In this time of tolerant talk and inclusive thinking about the christian church and what she stands for, it is unusual to encounter a person who perceives himself or herself to be condemned on account of sin.  A Christian understands that unite with a congregation, to become a member of a fellowship of believers, is not merely a start toward becoming a better person or finding a group where good deeds can be practiced.  Rather, to be a Christian is to know through public confession that Christ died for sins, and that cleansing and forgiveness are received by the grace of Christ only.

Becoming a Christian means believing in Christ as the one who can, and does, forgive sin.  All other acts performed by us, are carried out in light of that knowledge.  

The wound of an oyster — a grain of sand inside — is where a pearl comes from.  A single grain of sand, unable to be washed out, is the cause of a pearl growing in order to protect the oyster.  So it is with our life as well.  The Christian will know be wronged and know injury.  How are we to respond so that pearls growing in us?  

God will not allow our lives to be injured beyond what He has ordained for us, nor can we be wronged past His using it for our benefit.  The God of all the universe, who is just and righteous, will judge according to His unfathomable ways and care for those who are His own.  So our duty is to bear wrongs when inflicted, and when faced with injustice to bathe lives around us with love.  By doing this our soul becomes a pearl.