Without much verbal fanfare, suffice it to say, this song was fiercely nagging for attention this morning:
1. Know this, that ev’ry soul is free To choose his life and what he’ll be; For this eternal truth is giv’n: That God will force no man to heav’n.
2. He’ll call, persuade, direct aright, And bless with wisdom, love, and light, In nameless ways be good and kind, But never force the human mind.
3. Freedom and reason make us men; Take these away, what are we then? Mere animals, and just as well The beasts may think of heav’n or hell.
4. May we no more our pow’rs abuse, But ways of truth and goodness choose; Our God is pleased when we improve His grace and seek his perfect love.
We are free to obey, and that freedom comes from obedience. Confusing until it was described to me in a way that made sense in terms of a bridle to control a horse until freedom is entirely earned. Often the invisible bit that controls me is called love, and "if Ye love me, keep my.commandments." We are not commanded to love, but in obeying commandments we are learning to love, as it was pointed out to me that all commandments can be boiled down to love "upon it hang allign the laws and the prophets".
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