The Gift of Grace

In a recent metaphysics class, we explored the paradox of Divine Law and Grace.
 
Divine Law, according to Charles Fillmore, Unity co-founder, is ‘the orderly working out of the principles of Being into expression and manifestation throughout creation.’ (Revealing Word). One of the ways we witness this is through the law of cause and effect: The idea that as we sow, we reap. Also according to Charles Fillmore, ‘Divine Law cannot be broken. It holds humankind responsible for the results of its labours’.

It is true that we learn through cause and effect. We learn what works and does not work. If I study and apply myself, I will do better than if I do not. If I sow sunflower seeds, I will get an abundance of sunflowers (last year and this year!) If I cause harm to another, I will experience harm in my own life as well. I will burn when I touch something very hot. We need this law to be able to live safely and effectively as human beings.

However, the experience of Grace exists as well. Eric Butterworth, in his book, Celebrate Yourself, writes, “Grace is simply an explanation of a wonderful facet of the activity of God in you. It is not something to work for, to develop. It simply is.”

​For me, Grace is Divine Love in action. There is more love here for us all than we can ever know. We do not need to work to deserve it – Love is our birth right for it is our essence; our True Self. I believe we are here to be the expression of Love, using wisdom, to bless all of life, including ourselves.
 
Eric Butterworth writes that ‘God’s desire to express completely through you and as you is so great that you never completely reap the harvest of error and you always reap more good than you sow.’ I believe this is to enable us to know ourselves as Love, the image and likeness of God. For me, this was a huge part of Jesus’ message. He moved from Mosaic Law to using this law of love and grace to do what was right and good, instead of what the law dictated. The parable of The Good Samaritan in Luke 10 is a perfect example of this.
 
When we live this way, as Jesus taught us to do, we move beyond being simply Children of God, living only through the law of cause and effect, to the knowing that we are the hands and feet of God: Divine Love is lived and shared through us. Love is the first and last cause. Ours is to simply abide in Pure Presence and let this love flow out to all, through our thoughts, words and actions.
 
How do you experience the activity of Divine grace in your life?
 
Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
Director, Silent Unity and Daily Word UK