In life, people that we like or dislike, companies that we work for, friends that are part of our life, neighbors that we know, strangers that we meet, and the State which exerts its power for good or evil upon us in so many different ways, consist in how we deal with life in all of its many facets on an everyday basis. It is our interactions and it is our decisions, on what to do or not do, what to say or not say that define our true character to the world and mankind.
We are gifted by our Creator with free will, so that we are never puppets to a master puppeteer, but indeed we are free to choose, free to act; recognizing, of course, that that freedom has consequences because we are surrounded by other people, all of whom have the exact same freedom, in which our lives intersect and interact with civil authority, to which conflict in any of its many forms, is inevitable.
This tension in our everyday life can be exacerbated or eased by the laws, rules and regulations, and overall demeanor of the people and institutions that we interact with. This means, that the respect that we so desire, is the same respect that we must give to others, so too, the love and forgiveness that we wish to have extended to ourselves, must too be extended to others, but none of this should be limited to a simple formula of like-for-like, instead it is in our hands, to be good onto others, without a need or expectation of the same in return, although, we may strongly desire to get such a return.
This means, when we are confronted with choices, that in order to do right, we must make the choice that is in conformity with the highest law, which is known as natural law, so defined as unchanging moral principles. The fruits of these principles are: "…love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control…." (Galatians 5:22-23). While we cannot control the actions of others, we have within our domain, the ability and obligation to control ourselves, and further that it is upon us, to always, to do the right thing.
This means when we are struck, we turn the other cheek, not because we are cowards and unable to physically confront those that are our rivals, but because a physical response, is seldom the correct response. We have a sacred obligation to live by the Truth, above all things, above all principalities, signifying that to be able to stand strong, requires right actions as well as courage, sacrifice, discipline, dedication, and love.
The highest and most meaningful test in life is when our core, moral beliefs are challenged, and this challenge clearly has within it the dangerous elements of our own physical sufferings or lost, if then at these times, we mitigate, qualify, or change who we are, in order to save our self, we have failed ourselves and exposed our self for the cowardly and the living hypocrisy that we actually represent.
What you really are is what you are when it all matters, when indeed it is very personal, when the choices are that easy road, or that other road that tries men's souls. Endeavor to try not to take that easy road, for the pathway to Heaven is that straight and narrow road, in which, in order to pass through, you must face withering trials, and overcome them, without hatred, without pride, without fear, always keeping your eyes focused on the prize and not resting till you rest within the only sanctuary that has no beginning, no end, and represents the epitome of truth, love, and justice.