198 The First and Great Commandment
the mere fact of human permanence; and is concerned to
bring to men the means to attain unto godlike life, and not
simply to assure them of imperishableness. Mere indestruc-
tibility may not prove to be a joy; and the joy of an endless
life must be the development of moral and spiritual qual-
ities akin to the character of God. The Divine love which
makes men deathless is further fulfilled in the gift of the
Divine Redeemer, who can impart the characteristics of
life which will correlate man in peace and harmony with
his Maker. Eternal life is more than deathlessness; “And
this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent”.
Let us assume with certainty that the soul will persist
and be given fitting embodiment in the unseen order; and
let us now concentrate our effort upon a present spiritual
resurrection, and through Him who is the Resurrection and
the Life seek to grow to-day in the life eternal. If we can
be uplifted into that life now and here, as is possible through
Him—then in the great transition we shall not enter as
strangers, but as citizens already naturalized in that eternal
order.
Since, therefore, we are spiritual beings, created with
capacities to image in humble ways the Divine Creator
Spirit who has made us, we must turn to Him at the outset
for the interpretation of our destiny, and for the power
and way to fulfill it. If we are to find and know ourselves,
obedience to the great commandment is the first step; as the
Creator alone can interpret the being whom He has en-
dowed with the duty to reflect Him in finite ways. Then,
the fundamental needs of human creatures, those that pre-
cede and transcend the needs which relate us to the earth
and mankind, are spiritual needs; and the God who made us
can alone supply the answer and satisfaction for which we