheartedness of a creature’s devotion to the kingdom, it is the invariable practice of the Judges of men fully to receive the doubtful candidate. The door of eternal life is wide open to all; “whosoever will may come”; there are no restrictions or qualifications save the faith of the one who comes. [Paper 139:12.7, page 1566:6]
5. Childlike trust is at the core of peacemaking. Being born anew is the destiny of “whosoever will” lose his life.
Children can easily be taught to function as peacemakers. They enjoy team activities; they like to play together. Said the Master at another time: “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it, but whosoever will lose his life shall find it.” [Paper 140:5.19, page 1575:4]
6. Jesus asks the direct question. How long will it take us to persuade you to enter joyfully into your spiritual inheritance?
“How long will you tarry in the valley of decision? Why do you halt between two opinions? Why should Jew or gentile hesitate to accept the good news that he is a son of the eternal God? How long will it take us to persuade you to enter joyfully into your spiritual inheritance? I came into this world to reveal the Father to you and to lead you to the Father. The first I have done, but the last I may not do without your consent; the Father never compels any man to enter the kingdom. The invitation ever has been and always will be: Whosoever will, let him come and freely partake of the water of life.” [Paper 165:3.8, page 1820:7]
7. To follow Jesus is to believe not merely in him but in the father who sent him. The person who sees Jesus sees the Father.
“He who believes this gospel, believes not merely in me but in Him who sent me. When you look upon me, you see not only the Son of Man but also Him who sent me. I am the light of the world, and whosoever will believe my teaching shall no longer abide in darkness. If you gentiles will hear me, you shall receive the words of life and shall enter forthwith into the joyous liberty of the truth of sonship with God. If my fellow countrymen, the Jews, choose to reject me and to refuse my teachings, I will not sit in judgment on them, for I came not to judge the world but to offer it salvation. Nevertheless, they who reject me and refuse to receive my teaching shall be brought to judgment in due season by my Father and those whom he has appointed to sit in judgment on such as reject the gift of mercy and the truths of salvation. Remember, all of you, that I speak not of myself, but that I have faithfully declared to you that which the Father commanded I should reveal to the children of men. And these words which the Father directed me to speak to the world are words of divine truth, everlasting mercy, and eternal life.” [Paper 174:5.7, page 1903:4]
These are everlastingly true words of salvation………..a promise of life in abundance for “whosoever will.”
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