Charity and Good Works (pt. 38)

Selection from True Christian Religion ~ Emanuel Swedenborg
Charity and Good Works (pt. 38)
v Doctrinal Series v

XII. THE FIRST THING OF CHARITY IS TO PUT AWAY EVILS;
AND THE SECOND IS TO DO GOODS THAT ARE OF USE TO THE NEIGHBOR

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... Man himself ought to purify himself from evils [and not wait for the Lord to do this without his cooperation].

Otherwise he would be like a servant, going to his master, with his face and clothes befouled with soot or dung, and saying, "Master, wash me."

Would not his master answer him, "You foolish servant, what are you saying? See, here are water, soap, and a towel; have you not hands of your own and the power to use them? Wash yourself." 

And so the Lord God will say, "These means of purification are from Me; and your ability to will and do are also from Me; therefore use these My gifts and endowments as your own, and you will be purified."

(True Christian Religion 436)