About #Law, #Faith and #Conduct
Are we justified by keeping the law or by faith alone? Righteousness, faith, conduct
Beloved and esteemed brethren, who follow the orthodox teachings that we impart on the John's Repentance website, we humbly present to you an important lesson on the topic of Law, Faith, and Conduct.
As followers of Christ, we are called to live a life that is both righteous and pleasing in the eyes of our Lord. The question often arises, are we justified by keeping the law or by faith alone? We must remember that the foundation of righteousness is indeed faith, but faith without conduct is futile. As it is written in the Holy Scriptures, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead" (James 2:17).
The law is an integral part of our lives, for it brings justice and condemnation to those who transgress it. If we are obedient and keep the law, we shall be justified, but if we refuse and rebel, we shall be devoured by the sword. The prophet Isaiah confirms this truth when he proclaims, "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it" (Isa. 1:19-20).
Furthermore, we must not forget that our conscience, which is the spiritual law within us, guides us towards righteousness. It is through our conscience that we do good deeds and follow the moral laws that are ingrained in us. This serves as a reminder that there is one supreme God who rewards both the righteous and the wicked according to their deeds and judges impartially. As Saint Paul writes, "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves" (Romans 2:14-14).
In the Orthodox Tewahedo doctrine, conduct is given the highest priority after religion. Conduct is inseparable from faith. As Saint Jacob reminds us, "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?" (James 2:14). We are called to feed the hungry, sympathize with the bereaved, receive guests, give to one another, visit the sick, preach the gospel to the prisoners, and live in love. These are the hallmarks of Christian ethics, as exemplified in Matthew 25:15-30.
As followers of Christ, we are called to be the salt of the earth, and to stay away from the temptations of fleshly and worldly desires. We must turn away from revenge, malice, deceit, materialism, impurity, adultery, idol worship, and the burden of sin, and return to a good nature. As it is written, "Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account" (Matthew 5:11). Let us take up our crosses and follow Christ, for in Him, we shall find rest for our souls (Matthew 11:29).
Morality is the practical manifestation of our faith. If faith alone were sufficient, then even the demons, who are creatures of God, would have believed and testified that Christ is the Son of God.
As it is written in the Holy Gospel, "When the evil spirits saw him, they fell down before him and cried out, saying, 'You are the Son of God.'" (Mark 3:11) "And when he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and bowed down to him, shouting with a loud voice and saying, "Jesus, son of the Most High God, what have I to do with you? I swear by God that you will not torture me. "Come out of this man, you unclean spirit" (Mark 5:5-8).
In his message, the apostle Saint James said, "And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God." (Jas 2:19)
On the Virtue of #Chastity and #virginity: A Treatise for Our Time
Part One: On the Protection of Purity and the Struggle Against Temptation
I. Of the Perils of Fornication
Take heed of the words of the Apostle: "the marriage bed is to be undefiled; for fornicators and adulterers God will judge" (Hebrews 13:4). As fornication is not marriage, nor is it the commencement of marriage, one who violates chastity must seek repentance. Beware, young souls, for the Enemy does not commence his attack with gross sins; rather, he subtly draws away your conscience from remembrance of God.
The fathers advise that in resisting the devil's seductions, you must arm yourselves with prayer and spiritual labor, remembering the Creator in your youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). Prayer is the fire that scorches the serpent's eye, for he fears it above all.
II. On Resisting the Siren Calls of the World
Flee from the temptation: Be ever vigilant against the cries of temptation that the Evil One whispers around you. Though the buzz of sin surrounds you in all places, you cannot merely ignore it; instead, avert your attention from it. Arm yourself with the Word of God, and partake in the spiritual life through Scripture, particularly the Gospel of John.
Against the Sin of the Devil: For the youth who is unable to fend off the serpent's wiles, he must be cautious of sin's allure. Strive to flee from evil desires, for in doing so, you run toward sanctification. Engage immediately in spiritual work: prayer, worship, or calling upon a spiritual father.
On Dreams and Temptations: Sometimes the battle against sin invades even your dreams. Be wary not to follow the path of thoughts into sin and seek guidance from the spiritual fathers if your mind becomes troubled. Let not idle thoughts become a weapon for Satan.
III. On the Act of Repenting
Should a soul fall into the traps laid by the Tempter, it must not despair. Rather, it must turn quickly to repentance, as King David did, and strive never to return to that sin. If one falls repeatedly, let him rise again and again through constant repentance, always relying on the guidance of spiritual fathers.
IV. An Exhortation to Parents
Fathers and mothers, if you perceive your children ensnared by sin, urge them to repentance rather than despair. For despair may lead them to further sin, and even apostasy. Your duty is to guide them on the path of righteousness and not to cast stones at them.
Part Two: Concluding Remarks
In an age filled with temptations and worldly distractions, it is a sacred duty for each soul to preserve its chastity. We must remember that it is not merely a call to abstain from sin, but a positive invitation to grow in virtue and sanctity.
Let the words of the Psalmist guide you: "Flee from evil, and do good" (Psalm 33:14), for they are intertwined and inseparable. Let us all, then, strive to walk in the footsteps of the saints, ever aiming to live a life of purity, holiness, and unswerving devotion to our Lord and Savior.
May His grace keep you, and may you ever abide in His love. Amen.
May the name of the Holy God be praised forever and ever in every language that He has created, today and always.
May the blessings of the Holy Mother of God, the Virgin, and the Cross be upon us. Amen.
© John's Repentance
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