Neville Goddard on Romans 11:32

Executive Summary

According to Neville Goddard's teaching on Romans 11:32, God is the author of humanity's disobedience. This state is not a human failure but a divinely ordained condition for a greater purpose: so that God may have mercy upon all. This universal plan ensures that every individual, having experienced a state of unworthiness, can fully know and receive divine mercy. This understanding removes all basis for judging others and reveals that entry into the Kingdom is purely a gift of Grace, not something earned through personal merit.

Key Concepts

• God is the cause of disobedience; He “consigned all men to disobedience.”
• The purpose of this universal disobedience is so that God can show mercy to all.
• To truly know mercy, one must first be in a state of unworthiness or unmercifulness.
• This divine plan means that ultimately, all are forgiven and everything returns to perfection.
• Salvation and fitness for the Kingdom are a consequence of God's choice, a gift of Grace, not a condition to be met by man.

Detailed Explanation

Neville Goddard interprets the scripture, “God has consigned all men to disobedience, that He may have mercy upon all,” as a statement about the fundamental nature of God's plan. He teaches that disobedience is not a human failing that separates man from God, but rather a state deliberately created by God Himself. This condition is an inherent part of being placed in a physical, animal body, where certain thoughts and impulses are inevitable.

The purpose of this divinely authored state is profound and merciful. According to Neville, one could never truly know or appreciate mercy without first experiencing a state of being unmerciful or unworthy. By consigning everyone to this condition, God creates the necessary context for His mercy to be showered upon all. It is through the experience of being unworthy and yet receiving forgiveness that one comes to understand the nature of Infinite Love.

This interpretation has significant implications. Since all of humanity shares this divinely ordained state, it eliminates any basis for judgment. Condemning another person is nonsensical when you realize their state is part of the same plan that governs your own. Ultimately, this plan ensures that “all return – all are forgiven, and everything is perfect.” The Kingdom of God is not earned through works or righteousness; it is an unconditional gift of Grace. Our fitness for it is the consequence of God's plan, not a condition we must fulfill.

Important Quotes

God has consigned all men to disobedience, that He may have mercy upon all.

— Who Am I

You would never know mercy unless you were unmerciful; and then it can be showered upon you when you are unworthy of it; then you know what mercy is.

— Test Him And See

So, in the end, all return – all are forgiven, and everything is perfect.

— Who Am I

Our fitness for the Kingdom is the consequence, and not the condition, of this choice of ours.

— Question And Answer

Related Concepts

This interpretation connects to the supreme power of Consciousness, or 'I AM,' as the ultimate cause of all states, including the state of disobedience. The teaching that 'all return' and are forgiven is directly related to the fulfillment of 'The Promise,' where every individual awakens as God. Because God is the author of the entire play, the concept of salvation by Grace, rather than by works, is central.

Common Misunderstandings

• Misunderstanding: Disobedience is a human error that separates us from God.

  • Correction: Neville teaches that disobedience is a state intentionally created by God as part of a larger plan for mercy.

• Misunderstanding: We must earn forgiveness or the Kingdom through good behavior.

  • Correction: The Kingdom is a gift of Grace. Fitness for it is a consequence of God's plan, not a condition that humans must meet.

Practical Applications

The primary application of this teaching is the complete cessation of judgment toward yourself and others. Understanding that disobedience is a universal state ordained by God for the purpose of mercy removes the foundation for condemnation. When you see another person, you are to remember that they, like you, are part of a divine plan that ends in perfect love and forgiveness for all. This fosters a state of mind rooted in love and acceptance, knowing that mercy will be extended to everyone without exception.

Frequently Asked Questions

According to Neville, is disobedience a sin we should feel guilty about?

No. Because God Himself “consigned all men to disobedience,” it is not a personal failure but a necessary part of a divine plan designed for everyone to experience mercy.

How does this teaching affect how I should view others?

It should lead you to stop judging others for their actions. Everyone is in the same divinely ordained state of disobedience, and all will ultimately receive God's mercy.

If God caused our disobedience, does that mean we don't earn salvation?

Correct. Neville states that the Kingdom is a gift of Grace. Our fitness for it is a consequence of God's plan, not a condition we earn through our own merit.