(Continued) 👆
As we understand from this, the devil also believes and trembles, but he does not perform good works. Therefore, a person who claims to be a Christian must not only have faith but also perform good works. The one who obeys God's commandments and lives accordingly will be saved from eternal judgment. "Whoever wants to follow me must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." This means that "carrying the cross" is the suffering we endure because of our Christian faith while living in the world. "In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
At that time, the holy apostles who heard these words lived by carrying the cross, enduring the sufferings that came with living a Christian life and emerging victorious. They "persevered through many tribulations to enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22). The journey of Christianity is full of suffering, just like the journey of Calvary. We must resist the desires of the flesh, live for the will of the soul, and fight against the world and the devil. We must persevere to the end, traveling along the narrow path and winning the crown of glory. As it is written, "Be faithful even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life" (Revelation 2:10).
In today's world, which is full of evil, social, psychological, and political problems, Christians, who are the seeds of Christ, must be the solution with their good Orthodox morality. "Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever" (Psalm 34:37).
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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