body, and if it were separated it would be, as was said, like living in a house that has
no foundation. For moral and civil life is the active plane of the spiritual life, since
to will well is the province of the spiritual life, and to act well of the moral and civil
life, and if the latter is separated from the former the spiritual life consists solely of
thought and speech, and the will, left with no support, recedes; and yet the will is
the very spiritual part of a person. (Heaven and Hell 529)
What is a person to do when spiritual principle and the law of the country
he lives in differ? In a country like the United States there can be political
efforts to change a law that seems in opposition to spiritual principle. If the
issue is important enough to a person and changing the law seems unlikely he
or she may choose civil disobedience. The person can consciously disobey the
law knowing that it may lead to civil consequences.
At times people have taken even more extreme steps. Our celebration of
Independence Day is a reminder of a time when enough people in the original
Thirteen Colonies decided to dissolve the political bonds that tied them to
England and its king. They decided to become an independent and separate
country. Those who signed the Declaration of Independence knew that if the
American Revolution was suppressed and defeated they could forfeit their
lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor. The short term consequences of
their declaration were anything but easy and hopeful. But the longer results
have proved a blessing to millions who followed.
Those of us who are committed to the cause of the New Church in this
world can find ourselves out of step with the broader culture in which we live.
Priorities of church, marriage and family that the Lord teaches us about in
the Heavenly Doctrine are appreciated in some quarters but viewed as quaint,
provincial or wrong-headed by others.
Consider the young woman who looks forward to marrying a husband and
has committed herself to a chaste life prior to marriage. Friends, acquaintances
and others can be mystified by this commitment. As we well know we may face
opposition not just from individuals
but from legal decisions of the country
we inhabit.
During the Sermon on the Mount,
Jesus taught:
Those of us who are
committed to the cause
of the New Church in
this world can find
ourselves out of step
with the broader culture
in which we live.
You are the light of the world. A city
that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Nor do they light a lamp and put it
under a basket, but on a lampstand,
and it gives light to all who are in the
house. Let your light so shine before
men, that they may see your good
works and glorify your Father in
heaven. (Matthew 5:14-16)
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