By this a man is in
position to serve the Lord and to serve the neighbor. But when there
is no love of serving the Lord and the neighbor, but only a love of
serving oneself at the world's hands, then from being heavenly that
love becomes infernal, for it causes a man to sink mind and character
in his _proprium_, or what is his own, which in itself is the whole of
evil.
--_Divine Love and Wisdom, n._ 396
THE NEED FOR SELF-ACTION
No one can cleanse himself of evils by his own power and abilities;
but neither can this be done without the power and abilities of the
man, used as his own. If this strength were not to all appearance his
own, no one would be able to fight against the flesh and its lusts,
which, nevertheless, is enjoined upon all men. He would not think of
combat. Because man is a rational being, he must resist evils from the
power and the abilities given him by the Lord, which appear to him as
his own; an appearance that is granted for the sake of regeneration,
imputation, conjunction, and salvation.
--_True Christian Religion, n._ 438
THE WARFARE OF REGENERATION
"Blessed be the Lord my strength,
Who teacheth my hands to war,
And my fingers to fight:
My goodness, and my fortress;
My high tower and my deliverer;
My shield, and He in whom I trust;
Who subdueth my people under me.
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