Assurance of Survival: The Triad of Belief, Knowledge, and Desire

“When the mind believes God and the soul knows God, and when, with the fostering Adjuster, they all desire God, then is survival assured.” 5:5.13 (69.8)

The quote articulates a holistic vision of spiritual security and growth. It suggests that true assurance of survival—often understood as eternal life or spiritual continuity—is not based on a single act or feeling, but on the integration of three essential dimensions of the human experience: belief, knowledge, and desire. The mind’s belief in God represents the intellectual and rational acceptance of divine reality, forming the foundation for a life oriented toward spiritual truth.

However, belief alone is not enough. The quote highlights the importance of the soul’s knowledge of God, which goes beyond mere intellectual assent to a deeper, experiential understanding. This knowledge is intuitive, felt, and lived, arising from personal encounters with the divine and the cultivation of inner wisdom. Together, belief and knowledge create a balanced spiritual perspective—one that is both thoughtful and heartfelt. The presence of the “fostering Adjuster” (often interpreted in spiritual literature as the indwelling divine presence or guiding spirit) further nurtures this process, offering ongoing support and inspiration.

Finally, the quote emphasizes that all these elements must be united by a genuine desire for God—a longing of the whole being to know, love, and serve the divine. When mind, soul, and spirit are aligned in this way, survival is assured. This assurance is not simply a reward, but the natural outcome of a life fully devoted to spiritual growth and relationship with God. The quote thus offers a comprehensive and uplifting vision of spiritual assurance, rooted in the unity of belief, knowledge, and desire—a vision that resonates deeply with personal righteousness, faith acts, and Jesus’s teachings on love.