The utmost is the Christian God who abhors sin, and fully practices the rule of justice.  People ought to plead with him to have their iniquities forgiven.  It doesn’t matter if these iniquities are large or small.  To be truly liberated people should do so through his grace.  Only then will they find joy, peace, courage, and hope in life.  God is most compassionate and truly understands us.  So be blessed in all these riches by him.

Martin Luther King, Jr. (1929–1968), a Baptist minister, activist, humanitarian, and leader of the Civil Rights Movement said, “Human progress is neither automatic or inevitable…Every step toward the goal of justice requires sacrifice, suffering, and struggle; the tireless exertions and passionate concern of dedicated individuals.”  Sins not only have to be confessed by our leaders, but they have to set the example of how to live a Christ-centered life.  .

When people think about youthfulness they reflect on the chronological age of the young.  Arthur Schopenhauer (1788–1860), a German philosopher envisioned youth differently when he wrote, “Each day is a little life: every waking and rising a little birth, every fresh morning a little youth, every going to rest and sleep a little death.”  To Schopenhauer youthful living takes different forms in the life of the Supreme Being.

Temporal Enjoyment

Temporal enjoyment might well lead to provocation, God’s punishment, and hardening of our hearts.  Alphonsus Liquori (1696–1787), an Italian Catholic bishop, spiritual writer, and theologian said, “What grieves me more in my past offenses, O my loving God, is not so much the punishment I have deserved, as the displeasure I have given You, Who are worthy of infinite love.”  Liquori regretted his offenses in not loving God as he should.

Why would people allow themselves to descend so low that there’s no hope of God’s mercy?  In Christian teaching to be eternally damned is a dreadful curse that could happen to a soul.  Still there are those who prefer to do evil instead of honoring God.  Eleanor Roosevelt (1884–1962), a politician, diplomat, and First Lady of the United States wrote, “It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.”  Roosevelt clearly gives us a reason for living successfully by using light as a symbol.

Christianity believes that non-believers ought to repent of their sins, come to know the one true living God, love his fellowmen and women, and serve God faithfully.  This apparently is what lighted candles mean to Christians.  Light dispels darkness that threatens to tarnish souls.  And forgiveness is a free gift, so why don’t we seek it?  But people must do so with repentant hearts, and walk victoriously in Christ’s ways.