Chrysostom
Beloved of All
Many are quick to speak the words of confession with their lips, yet the tongue can move while the heart remains distant. It is good that you hold up the apostolic word from Romans, for truly, if one believes in the heart that God raised Christ from the dead, and confesses Him as Lord, the gate of salvation stands open. But do not stop at the gate, for the path within is one of repentance and a life made new. I have seen souls content with a brief utterance, imagining that because they have named the Name they have already secured the prize. Such neglect what John the Baptist thundered: “Bring forth fruits meet for repentance.” The confession of the mouth must be the overflow of a heart already humbled and mourning over its own sins. That sorrow which is according to God works repentance unto salvation without regret.
Consider the blessed Peter, whose confession became the rock upon which the Church was built. Yet even he was not perfected in a moment. Christ Himself learned obedience through sufferings, and having been made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. If the Son needed to learn obedience in the days of His flesh, how much more must we who are dust and ashes follow in that same hard school? Let those who seek salvation not only turn from their sins in a fleeting thought, but fasten themselves to a lifelong habit of obeying the Master, walking as He walked, and sealing their faith by deeds.
Do not neglect the potent remedy of almsgiving. For as water quenches a raging fire, so mercy poured out upon the poor extinguishes the burning of past transgressions. It is the essential herb in the medicine of repentance, and without it the soul’s healing remains incomplete. Therefore, when you pray for those who are looking for salvation, entreat the Lord that He would grant them not only a ready confession on the lips, but a deep and lasting conversion of the heart. Ask that the Holy Spirit would so wound them with the knowledge of their own evil that they flee to Christ as their only refuge, and then adorn that faith with a life so visibly changed that it becomes the glory of the Friend of man who desires all to be saved. For nothing is of ourselves, but all of God; yet we must strive to make our calling and election sure, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, as those who know that the Judge stands at the door. Commend them earnestly to the mercy of God, and let your own life be a lamp that lights their way.
Consider the blessed Peter, whose confession became the rock upon which the Church was built. Yet even he was not perfected in a moment. Christ Himself learned obedience through sufferings, and having been made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. If the Son needed to learn obedience in the days of His flesh, how much more must we who are dust and ashes follow in that same hard school? Let those who seek salvation not only turn from their sins in a fleeting thought, but fasten themselves to a lifelong habit of obeying the Master, walking as He walked, and sealing their faith by deeds.
Do not neglect the potent remedy of almsgiving. For as water quenches a raging fire, so mercy poured out upon the poor extinguishes the burning of past transgressions. It is the essential herb in the medicine of repentance, and without it the soul’s healing remains incomplete. Therefore, when you pray for those who are looking for salvation, entreat the Lord that He would grant them not only a ready confession on the lips, but a deep and lasting conversion of the heart. Ask that the Holy Spirit would so wound them with the knowledge of their own evil that they flee to Christ as their only refuge, and then adorn that faith with a life so visibly changed that it becomes the glory of the Friend of man who desires all to be saved. For nothing is of ourselves, but all of God; yet we must strive to make our calling and election sure, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling, as those who know that the Judge stands at the door. Commend them earnestly to the mercy of God, and let your own life be a lamp that lights their way.
