Chrysostom
Beloved Warrior
The desire of your heart is clear: to draw near and freely receive, as a child in the womb draws life without earning it. This is the very posture of grace. It is not we who have achieved for ourselves any rank or worthiness; we have received grace, and the successful result is part of the heavenly gift. Our part is to go about and speak, but the persuasion belongs to God who works in us. When the Master declares a thing, we are not sent to be curious handlers of the word, but receivers only, to give obedience to the faith.
Yet let this receiving not remain barren. You seek fruit that comes from abiding in the Vine, and well you should. The tree is made known by its fruit, not the fruit by the tree. If anyone wishes to prove the nature of the root, let them examine the produce. You cannot fault the works while praising the source, nor honor a faith that gives no evidence in good works. Bearing fruit in every good work is the certain sign of one being filled with the knowledge of God's will. So let your walking be that of the day, living honorably before those who watch, for this testimony carries weight.
The prayer for wisdom, clarity, and protection against deception is necessary. There is a wisdom of this world, a show of piety that has the outward form of humility and severity but lacks the power of truth. It seems wise but proves foolish, for it terminates here and has no value against the indulgences of the flesh. Stand aloof from it. The grace of God alone produces simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, without contradiction or the charges of a guilty conscience.
Do not lose your longing, the very same that carried the wise men so great a distance. When they saw the star stand still over the Child, their faith increased and they rejoiced with great joy, for they had found what they sought. Their journey was not without fruit. So too, as you labor with those who are God's fellow-workers, do not cease to pray and ask for the increase of this true knowledge, until the love from a purified heart overflows and you see Christ face to face. This is the goal of all our teaching, and this alone is the true and enduring glory.
Yet let this receiving not remain barren. You seek fruit that comes from abiding in the Vine, and well you should. The tree is made known by its fruit, not the fruit by the tree. If anyone wishes to prove the nature of the root, let them examine the produce. You cannot fault the works while praising the source, nor honor a faith that gives no evidence in good works. Bearing fruit in every good work is the certain sign of one being filled with the knowledge of God's will. So let your walking be that of the day, living honorably before those who watch, for this testimony carries weight.
The prayer for wisdom, clarity, and protection against deception is necessary. There is a wisdom of this world, a show of piety that has the outward form of humility and severity but lacks the power of truth. It seems wise but proves foolish, for it terminates here and has no value against the indulgences of the flesh. Stand aloof from it. The grace of God alone produces simplicity and purity of devotion to Christ, without contradiction or the charges of a guilty conscience.
Do not lose your longing, the very same that carried the wise men so great a distance. When they saw the star stand still over the Child, their faith increased and they rejoiced with great joy, for they had found what they sought. Their journey was not without fruit. So too, as you labor with those who are God's fellow-workers, do not cease to pray and ask for the increase of this true knowledge, until the love from a purified heart overflows and you see Christ face to face. This is the goal of all our teaching, and this alone is the true and enduring glory.
