Page 54 - Built For God Handbook (Bible Verses) - The Christian Edition of the Tao Te Ching - The New Evangelization - Pope John Paul II
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For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this
is not your own doing; it is the gift of God—not the result of works,
so that no one may boast. ~ Ephesians 2:8-9
Faith is both a fruit of the Spirit and a gift of the Spirit,
given to all humanity. If we choose to cultivate our faith, it must
begin with Tao, in other words, God. It will help and guide us to
know God's love so we can love God above all things, the first
greatest commandment. This love will open our hearts and enable
the Power of the Holy Spirit to work in us. Te is the virtue, the
power, the Holy Spirit that is our teacher, guiding our hearts to
"trust" God and know He is love. Trusting and knowing that God is
love will transform our hearts to love not only God but others, which
is the second greatest commandment.
When we respond by loving God and loving others, we
desire to do good, desiring Jesus Christ in our hearts, the Flame of
Love. This is living "The Way of God by the Power of the Holy
Spirit." By the fruits of the Holy Spirit, we are called to walk in
holiness and make "disciples of all nations. Therefore,
understanding the teachings of Tao and Te in the BFG Handbook is
much like the Bible that can be summed up in a single word: love.
Love serves as the fundamental principle that will open our hearts,
allowing the Holy Spirit to strengthen and deepen our faith. It will
equip us with the right tools to move forward with our God-given
mission. The Church is sent to all peoples, all lands, and cultures.
These are the last words spoken by Christ before His ascension
into heaven, along with His promise to the Apostles and their
successors that He would remain with them until the end of time.