Incongruity:
Rebel bumbles in foggy absurdity
Avoids the path leading to clarity
Plays games designed to fully corrupt
Cynical, scoffing, abandoned to lust
Calculates, deceives and lacking in sense
Confounds Simple per sham defence
In perpetual pain — Soul descends
Soul embraces truth, marvellous insight gained
Takes virtue for raiment, honour and friend
Though the climb to the pinnacle of joyous delight
Be rugged, a challenge, painful through night
Attended by Presence declaring the way
Preparing Soul for that wondrous New Day
In endless praise — Soul transcends
BILLY GRAHAM: The foundations of civilizations are no stronger and no more enduring than the corporate integrity on the homes in which they rest. If the home deteriorates, civilization will crumble and fall.
HELEN KELLER: Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, vision cleared, ambition inspired, and success achieved. (Helen Keller’s Journal 1936-1937)
The Proverbs 14:2 says, there is a way that seems right, but it ends in death. The writer to the church at Philippi suggests right thinking and behaving leads to peace with God, Philippians 4:8-9. The following poem depicts these concepts.
Freedom of belief is threatened. Integrity is lacking. People have abandoned God and the principle of treating others as they wish to be treated, a value once considered necessary for a well-functioning society. Virtues are scoffed at.
What is virtue? C. S Lewis concludes, prudence (thinking about what you’re doing and the likely outcome), temperance (to be moderate), justice (to be fair) and fortitude (to be courageous) and suggests Christian character includes faith, hope and charity, (Mere Christianity).
Lewis argues an intelligent Being created all things and this God is good, that humans were created in God’s likeness, and are aware of an intrinsic moral code know right from wrong. People do not always choose the good, are accountable and at the mercy of their Creator who must punish evil. The problem of sin is overcome by choosing to trust God’s plan — believe in the incarnation, death and resurrection of his Son, and the indwelling Spirit of God. That faith enables the believer to live a consistently virtuous, disciplined and accountable life, dependent upon God’s power.
C. S. LEWIS: The Son of God became a man, to enable men to become the sons of God.
