I

When somebody harbors their own intentions and plans

when something befalls them,

when they clearly reveal a corrupt disposition—

these are exactly the moments

when they need to reflect on themselves and seek the truth,

and these are also critical moments when God scrutinizes that person.

Whether you are able to seek the truth, accept the truth, and truly repent—

these are the moments that most reveal a person.

Whether you are able to seek the truth, accept the truth, and truly repent—

these are the moments that most reveal a person.

II

What God needs from you is not your offhandedness,

but an attitude of sincere repentance, an attitude of sincere repentance.

If you have difficulties, God will help you, guide you,

and lead you step-by-step in turning yourself around,

toward the path of accepting and pursuing the truth.

If your repentance merely exists in words,

or if you intend to repent and wish to let go of your intents and desires,

but you are not sincere about it and do not have the will to do so,

God will not force you.

III

There is no "must" in God's attitude toward man;

God gives you freedom and God gives you a choice, and He is waiting.

If you merely intend to repent but are not genuinely repentant,

God will not work in you, God will not work in you.

You may not intend to repent, you may be unwilling to repent,

or to let go of your status and your interests.

God will not force you, and you can make any choice you like.

If, at present, you merely intend to repent,

but have taken no real action toward repenting,

then God won't concern Himself with you.

from The Word, Vol. 6. On the Pursuit of the Truth I. What It Means to Pursue the Truth (2)