It is an item of faith that we are children of God; there is plenty of experience in us against it. The faith that surmounts this evidence and is able to warm itself at the fire of God's love, instead of having to steal love and self-acceptance from other sources, is actually the root of holiness: It is a fatal mistake to think of holiness as a possession which we have distinct from our faith... Faith is the very highest form of our dependence on God.
Interpretation
Faith in God as our source of love and acceptance is essential for true holiness.
This quote emphasizes the importance of faith in our relationship with God, suggesting that true holiness comes not from seeking love and acceptance from external sources, but from depending on God's love. It highlights the struggle between our experiences that may challenge this belief and the necessity of nurturing faith to achieve a deep sense of spiritual fulfillment and holiness.
In practice
This quote could be shared during a sermon to encourage believers to rely on God's love for acceptance.
Stone walls do not a prison make, nor iron bars a cage._x000D_ Minds innocent and quiet take that for a hermitage:_x000D_ If I have freedom in my love, and in my Soul I am free,_x000D_ Angels alone, that soar above, enjoy such liberty.
I could not love thee, dear, so much, loved I not Honor more.
Damn the great executives, the men of measured merriment, damn the men with careful smiles oh, damn their measured merriment.
What comes will also go. What always is will alone remain.
An aphorism ought to be entirely isolated from the surrounding world like a little work of art and complete in itself like a hedgehog.
To all new truths, or renovation of old truths, it must be as in the ark between the destroyed and the about-to-be renovated world. The raven must be sent out before the dove, and ominous controversy must precede peace and the olive wreath.
It comes down to this: black people were stripped of our identities when we were brought here, and it's been a quest since then to define who we are.
I hope that George doesn't internalize her scare tactics. I want to argue with her, tell her that "sins of the flesh" is just a control mechanism -- if you demonize a person's pleasure, then you can control his or her life. I can't say how many times this tool has been wielded against me, in a variety of forms. But I see no sin in a kiss. I only see sin in the condemnation.
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