What of the man who is conscious of considerable moral imperfection, perhaps of the habit of grave sin, and is at the same time sincerely desirous of spiritual growth? Is he to relinquish the quest for spiritual knowledge until he has first reformed his conduct? By no means. As a matter of fact any attempt to improve himself morally without spiritual aid is doomed to failure. The thing to do is to pray regularly and to throw the responsibility for success upon God. The man must carry on, no matter how many times he may fail. Let him keep affirming that God is helping him, and that his own real nature is spiritual and perfect. In this way moral regeneration and spiritual unfoldment will go hand in hand. The spiritual life does not require that we possess perfection of character, or else, which of us would be able to live it? What it does require is honest, genuine striving for that perfection. ...he that is perfect in knowledge is with thee (Job 36:4).
Emmet Fox
I have committed so many indiscretions in my lifetime that I could consume each day with just the listing of my current and past negative behaviors. But this would not be productive and I could not accomplish what the Lord has placed upon my heart because I would be so tied up in my own negative thoughts and memories that no good work could come from me. I happen to know that God loves each of us so much and for all of our existence He walks and tries to talk to each of us individually. Perhaps you say that that cannot be true because God has so much on His plate that He doesn't have enough time to "coddle" us when we are not obeying His great command to love everyone we meet. But the opposite is true. God desires above all to hear from each of His children whether it is happy talk, or whether we have just hurt one of His other children, or broken with His highest commandments. His one highest law is that we love others as we love ourselves.
The greatest gift God has given us is that it is all about love, and He is thrilled when he sees that we are feeling love for all people here now, and those that have passed before. If you hate anything or anyone you are unraveling God's plan. He wants all of His children to spend their lives feeling and acting out of love; knowing that we are all one and children of the Lord, who is ONE and the great force that guides and directs the entire Cosmos; His creating tool is love and all around the Cosmos love is the greatest force of all.
So even in my daily missteps, which I try very hard to correct, I can hear God's presence in my heart as He urges me to come from love and all will be forgiven. And the more you love the more love and forgiveness come back to you. It is not hopeless to have a long list of "sins" if we turn away from hatred and I'll-get-even-with-you, then your heart is uplifted with joy and God forgives us of all our short comings. He is generous and understanding of our human condition and knows that we can't be perfect in this negative-attitude world, but if we come from love in all of our decision making that is all that is expected of us. He says that it is only required of a person to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Have a blessed day, hopefully filled with love and positive ideas, and know that the Lord loves you just as you are right now.
Emmet Fox
I have committed so many indiscretions in my lifetime that I could consume each day with just the listing of my current and past negative behaviors. But this would not be productive and I could not accomplish what the Lord has placed upon my heart because I would be so tied up in my own negative thoughts and memories that no good work could come from me. I happen to know that God loves each of us so much and for all of our existence He walks and tries to talk to each of us individually. Perhaps you say that that cannot be true because God has so much on His plate that He doesn't have enough time to "coddle" us when we are not obeying His great command to love everyone we meet. But the opposite is true. God desires above all to hear from each of His children whether it is happy talk, or whether we have just hurt one of His other children, or broken with His highest commandments. His one highest law is that we love others as we love ourselves.
The greatest gift God has given us is that it is all about love, and He is thrilled when he sees that we are feeling love for all people here now, and those that have passed before. If you hate anything or anyone you are unraveling God's plan. He wants all of His children to spend their lives feeling and acting out of love; knowing that we are all one and children of the Lord, who is ONE and the great force that guides and directs the entire Cosmos; His creating tool is love and all around the Cosmos love is the greatest force of all.
So even in my daily missteps, which I try very hard to correct, I can hear God's presence in my heart as He urges me to come from love and all will be forgiven. And the more you love the more love and forgiveness come back to you. It is not hopeless to have a long list of "sins" if we turn away from hatred and I'll-get-even-with-you, then your heart is uplifted with joy and God forgives us of all our short comings. He is generous and understanding of our human condition and knows that we can't be perfect in this negative-attitude world, but if we come from love in all of our decision making that is all that is expected of us. He says that it is only required of a person to do justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with your God.
Have a blessed day, hopefully filled with love and positive ideas, and know that the Lord loves you just as you are right now.
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