On the Trials of Faith

Received through Johanne Ladner · 20 August 1882 · John 15:24

Dear children!

These words are of great importance to all who, by My grace, have become inwardly convinced that I have chosen them to bear witness to Me and My love in word and deed. For the Holy Spirit has been placed within them to lead them into all truth, so that they may understand how the whole of their being and existence fits together. This finds expression in spirit, soul and body, made in My image, and in Father, Son and Spirit, or in love as the original essence, the Son as the Word, and the Spirit as its effect. Keep this relationship always before you, so that you may order your thinking, willing and acting accordingly.

You can fulfil your task as images of God more fully by always considering whether you mean to care more for the spirit or for the soul and body. When something happens to you, examine what use you mean to make of it, whether to serve outward interests or for spiritual gain.

For example, if you unexpectedly come into property or possessions, ask yourselves and examine whether you mean to use them in accordance with My intention or with the inclination of your natural self, which prefers a life of comfort. If the Holy Spirit has made your calling clear to you, you will surely use everything in a way that furthers your spiritual progress. Then you will have placed My commandments above the demands of your natural self.

Here is another example. If you are insulted and believe you have been wronged, your natural self demands satisfaction. The spirit, however, desires to forgive, and so to act like the divine Father, who always forgives. By your choice you can draw closer to Him or go further away.

Once grace has shown you this relationship between spirit and nature, it becomes a sin to live and act against the Holy Spirit. Those who have been given insight into the nature of the spirit bear greater responsibility for what they strive for and how they live, for more has been entrusted to them.

Therefore, whoever puts a hand to the plough and then draws it back will be chastened doubly. Such a person will no longer find it so easy to take comfort in grace, having failed to receive it as the Holy Spirit revealed it.

So you who seek to grow in spirit, consider carefully how much depends on examining your actions even in the smallest and least conspicuous matters. Ask whether they bring any gain to the spirit, or how far a thought, a word or a deed might stain and disfigure the image of God within you.

You have enough words from Me to teach you about this. If your will honestly seeks what is right, the divine Spirit within you is always ready to teach you. Therefore watch and pray at all times, so that you do not fall into temptation. Be alert to the direction from which the enemy seeks to approach, so that you can meet him with the right weapons and thus remain victorious.

Your Father!