Paul clearly alludes to the redemption of the body, as well as the continuance of the life of the soul, when he says: "For the creation was subject to vanity, not of its own will, but by reason of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the liberty of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only so, but ourselves also, WHICH HAVE THE FIRST FRUITS OF THE SPIRIT, even we ourselves, waiting for our adoption, to wit, the redemption of the body." St. Paul declared that even those who had glimpsed that wonderful Illumination (which have the first fruits of the spirit), are not free from the travail of the sense-conscious world, until such time as the cycle has been completed, and those who "are already in Christ, and then they that are Christ's at his coming," shall have made possible the perfected creation, and brought about the reign of love on earth. So that, when a sufficient number of souls shall have attained to this Illumination (cosmic consciousness), the "last enemy shall be overcome." That this present era gives promise of this hope, is evident. The attainment of cosmic consciousness brings with it immunity from reincarnation, as a necessity--as a law, but it does not provide against the coming of avatars--"sons of God," who are to "deliver Creation from the bondage of corruption." This also is clearly stated by Paul: "There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ. For the law of the spirit of life in Christ made me free from the law of sin and death." There never is any doubt in the minds of those who have attained cosmic consciousness, that they are spiritual beings and immortal--free from the law of karma; neither is there any thought of evil or of condemnation. They know that men are gods in embryo and that until they have been born into the cosmic consciousness--the realization of their _reality as spirit_, they must travail; but this sense-conscious state is not to be condemned any more than the child is to be condemned because it has not yet grown to adultship. The advice of St. Paul himself was simple enough and straight-forward enough. It was devoid of all subtleties; free from complexity; free from fear, or haste, or doubt, or strife, while confidently awaiting the universal attainment of Illumination. To the question as to what path to follow; what should be done to gain this great boon, if the law of the ancient Hebrews was not to be followed in its literal significance, Paul said: "Whatsoever things are honest; whatsoever things are true; whatsoever things are just; whatsoever things are pure; whatsoever things are lovely; whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, _THINK ON THESE THINGS_."