"In the kingdom of heaven it is His work that will be crowned, not yours. Anything in you that He has not wrought Himself will count for nothing"
About this Quote
Johannes Tauler, a German mystic and preacher, offers an extensive spiritual insight with this quote. The phrase "In the kingdom of paradise it is His work that will be crowned, not yours" suggests that magnificent acknowledgment and reward are based on God's actions and affects rather than human efforts. The "kingdom of paradise" refers to the ultimate spiritual realm or state where spiritual truths dominate, typically associated with redemption or knowledge.
Tauler stresses humility and the requirement of divine intervention in achieving true spiritual benefit. By specifying "His work will be crowned, not yours", Tauler challenges the human ego and the common belief that personal achievements can make divine benefits. This point of view lines up with the mystic custom of giving up to a greater power, where spiritual advancement and enlightenment are viewed as presents of magnificent grace rather than the results of personal striving.
The latter part of the quote, "Anything in you that He has not wrought Himself will count for absolutely nothing", enhances the concept that only what is divinely inspired or affected within us holds real value. This indicates that human virtues and actions, unless grounded in magnificent impact, do not have spiritual weight. Tauler suggests that self-derived achievements or virtues, no matter how worthy, are inadequate for spiritual recognition if they are not rooted in or changed by magnificent existence.
Analyzing this, one can conclude that real spiritual progress includes passive receptivity to divine impact instead of active accumulation of personal accomplishments. Tauler's message prompts individuals to seek an interior change led by divine will, suggesting that true fulfillment and acknowledgment in the "kingdom of paradise" arise from letting God work through us. Therefore, the quote welcomes reflection on where divine action ends and human ego begins, pressing followers to cultivate a much deeper, more authentic connection with the divine.
More details
About the Author