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'Abdu'l-Baha says: - Let your life be an emanation of the Kingdom of Christ. He came not to be ministered unto, but to minister... In the religion of Baha'u'llah all are servants and maidservants, brothers and sisters. As soon as one feels a little better than, a little superior to, the rest, he is in a dangerous position, and unless he casts away the seed of such an evil thought, he is not a fit instrument for the service of the Kingdom (58:1) Dissatisfaction with oneself is a sign of progress. The soul who is satisfied with himself is the manifestation of Satan, and the one who is not contented with himself is the manifestation of the Merciful. If a person has a thousand good qualities he must not look at them; nay, rather he must strive to find out his own defects and imperfections... However much a man may progress, yet he is imperfect, because there is always a point ahead of him. No sooner does he look up towards that point than he become dissatisfied with his own condition, and aspires to attain to that. Praising one's own self is the sign of selfishness. - Diary of Mirza Ahmad Sohrab, 1914 (58:2) Although we are commanded to recognize and sincerely repent of our sins, the practice of confession to priests and others is definitely forbidden. Baha'u'llah says in the Glad Tidings: - (58:3) When the sinner findeth himself wholly detached and freed from all save God, he should beg forgiveness and pardon from Him. Confession of sins and transgressions before human beings is not permissible, as it hath never been nor will ever be conducive to divine forgiveness. Moreover such confession before people results in one's humiliation and abasement, and God - exalted be His glory - wisheth not the humiliation of His servants. Verily He is the Compassionate, the Merciful. The sinner should, between himself and God, implore mercy from the Ocean of mercy, beg forgiveness from the Heaven of generosity. (58:4) Truthfulness and Honesty Verily it [trustworthiness] is the door of security for all that dwell on earth and a token of glory on the part of the All- Merciful. He who partaketh thereof hath indeed partaken of the treasures of wealth and prosperity. Trustworthiness is the greatest portal leading unto the tranquillity and security of the people. In truth the stability of every affair hath depended and doth depend upon it. All the domains of power, of grandeur and of wealth are illumined by its light... (58:6) O people of Baha! Trustworthiness is in truth the best of vestures for your temples and the most glorious crown for your heads. Take ye fast hold of it at the behest of Him Who is the Ordainer, the All- Informed (58:7) Again He says: - "The principle of faith is to lessen words and to increase deeds. He whose words exceed his acts, know verily, that his nonbeing is better than his being, his death better than his life."
(58:8)
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