Chapter 19: Living The Way of Truth

Do away with your display of sainthood, abandon cleverness ^a
So people can benefit a hundredfold

Do away with your display of kindness, abandon self-righteousness

So people can return to faithfulness and love

Do away with your display of cleverness, abandon profiteering
So bandits and thieves will no longer exist

These three things are superficial and not sufficient in themselves
Hence, know these higher principles:^b

Show your true nature and embrace simplicity ^c
Diminish selfishness and reduce desire

^aMatthew 23:27-28; James 3:13-18; 1 Corinthians 2:4-5; James 1:21; 1 Timothy 6:3-5; ^b2 Timothy 3:16-17; ^cPhilippians 2:3-8; Romans 8:5; Galatians 5:17, Mark 4:19.

Trinitarian M.A.P.

Mindset, Aim, and Practice are the three pillars of a spiritually guided path rooted in Love, Trust, and Faith, empowering us to fulfill our God-given mission. Understanding the Love of the Father will shape our MINDSET, opening our hearts to Trust in the teachings of the Son to direct our AIM, and empowers us to deepen our Faith in the Holy Spirit to guide our daily PRACTICE.

Mindset:

1. Embrace Simplicity Over Self-Aggrandizement

Mindset: Abandon the pursuit of outward recognition, whether it’s through displaying saintliness or cleverness. Instead, focus on genuine humility and sincerity.
Scripture Reference: “For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.” – Luke 14:11
Real-World Application: Resist the temptation to seek external validation. Approach life with simplicity, valuing authentic actions over superficial displays. This allows your actions to be more genuine, benefiting others without personal gain.

2. Shift from Self-Righteousness to Faithfulness and Love

Mindset: Abandon self-righteousness and embrace the virtues of faithfulness and love.
Scripture Reference: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4
Real-World Application: Before acting, check your heart. Are you acting out of pride, or are you motivated by love and genuine care for others? The shift from self-righteousness to love enables true service to others, aligning with God’s will for us to love our neighbors.

3. Diminish Selfishness and Desires

Mindset: Diminish selfishness and reduce desires, focusing on what is good, just, and true in God’s sight.
Scripture Reference: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21
Real-World Application: Shift focus from personal gain to the common good. Reflect on your desires and evaluate whether they align with God’s greater purpose for humanity. This mindset fosters stewardship, fairness, and a heart that seeks God’s will over personal ambition.

4. Act in Accordance with Your True Nature

Mindset: Be true to your nature, embracing simplicity and authenticity.
Scripture Reference: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self… and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24
Real-World Application: Authenticity means living according to God’s design, not conforming to the world’s expectations. Stay true to who God has called you to be, acting with integrity and sincerity. This mindset helps you align with your divine purpose.

5. Let Go of Superficial Pursuits

Mindset: Let go of displays of wisdom and self-importance in favor of deeper principles that bring true peace and harmony.
Scripture Reference: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Real-World Application: Before taking action, question whether it aligns with God’s greater plan for love, justice, and peace. Let go of empty ambitions and focus on principles that foster unity, peace, and the well-being of others.

By cultivating these attitudes, you’ll develop the right mindset to not only understand God’s Will but also put it into practice in your daily life, fulfilling your divine purpose in a way that blesses both you and others.

AIM:

1. Seek Simplicity Over Superficial Appearances

Aim: Focus on the simplicity of your actions, seeking truth and humility rather than outward displays of righteousness or cleverness. When you strip away pride and self-promotion, your true nature, which is in alignment with God’s will, can shine through.
Scriptural Reference: “The greatest among you will be your servant.” – Matthew 23:11
Real-World Application: In a world where image and status often dominate, aim to practice genuine humility. Look to serve others without expecting recognition or praise, focusing on building authentic relationships rooted in love and kindness.

2. Align with Faithfulness and Love Rather Than Self-Righteousness

Aim: Keep your eyes on love and faithfulness. Do not pursue actions motivated by self-righteousness, but by compassion, mercy, and truth.
Scriptural Reference: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” – Matthew 22:39
Real-World Application: Instead of focusing on proving your own moral standing or judging others, aim to act out of a sincere desire to care for and uplift others. Seek reconciliation, forgiveness, and kindness in your interactions.

3. Minimize Selfish Desires

Aim: Keep your focus on the greater good rather than personal gain. Diminish selfish desires, and live with a mindset of stewardship, humility, and service.
Scriptural Reference: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3
Real-World Application: In all things, ask yourself if your actions are aligned with God’s greater purpose. Focus not on self-interest, but on fulfilling God’s command to love and serve others. This will ensure that your actions reflect a Christ-centered purpose.

4. Live Authentically and Be True to Your Divine Nature

Aim: Strive to embody your true nature as a child of God, practicing authenticity and sincerity in all that you do.
Scriptural Reference: “You were taught to put off your old self and put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” – Ephesians 4:22-24
Real-World Application: Stay true to who God has made you to be, resisting societal pressures to conform. Your authenticity will not only honor God but will naturally draw others toward Him as well.

5. Focus on Higher Principles Rather Than Superficial Success

Aim: Keep your eyes on deeper principles such as peace, justice, and love. Avoid focusing on superficial or temporary achievements, as they do not lead to true fulfillment.
Scriptural Reference: “What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” – Mark 8:36
Real-World Application: In an age obsessed with success, fame, and material wealth, aim to stay grounded in values that build lasting impact—love, compassion, integrity, and humility. Ensure that your actions are in service to something far greater than personal success.

By maintaining these principles in mind, you will align your actions with God’s will, creating a life that is rooted in humility, love, and simplicity, leading to a profound impact on both yourself and the world around you.

Practice:

1. Cultivate Simplicity and Humility

Practice: Strive to live simply, without focusing on outward appearances or the need for praise. Live in a way that reflects authenticity rather than self-righteousness. This means simplifying your life, prioritizing the essentials, and letting go of distractions that lead to pride or superficiality.
Real-World Application: Practice being humble in your interactions. Whether in your personal or professional life, focus on what is truly important—authentic relationships, service to others, and aligning your actions with God’s will. Recognize that your worth comes from your identity as a child of God, not from your status or accomplishments.
Scriptural Reference: “Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.” – James 4:10

2. Live Out Faithfulness and Love

Practice: Embrace unconditional love and loyalty, both to God and to others. Practice showing genuine kindness without expecting something in return. Cultivate a heart of compassion, extending grace even when it is difficult, and focus on restoring others to faithfulness rather than judging or condemning them.
Real-World Application: Engage in acts of service—whether helping others in need, showing forgiveness, or simply being present for those going through struggles. Focus on building strong, loving relationships grounded in trust and care. In your community and workplace, look for opportunities to uplift others, showing love in both word and deed.
Scriptural Reference: “Let all that you do be done in love.” – 1 Corinthians 16:14

3. Minimize Selfishness and Desire

Practice: Actively work on diminishing your own desires that are selfish or rooted in materialism. Instead, focus on selflessness and stewardship, acknowledging that all things belong to God. This requires intentional living, seeking first God’s kingdom and trusting that all other things will fall into place.
Real-World Application: Practice contentment and generosity. Consider giving away time, resources, or help to those in need, and find ways to serve rather than consume. Reflect on your motivations before making decisions—are you driven by selfish ambitions, or are you acting out of a desire to serve God and others?
Scriptural Reference: “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” – Matthew 6:21

4. Live Authentically

Practice: Be true to the person God has created you to be. This requires knowing your identity in Christ and living out of that truth. Resist the pressures of society that demand conformity, and instead, choose authenticity, allowing God to shine through your unique gifts and talents.
Real-World Application: Embrace who you are in Christ, and let that guide your decisions, your interactions with others, and how you present yourself to the world. Whether you’re at work, at home, or in the community, let your character and integrity reflect the love of God. Resist the urge to wear masks or put on false pretenses.
Scriptural Reference: “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden.” – Matthew 5:14

5. Focus on Higher Principles and True Fulfillment

Practice: Shift your focus from external success to deeper spiritual values. Aim to embody principles like peace, justice, and love in your life. Let go of the need for status or material gain, and instead, build a life grounded in the pursuit of righteousness and holiness.
Real-World Application: Regularly assess your goals and priorities—are they aligned with the eternal values of the Kingdom of God? This means prioritizing actions that contribute to the well-being of others, preserving integrity, and ensuring that your pursuits are in service to a higher calling.
Scriptural Reference: “Seek first the Kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” – Matthew 6:33

By integrating these practices into your life, you will be better aligned with God’s Will, fulfilling your divine purpose. Seek simplicity, faithfulness, humility, and love, and reflect on your motivations. This way, your actions will be in harmony with the higher purpose God has set for you.

Universal Language of Truth

The New Evangelization aims to unite all people and nations through a universal language of truth that speaks to diverse cultures, histories, and faiths. This chapter highlights our commonalities rather than our differences. Through this, we become the "Light" of the Holy Spirit for others to follow in the Body of Christ, illuminating His presence in the world.

1. Humility and Simplicity

Christianity: Jesus teaches the value of humility and warns against seeking honor or status. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12). The call to live simply and without pretension is central to the Christian faith.
Buddhism: Humility and simplicity are also key Buddhist principles. The Buddha emphasized the Middle Way, avoiding extremes of indulgence and asceticism, and living a life of modesty and contentment. “To live a pure life, one must count nothing as one’s own in the midst of abundance” (Dhammapada 223).
Hinduism: Hindu teachings in texts like the Bhagavad Gita advocate humility and non-attachment. In Chapter 16, Krishna describes qualities of the divine nature, which include freedom from pride and ego. “The person who is free from all desires, who is detached, and whose actions are not motivated by selfishness, is said to have transcended ego” (Bhagavad Gita 5:29).

2. Faithfulness and Love

Christianity: Love is the central commandment in Christianity. Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you” (John 13:34), teaching the importance of unconditional love and faithfulness in relationships.
Islam: In Islam, love for God and His creation is a fundamental concept. “The Prophet Muhammad said, ‘None of you will have faith until you love for your brother what you love for yourself.'” (Sahih Muslim)
Judaism: In the Jewish tradition, love and faithfulness are deeply embedded in the Shema (Deuteronomy 6:5), which commands loving God with all one’s heart, soul, and might. This love for God naturally extends to love and care for others.

3. Selflessness and Minimizing Desire

Christianity: Jesus called His followers to self-denial, saying, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). The idea of putting others’ needs before one’s own desires is fundamental to Christian ethics.
Buddhism: The Four Noble Truths in Buddhism address the nature of suffering caused by desire, and the path to liberation involves renouncing attachments and cravings. The goal is to overcome the ego and reduce selfish desires, as expressed in the noble Eightfold Path.
Jainism: This religion emphasizes non-attachment and non-violence (ahimsa). Jain philosophy teaches that reducing desires and attachments is crucial for spiritual progress and liberation from the cycle of rebirth.

4. Authenticity and True Nature

Christianity: Authenticity and being true to God’s design for us is emphasized in verses like “You were created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). Christians are encouraged to live in accordance with God’s purpose, without pretending to be something they are not.
Taoism: The original Tao Te Ching emphasizes living in harmony with one’s true nature, free from pretense or artifice. The Christian version similarly calls for embracing one’s true self, which is in alignment with God’s Will.
Confucianism: In Confucian thought, the idea of “Ren” (benevolence or humaneness) encourages living authentically in harmony with others and one’s own moral values, reflecting the Taoist and Christian call to integrity and simplicity.

5. Higher Moral Principles and Divine Law

Christianity: The idea of following divine law is foundational in Christianity, where God’s commands are seen as a path to righteousness. Jesus’ teachings focus on aligning one’s life with God’s truth. “Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33).
Islam: In Islam, the submission to the will of Allah and following His commands is paramount. The Quran stresses that true believers will align their actions with divine law and seek the higher good for the sake of Allah.
Buddhism: Buddhism teaches the path of righteousness through the Noble Eightfold Path, focusing on right understanding, right intention, right speech, and right action. This path leads to moral enlightenment and liberation from suffering.

The principles of simplicity, humility, selflessness, love, and alignment with higher moral truths are universal across many world religions. These values are integral to human flourishing and spiritual fulfillment in a variety of faith traditions. Whether it is Christianity’s call to love one another, Buddhism’s emphasis on overcoming desire, or Taoism’s advocacy for living in accordance with one’s true nature, the core message is the same: true peace and spiritual fulfillment come from aligning with God’s will or the divine law, transcending selfish desires, and living authentically. These shared values point toward the universal truth that all religions teach, inviting individuals to live in harmony with themselves, others, and the divine.

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