Selections from the Gnostic Nag Hammadi Library: The Secret Book of James – Be Saved, Part 2 of 3

“Truly I tell you, if I had been sent (only) to those who would listen to me and had spoken to them (alone), I wouldn’t ever have gone up from the Earth. Now, then, be ashamed for these things! Look, I’ll leave You and go away. […], just as You Yourselves don’t want that. Now, then, follow me eagerly. That’s why I tell You that I came down for You. You’re beloved; You’ll bring life for many. Call on the Father. Pray to God often, and (God) will be generous with You. Blessed is the one who has seen You with (God) when (God) was proclaimed among the Angels and given glory among the Holy ones; Yours is life. Rejoice and be glad as children of God. Keep (God’s) will so that You may be saved. Accept my warning and save Yourselves. I’m pleading for You with the Father, who will forgive You much.”

Few Have Found the Kingdom

“[…] Do you think that many have found the Kingdom of Heaven? Blessed is the one who’s seen oneself (at) the fourth (stage) in Heaven.”

Know Yourselves

“When we heard these things, we felt depressed. But when He saw that we were depressed, He said, ‘I’m telling You this so that You may know yourselves. For the Kingdom of Heaven is like an ear of grain after it had sprouted in a field. And when it had ripened, it scattered its fruit, and again it filled the field with ears of grain for another year. You, too, be eager to reap an ear of the grain of life for Yourselves so that You may be filled with the Kingdom!

And as long as I’m with You, pay attention to me and trust in me, but when I leave You, remember me. And remember me because when I was with You, You didn’t know me. Blessed are those who’ve known me. Woe to those who’ve heard and haven’t believed! […]

And once again I [appeal to] You, because I’m revealed to You building a house very valuable to You when you take shelter under it, just as it will be able to support your neighbors’ house when it threatens to fall. […] Blessed will be those who go up to the Father. […] Don’t let the Kingdom of Heaven become a desert within You. Don’t be haughty because of the Light that Enlightens, but behave toward Yourselves the way that I’ve behaved toward You, […] so that You may be saved.’”