E25114

     At this point, to state that God is just would seem absurd, but those involved in religion, from teachers to ordinary believers, not to mention members of the general public, have a tendency to forget this point, so I take up this topic. I write because in spite of the fact that World Messianity and other such religions particularly stress justice, good deeds and acts of virtue, rarely there are those who deviate from the correct path and wander around in any number of mistaken directions. In these cases, wanderers will absolutely receive a sign from God, and if they ignore this warning, they will be subjected to God’s iron hammer.
     In the beginning stages of their faith, ordinary believers are quite impressed by God’s power and miracles and continue with a very fervent faith, and as it is a correct faith, benefits are conspicuous and they are naturally respected by many. Their individual circumstances are quite blessed, but in spite of the fact that God’s blessings should ordinarily be appreciated and even more dedication offered to repay the blessings, the misery of ordinary people who do not have faith is forgotten, spiritual debts slowly accumulate, conceit grows, and within the heart grows a crack, a gap. But since the evil forces continually look for this gap, this hole, readily enter it, and possess the individual’s physical body in order to manipulate the individual at will, this crack is truly dangerous. Evil forces particularly look for individuals with aspiration, those who can be useful to their cause. Those who truly have a correct faith, though, are safe because they cannot be touched, and evil forces give up trying, but because around these individuals are others who would pull them away from the light, the situation can be rather precarious.
     But even this precarious situation can be ascertained when put up against a measure. That is, the standard of whether there is self love or not. It is sufficient that you do not prioritize your own interests and make primary what you do for the benefit of God, of humanity. The evil forces can not sway such individuals. After a little while, though, in some people, a bit of arrogance appears. They think they are admirable. This moment is dangerous. They become overly ambitious. Because of this, they try to show off how great they are and attempt to obtain power. This stage is indeed frightening. Once this occurs, evil forces can penetrate even more deeply into the soul and possess it completely. Moreover, the greater evil spirits have a considerable amount of spiritual power. This spiritual power is, of course, temporary, but because this power includes the ability to heal and present miracles, those possessed become more conceited until they begin to believe they are the spirit of some divinity and act like a living god. Of the many New Religions in society today, most of their founders are of such types, but since the possessing spirits are not true divine entities, when their time comes, they fall.
     What should be given attention here is that if the attitudes of the founders of these religions are observed with a strict eye, these living gods are soon exposed. The most conspicuous points are that their feelings of love are weak and that faith is shojo with many strict commandments. They threaten penalties if not obeyed or destruction and loss of life if followers leave the faith. These are intimidating faiths that seek to prevent individuals from leaving their group. If a faith has any point resembling these, it would be no mistake to judge it as of the evil forces.
     I stress repeatedly that true faith is daijo, free and flexible, so whether to continue with it or leave is up to the individual; true faith is heavenlike, bright, and cheerful. On the other hand, faiths that are relentless and rigorous with rigid commandments are cults, hellish faiths. A particular point to keep in mind is that if a faith says not to tell others certain things, that is, has any secrets, it can be considered a cult, one led by evil forces. A true faith has no secrets whatsoever and is the very embodiment of brightness and cheerfulness.

* * *

“Kami wa Sei Nari,” which appeared originally on the front page of Kyūsei, Issue 54, March 18, 1950, was reprinted while Meishu-sama still alive in the essays anthology for ministers Goshinsho: Shūkyō-hen) Divine Writings: Volume on Religion), page 85, March 25, 1954. “Kami wa Sei Nari” has appeared previously in translation. Citation is given below for reference.

“God Is Justice,” The Glory, Number 004, February 1, 1955.

“God Is Justice,” Teachings of Meishu and Kyoshu, no date, page 7 (reprint of “God Is Justice,” The Glory, Number 004, February 1, 1955).

“Excerpts from ‘God Is Justice’,” The Glory, Number 047, January 10, 1964.

“God Is Justice,” Foundation of Paradise, 1984, page 308.

“Self-Reflection / “God Is Justice,” Daily Inspirations, 2002, page 73 (translation is an excerpt of the second paragraph and the first two lines of the third paragraph of the Japanese original).

“God Is Justice,” Teachings of Meishu-sama, Volume Three, 2005, page 10.

“The Dangerous Stealth of Self-Love,” Reaching for Faith, 2010, page 66.