Greatness

The more steadfastly we behold, and the more persistently we pursue, the concepts of divine goodness, the more certainly will we grow in greatness, in true magnitude of genuine survival character. 28:6.21-22 56:10.12 100:7.17

In the Urantia Book

Nobility itself is always an unconscious growth. (100:1.7)

• The highest moral choice is the choice of the highest possible value, and always—in any sphere, in all of them—this is to choose to do the will of God. If man thus chooses, he is great, though he be the humblest citizen 39:4.14
• Greatness lies not so much in possessing strength as in making a wise and divine use of such strength. 48:7.27
• Said Jesus: “Whosoever would become great in my Father’s kingdom shall become a minister to all; and whosoever would be first among you, let him become the server of his brethren” 56:10.14 140:1.6 171:0.6 175:1.10
• the manifestation of greatness on a world like Urantia is the exhibition of self-control. The great man is not he who “takes a city” or “overthrows a nation,” but rather “he who subdues his own tongue.” 28:6.20
• When the spiritual tests of greatness are applied, the moral elements are not disregarded, but the quality of unselfishness revealed in disinterested labor for the welfare of one’s earthly fellows, particularly worthy beings in need and in distress, that is the real measure of planetary greatness. 28:6.20 140:4.6
• Spiritual greatness consists in an understanding love that is Godlike and not in an enjoyment of the exercise of material power for the exaltation of self. 158:6.3

Greatness is synonymous with divinity. (28:6.21)

Worldly greatness

• the apostles are led frequently to give way to their old predilection for honor, preference, and personal exaltation. 138:7.1 158:4.4 158:6.2-3 158:8.1 171:0.6 179:1 179:3.9
• Jesus warned that when the kingdom grew to embrace large groups of believers, the disciples should refrain from contending for greatness or seeking preference between such groups. 179:1 179:5.7

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• God is great 28:6.21 — Job 36:26.
• God is good 28:6.21 — Ps 73:1.
• Keys of the kingdom 39:4.14 — Mt 16:19.
• No man lives by himself 56:10.14 — Ro 14:7.
• If be greatest, become server 56:10.14 — Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26.
• Become great by ministry 140:1.6 — Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26. *Children of the living God*: 1 Ch 22:10; Ps 2:7; Is 56:5; Mt 5:9,16,45; Lk 20:36; Jn 1:12-13; Jn 11:52; Acts 17:28-29; Ro 8:14-17,19,21; Ro 9:26; 2 Co 6:18; Ga 3:26; Ga 4:5-7; Eph 1:5; Phil 2:15; Heb 12:5-8; 1 Jn 3:1-2,10; 1 Jn 5:2; Rev 21:7; 2 Sam 7:14. *Kingdom is at hand*: Mt 3:2; Mt 4:17; Mt 10:7; Mk 1:15; Lk 10:9-11; Lk 17:20-21; Lk 21:31. *Reign of God in power*: Acts 2:1-4.
• Jesus calms apostles 171:0.6 — Mt 20:24-28; Mk 10:41-45.
• Call no man “spiritual father” 175:1.10 — Mt 23:9.
• Who would be greatest: the server 175:1.10 — Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26.
• Humbled will be exalted 175:1.10 — Mt 18:1-4; Mt 23:12; Lk 1:52; Lk 14:11; Lk 18:14.
• # 1 Takes a city 28:6.20 — Pr 16:32.
• Control tongue 28:6.20 — Pr 21:23; Jm 3:3-8.
• Greatest must be server 158:6.3 — Mt 20:26; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26.
• My kingdom is not of this world 158:6.2 — Lk 17:20-21; Jn 18:36; Ro 14:17.
• Enter like child 158:8.1 — Mt 18:2-4; Mt 19:13-14; Mk 9:36-37; Mk 10:13-15; Lk 9:47-48; Lk 18:16-17.
• Humble himself 158:8.1 — Mt 18:1-4; Mt 23:11-12; Lk 14:11; Lk 18:14.
• Who is greatest 158:8.1 — Mt 18:2-5; Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 9:46-47; Lk 22:26.
• He who receives child receives me 158:8.1 — Mt 10:40; Lk 9:48.
• To be first, minister the rest 158:8.1 — Mt 20:26-27; Mt 23:11-12; Mk 9:35; Mk 10:43-44; Lk 22:26-27.
• Millstone around neck 158:8.1 — Mt 18:6; Mk 9:42; Lk 17:2.
• Cut off offending parts 158:8.1 — Mk 9:43-47.
• Jesus knew of dispute over honors 179:3.9 — Lk 22:24.
• Importance of service 179:3.9 — Mk 10:42-45; Lk 22:25-27.
• Reward for service 179:3.9 — Lk 22:28-30.
• Recall Jesus' life 179:5.7 — Lk 22:19c; 1 Co 11:24c,25c.

Where it appears

Greatness is linked in 2 paragraphs of the text.

What links here