We are each accountable

[NektariosLopez]

"Homily from the Prologue of Ohrid
About the power that God gave to the words of the prophets

"Behold, I made My words in your mouth, a fire. And this people is the wood that it shall devour!" (Jeremiah 5:14).

You see brethren, that the effect of the word of God is different according to different people. The word of God is like fire, in whom the righteous one rejoices, as one frozen in the cold of this world; and the word of God is like fire which burns the unrighteous one whom this material world has overly warmed. The experienced spiritual fathers have left us proof that only the Name of Jesus brings power, joy and refreshment to the faithful - and this Name consumes evil spirits as a living fire. That is the way with every word of God. With some it creates comfort, with others irritation, with some it quiets anger, with others it increases anger, with some it provokes respect with fear and with others scorn. To the healthy it is honey; to the unhealthy it is the honey of wormwood.

But, why should the people be as wood which will be consumed? For, are the people to be blamed if the godless elders and false prophets lead them astray? The people are not to blame to such a degree as their elders and false prophets but nevertheless they are to blame to a certain extent. For God also gave the people to know the right path through conscience and through the preaching of God's word and the people should not blindly follow their blind leaders when they lead them on the false paths and distance them from God and God's law. Brethren, God is Just and He knows the measure of everyone's faults, and He will not permit the illiterate and the least to suffer as much as the literate and the greatest.

O All-seeing God, save us that we neither be blind leaders not blind followers. Strengthen our hearts that, as leaders and as followers, we will always be Your servants and only Your servants.

To Thee be glory and praise forever. Amen"

Powerful conviction about requirement of discernment and vigilance from each of us.

if anyone is interested in reading the rest of the entry which was for May 6th OS:
https://www.holyascensionofchrist.org/p ... rophet-job

[Barbara]

Does this passage - which is powerful - have any connection with Name-Worshiping, though ?

[NektariosLopez]

Does this passage - which is powerful - have any connection with Name-Worshiping, though ?

I do wonder what the immediate reference was at this time but it only made me think to our current circumstances which pertain to the world orthodox and many see through all of the corruption and heresies but rather than leave to be under right believing orthodox bishops, they remain. Many reasons but one that is notable is the excuse, “well TO don’t venerate [insert new calanderist/Ecumenist elder] so they can’t be legit.”

[Barbara]

A VERY GOOD POINT ! How can we combat that tidal wave of misinformation that leads too many people to that conclusion ?
This site is of course a big help, the videos produced by all of you are a great boost, too, to the cause.

Maybe we need to think about how further we can get the word out to counteract such completely wrong attitudes ?

I'm SURE the main source of that mistaken approach is -- Fr Peter Heers' crowd.

We MUST strategize to try to present the truth so that they will see through their - essentially - false teacher.

Maybe videos exposing the TRUTH about said false elders which some of them will find when searching for the figures so venerated by the Fr Peter Heers cult.

If only he would announce that he was wrong in this regard !!!

[eish]

Finding solace in the Name of the Lord is not the same as the Name-Worshipping heresy. Phrasings similar to the above are all over the Scriptures and the Fathers and nobody disputes them.

[Barbara]

OK, thanks, that's what I had thought

But - this brings up a good question : HOW do you tell the DIFFERENCE ?!!!