Continued 👇🏾
The Cross and the Martyrdom of Christ
Our Lord was crucified for the truth, while the two thieves were crucified as punishment for their crimes. Although all three were condemned to die, the purpose of our Lord’s crucifixion was to save humanity. Through His cross, He reconciled mankind to God. Therefore, the cross became a symbol of judgment and mercy. To the faithful sinner who said, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom” acknowledging his sin and repentance our Lord replied, “Today you will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:42-43).
The True Christian Life
✍🏾 The Christian life is a life of trials, suffering, and struggle, not a life of earthly pleasure and wealth. Our Lord taught that the path of righteousness is difficult:
"Narrow is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and few there are who find it" (Matthew 7:14).
And regarding the challenges of following Him, He said:
"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:10).
✍🏾 The true spiritual life is not comfort on earth but a life of sacrifice and endurance. That is why our Lord instructed His disciples:
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24).
The apostles, who learned from Him and followed Him faithfully, also taught:
"We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God" (Acts 14:22).
They set an example for us by enduring suffering with faith and perseverance.
✍🏾 The saints who left everything behind, bore the cross, and served Christ faithfully are called witnesses of righteousness. Our righteous father, Tekle Haymanot, is one such witness. He was called the “New Apostle” for spreading the Gospel in Ethiopia. In honor of his devotion, church elders sing:
"You preached the Gospel of God, you were a witness to righteousness, and you were called the plant of religion."
Righteousness Through Faith and Works
Righteousness is obtained by combining true faith with good works. It is not enough to have faith alone; faith must be active and expressed through righteous deeds. The Apostle James explains this clearly:
"My brothers, what does it profit a man if he says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? Faith by itself is dead… Was not our father Abraham justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith worked with his works, and by works faith was perfected. Scripture says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,’ and he was called the friend of God. Likewise, was not Rahab of old justified by works when she received the spies and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.” (James 2:14-26)
This shows that righteousness is found in the combination of faith and good works.
Our Lord also taught the importance of righteousness in His Gospel:
“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
“Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no wise enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).
“John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him; and you, when you saw it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe” (Matthew 21:32).
Regarding the work of the Holy Spirit, our Lord taught:
"When He comes, He will convict the world of sin, righteousness, and judgment: of sin, because they do not believe in Me; of righteousness, because I go to the Father and you will see Me no more; and of judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged" (John 16:8-10).
✍🏾 Saint Peter also emphasizes the Lord’s favor:
"The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil" (1 Peter 3:12).
Continues 👇🏾