Here is a little more of my translation from Russian of the works of St. Dimitry of Rostov. In this piece, he addresses how to abide with God and conversely how a person separates himself from God. The reader will note that St. Dimitry makes it very clear that where God is not allowed to …
Tag: Faith
With Faces Unveiled
Modern secular man has become materialized in his understanding. To a great degree, he no longer views the world and the events that transpire in it through the Spirit. Everything is mundane. Everything has a “scientific” answer. Experts rule and dictate base materialism. For the secular mind, there is nothing more than the material. And …
Christians Must Be Crazy
“To get ahead one must have a crazy streak, in the good sense of the term. Depending on how you use this crazy streak, you can become either a saint or a hero. But if you are not helped and are led astray, you can also become a criminal. One who doesn't have a crazy …
It is Better to be Outside of Heaven with God than to be in Heaven without Him
The futile search for a “happiness” that is found only in the material world leads in the long run to unhappiness. Even at current the frenzied rush to purportedly “keep people safe and healthy” reveals the tragedy of fallen existence. All we have, all of humanity's “well-being” and “happiness” is found in that which is …
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The Conspiracy of the Nations
“Why do the nations rage, and the people meditate on vain things? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers gather together against the Lord and against His anointed, saying, “Let us break their bands, and cast away their yoke from us” (Ps. 2:1-3). There is indeed a conspiracy, planned by the “nations,” …
Gracious Evil and Apostasy
“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves” (2 Cor. 13:5). The Scriptures are replete with the call to self-examination. For the believer, this includes the examination of “whether ye be in the faith.” That is are we striving to hold fast to sound doctrine and teaching? St. Paul even gives …
Right Theology Without Right Praxis is Dead
“But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (James 1:22). True faith is both in word - theology, faith – and in deed - work, practice, application. Thus, there is no right faith devoid of right practice. St. Paul also echos this spiritual reality when he teaches “Not …
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A Man Above Harm, Freedom that Enslaves, and the Power of Phroneo
“Let this mind be in you ...” (Phil. 2:5). Mind, in the above instance in the Greek, phroneo. When applied to the Christian life it means, basically, to have understanding, to be wise. To think, as to think soberly. It is in some sense a governing principle. One's phroneo will indicate one's state. Phroneo can …
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Knowing the Underlying Reality of Events
“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 Jn. 4:1). Every believer has been given a commandment to test the spirits. That is each believer is to cultivate the ability, by God's grace, to discern …
The State and Religious Affairs
“Another area of discussion was Religion. This is an avowed atheist speaking. And he said: 'Religion is not necessarily bad. A lot of people seem to need religion, with its mysteries and rituals – so they will have religion.' But the major religions of today have to be changed because they are not compatible with …
The Inkless Pen 