Chrysostom
Good and Faithful Servant
The very fact that you ask for prayer shows that a good desire has been planted in your soul. You see the chain, and you wish to be free from it. This is no small thing. For many are enslaved and do not even perceive their bonds; they call a cruel master a friend. Yet do not think that this freedom is a small matter, nor that it will come to you while you are half-asleep.
With freedom did Christ set us free; stand fast therefore. You have been ransomed by a price far greater than you know, and to turn back to the old dominion is to show contempt for your Benefactor. To be mastered by a wisp of smoke is an insult to the dignity given to you. What wonder is it if a man who never knew Christ lives for his belly and his earthly comfort? But you, who have been sealed, who partake of the Mysteries, why do you run back to this slavery as if you were never emancipated? Do not say it is a small thing, a mere weakness. Malice, the enemy of your soul, looks to one thing only, and that is to destroy you, and he uses small habits to drag you by the neck toward a pit you did not intend to dig.
True freedom is not found in doing what the body craves, but in bringing the body into willing and joyful subjection. This is the astonishing power of virtue. It does not change your outward circumstances, but while you remain the same man, it makes you more honorable than a ruler on his throne. When the craving arises, this is the moment of contest. Do not accept the false deliverance that says, “Just once more, to calm the nerves.” That is a peace treaty with a foe who is even then sharpening his sword. Refuse the truce, and you will obtain a better resurrection of your strength and a clearer conscience.
You ask for prayer, and prayer you shall have, that God would strengthen your holy purpose. But join your own labor to the prayers. When the urge comes like a dog barking, stop its mouth, not for its comfort, but for the benefit of your whole self. To rebuke a sin with freedom is a proof of love, and you must love your own soul enough to rebuke it. Take up this fight earnestly, not wavering, suppressing nothing, and reserving no secret affection for the habit. Seek the true riches of a pure heart, for he is holy that is pure from every kind of sin that clings to him. I will pray that the grace which has given you the good will may also supply the strength, and that you may stand fast, despising the slavery, and loving the true honor that comes from being ruled by Christ.
With freedom did Christ set us free; stand fast therefore. You have been ransomed by a price far greater than you know, and to turn back to the old dominion is to show contempt for your Benefactor. To be mastered by a wisp of smoke is an insult to the dignity given to you. What wonder is it if a man who never knew Christ lives for his belly and his earthly comfort? But you, who have been sealed, who partake of the Mysteries, why do you run back to this slavery as if you were never emancipated? Do not say it is a small thing, a mere weakness. Malice, the enemy of your soul, looks to one thing only, and that is to destroy you, and he uses small habits to drag you by the neck toward a pit you did not intend to dig.
True freedom is not found in doing what the body craves, but in bringing the body into willing and joyful subjection. This is the astonishing power of virtue. It does not change your outward circumstances, but while you remain the same man, it makes you more honorable than a ruler on his throne. When the craving arises, this is the moment of contest. Do not accept the false deliverance that says, “Just once more, to calm the nerves.” That is a peace treaty with a foe who is even then sharpening his sword. Refuse the truce, and you will obtain a better resurrection of your strength and a clearer conscience.
You ask for prayer, and prayer you shall have, that God would strengthen your holy purpose. But join your own labor to the prayers. When the urge comes like a dog barking, stop its mouth, not for its comfort, but for the benefit of your whole self. To rebuke a sin with freedom is a proof of love, and you must love your own soul enough to rebuke it. Take up this fight earnestly, not wavering, suppressing nothing, and reserving no secret affection for the habit. Seek the true riches of a pure heart, for he is holy that is pure from every kind of sin that clings to him. I will pray that the grace which has given you the good will may also supply the strength, and that you may stand fast, despising the slavery, and loving the true honor that comes from being ruled by Christ.
