Bahá’í Sacred Writings, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, #368

In the beginning of his life man was in the world of the womb, wherein he developed the capacity and worthiness to advance to this world. The powers necessary for this world he acquired in that world. He needed eyes in this world; he obtained them in the world of the womb. He needed ears in this world; he obtained them there. All the powers that were needed in this world he acquired in the world of the womb. In that world he became prepared for this world, and when he entered this world he saw that he possessed all the requisite powers and had acquired all the limbs and organs necessary for this life, in that world. It followeth that in this world too he must prepare for the world beyond. That which he needeth in the world of the Kingdom he must obtain and prepare here. Just as he acquired the powers necessary for this world in the world of the womb, so, likewise, he must obtain that which he will need in the world of the Kingdom—that is to say, all the heavenly powers—in this world.

Once he hath passed from this world to the next, what will he need in the heavenly Kingdom and what powers will he require? Since the world beyond is the world of purity and radiance, we must therefore acquire purity and radiance in this world. It is here that we must obtain that radiance. In that world, spirituality is needed; we must acquire spirituality in this world. In that world, faith, certitude, and the knowledge and love of God are needed; they must all be acquired in this world, so that after ascending from this world to the next, we may find that we have obtained all that is needful for eternal life. That world is manifestly a world of lights; therefore, illumination is required. That world is a world of divine love; therefore, the love of God is needed. That world is a world of perfections; therefore, one must acquire those perfections in this world. That world is a world vivified by the breaths of the Holy Spirit; one must perceive them in this world. That world is the realm of everlasting life; one must attain unto that life in this world.

Man must strive to the utmost to receive these bountiful gifts and must acquire these heavenly powers to the highest degree. These are the following: first, the knowledge of God; second, the love of God; third, faith; fourth, charitable deeds; fifth, self-sacrifice; sixth, detachment; seventh, purity and sanctity. Unless he acquireth these powers and attaineth unto these requirements, he will be deprived of the life that is eternal. But if he obtaineth the knowledge of God, is aflame with the fire of the love of God, witnesseth His mighty signs, becometh the cause of love amongst all people, and liveth in a state of utmost sanctity and purity, he will assuredly attain to the station of rebirth, be baptized by the Holy Spirit, and behold life everlasting.