Q. Second reason?

A. If God is perfection itself, if He is not just perfectly orderly but order itself, and not just perfectly merciful, but mercy itself, and not just perfectly just but justice itself and so on, then we can say God is the summit of all virtue. Therefore, the more we grow in any virtue - purity, punctuality, sincerity, cheerfulness, etc., the more we approach the summit of any virtue, the more we become like God, the closer we get to God, the closer we get to heaven.

Q. Well I do have to admit this has been one long and very interesting conversation. Friendship. I'm beginning to realise that one thing I'm fortunate to have is my closest friend who whenever I ask him for advice and stuff he always gives blunt answers... Takes a while to get used to being told I'm joking or I was immoral in that particular instance or I failed in that other one, I was comfort-loving in one incident or selfish in another... but in hind sight it definitely helps having at least one such friend.

A. Well good on you! And you're probably one of the few lucky ones with such a forthright friend.

But let's see if you in your turn can become a better friend to your friends, if you can correct them when they are reckless in their driving or impure in the way they deal with their girlfriend or lazy in the way they train or study etc. For many people unfortunately, we simple cover over the faults of our friends with a joke and a laugh. Of course neither help the friend to improve... But life is so much less stressful and uncomplicated that way!

Q. Yup. That's a tough one... For me the challenge is usually just my laziness. As in you look at the guy and what he's messing up in and it's just so much easier to turn a blind eye or make a joke about it.

A. Well, work on it a step at a time, and pray both about and for it.

Q. Will do! Asante sana for the conversation.

A. Many thanks for the questions!

Great week!

25thSeptember 2016