rializes worship hinders man's spiritual growth and keeps him from demonstrating his power over error.
Sorrow for wrong-doing is but one step towards reform and the very easiest step. The next and great step Sorrow and reformation required by wisdom is the test of our sincerity, — namely, reformation. To this end we are placed under the stress of circumstances. Temptation bids us repeat the offence, and woe comes in return for what is done. So it will ever be, till we learn that there is no discount in the law of justice and that we must pay “the uttermost farthing.” The measure ye mete “shall be measured to you again,” and it will be full “and running over.”
Saints and sinners get their full award, but not always in this world. The followers of Christ drank his cup. Ingratitude and persecution filled it to the brim; but God pours the riches of His love into the understanding and affections, giving us strength according to our day. Sinners flourish “like a green bay tree;” but, looking farther, the Psalmist could see their end, — the destruction of sin through suffering.
Prayer is not to be used as a confessional to cancel sin. Such an error would impede true religion. Sin is forgiven Cancellation of human sin only as it is destroyed by Christ, — Truth and Life. If prayer nourishes the belief that sin is cancelled, and that man is made better merely by praying, prayer is an evil. He grows worse who continues in sin because he fancies himself forgiven.
An apostle says that the Son of God [Christ] came to “destroy the works of the devil.” We should Diabolism destroyed follow our divine Exemplar, and seek the destruction of all evil works, error and disease included.
