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When we meet another from our state in the Lord

Arcana Coelestia 6756 [2] The reason why in ancient times they were called “brethren” from spiritual affinity, was that the new birth, or regeneration, made consanguinities and affinities in a higher degree than natural birth; and because the former derive their origin from one father, that is, from the Lord. Hence it is that men after death, who come into heaven, no longer acknowledge any brother, nor even a mother or father, except from good and truth, in accordance with which they find there new brotherhoods. From this then it is that they who were of the church called one another “brethren.”

[5] That in ancient times they who were of the church called themselves “brethren,” was as before said because they acknowledged the Lord as the one only Father, and because from Him they had a new soul and new life. Therefore the Lord says:

Be not ye called Rabbi, for one is your Master, even Christ, and all ye are brethren (Matthew 23:8).

As spiritual brotherhood is from love, namely, that one may be another’s, and they who are in good are “in the Lord, and the Lord in them” (John 14:20), therefore they are called “brethren” by the Lord:

Jesus stretching forth His hand toward His disciples said, Behold My mother and My brethren! For whosoever shall do the will of My Father who is in the heavens, the same is My brother, and sister, and mother (Matthew 12:49-50).

Insofar as ye have done it to one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it to Me (Matthew 25:40);

and He also calls the disciples “brethren” (Matthew 28:10; John 20:17). By “disciples” in the representative sense are meant all who are in the truths of faith and the good of charity.

See also When We Meet Where We Meet…..

We will always be in appearances of truth

AC 3207 [3] But it should be recognized that no truths with man, nor even with an angel, are ever pure, that is, free of appearances. Every single one is an appearance of the truth, but appearances are nevertheless accepted by the Lord as truths if they hold good within them. To the Lord alone do pure truths, being Divine truths, belong – for as the Lord is Good itself, so is He Truth itself.

AC 7902. As regards truths purified from all falsity, be it known that pure truth is never possible with man, both because falsity is continually flowing forth from the evil in which he is and which has its seat in him, and because truths have a mutual connection, and therefore if one be false, and especially if more than one, the remaining real truths are thence defiled, and partake somewhat of falsity. But truth is said to be purified from falsity when the man is capable of being kept by the Lord in the good of innocence. Innocence consists in acknowledging that in oneself there is nothing but evil, and that all good is from the Lord; and also in believing that man does not know or perceive anything from himself, but from the Lord, thus also the truth which is of faith. When man is in this state, then falsity can be removed from him, and truth can be instilled by the Lord.

Third Round posts are short audio clips taken from Round 3 comments offered in the online Logopraxis Life Group meetings. The aim is to keep the focus on understanding the Text in terms of its application to the inner life along with reinforcing any key LP principles that have been highlighted in the exchanges.