The Saint Euphrosynos Cafe

If someone wants to believe The Gospel and tries to obey the commandments as much as (s)he can, but still struggles with doubts in his/her mind, is this a sign of divine grace or is it a sign that they are part of the reprobate ones whose hearts God has hardened? Can he/she do anything to move from the "I want to believe" state to the "I truly believe" one?

Lucian Hodoboc wrote:

If someone wants to believe The Gospel and tries to obey the commandments as much as (s)he can, but still struggles with doubts in his/her mind, is this a sign of divine grace or is it a sign that they are part of the reprobate ones whose hearts God has hardened? Can he/she do anything to move from the "I want to believe" state to the "I truly believe" one?

First, Orthodoxy does not believe that anyone is "reprobate" in the sense of "predestined to damnation." Calvin believed that (and Augustine may have believed that) but Orthodoxy considers that to be a monstrous heresy. God permits us to harden our hearts, but he does not desire any man to harden his heart against God and against God's truth. God's grace is "present everywhere and fills all things." God's sanctifying grace is found in Orthodox baptism and Communion. If one is communing, with due preparation, in a true Orthodox Church, then one is coming into contact with God's sanctifying grace.

Are you under a true Orthodox bishop?

Even the Apostle Thomas had doubts. Attend Liturgy, pray, and read Scripture.

d9popov wrote:

God permits us to harden our hearts, but he does not desire any man to harden his heart against God and against God's truth.

If God permits us to harden our hearts, how does Orthodoxy explain the experience felt by those whose heart remain hardened despite the fact that they diligently seek God for years (until they end up becoming atheists)? There are numerous examples of people who have become atheists after having been believers for years. Some of them even members of the clergy.

Lucian Hodoboc wrote:

d9popov wrote:

God permits us to harden our hearts, but he does not desire any man to harden his heart against God and against God's truth.

If God permits us to harden our hearts, how does Orthodoxy explain the experience felt by those whose heart remain hardened despite the fact that they diligently seek God for years (until they end up becoming atheists)? There are numerous examples of people who have become atheists after having been believers for years. Some of them even members of the clergy.

When a person says that he "no longer believes in God," the truth is often actually that he no longer wants to follow God's commandments, so he says he "no longer believes." If the person is sincere in diligently seeking God, he will deny himself, take up his cross, struggle to fulfill the commandments, and repent when he fails. Greater faith comes from putting the Faith into practice, step by step. The more a person engages in cooperation (synergy) with God's grace, the more grace he will be given. If we humbly and penitently accept the suffering that God permits, we can also grow in grace through suffering, even if our "good works," in an active sense, are small. We do not earn God's grace, but we have to be willing to accept it. God's grace and God's revelation is present in the Truths of the Faith and in the commandments of God, and especially in confessing the Truths (dogmas) of the Faith and trying to fulfill the commandments. So, faith leads to good works, but good works can lead to firmer faith. Find a truly Orthodox church under a truly Orthodox bishop and receive the Holy Mysteries. Fast and do works of penitence and mercy. Forgive those who sin against us. Nothing is greater than receiving the grace of the Holy Mysteries of the Body and Blood of Christ "for remission of sins and life everlasting." It is this Orthodox Christian way of life that provides greater and greater grace and greater and greater faith.