grim, as a help towards finding and following the right road once more.
Vibrating, like a pendulum, between sin and the hope of forgiveness, — selfishness and sensuality causing Retrogression. constant retrogression, — our moral progress will be very slow. Waking to Christ's demand, mortals experience suffering. This causes them, even as drowning men, to make vigorous efforts to save themselves; and, through Christ's precious love, these efforts are crowned with success.
“Work out your own salvation,” is the demand of Life and Love; for to this end God worketh with you, Rewards. “Occupy till I come!” Wait for your reward, “and be not weary in well-doing.” If your endeavors are beset by fearful odds, and you receive no present reward, go not back to error, nor become a sluggard in the race.
When the smoke of battle clears away, you will discern the good you have done, and receive according to your deserving. Love is not hasty to deliver us from temptation, for Love means that we shall be tried and purified.
Final deliverance from error — whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense — is Deliverance not vicarious. neither reached through paths of flowers, nor by pinning one's faith to another's vicarious effort. Whosoever believeth that wrath is righteous, or that Divinity is appeased by human suffering, does not understand God.
Justice requires reformation of the sinner. Mercy cancels the debt only when justice approves. Revenge is inadmissible. Wrath, which is only appeased, is not
