Part 2 Chapter 18: On the Crucifixion of the Flesh

尼古拉前执事 · Wed 23 February 2005 10:24 pm

Reader Benjamin · Post by **Reader Benjamin** » Fri 8 April 2005 9:19 am

Angel: Listen. There are two kinds of crosses: external and internal. The external cross consists of abstaining from excessive food and drink, and altogether courageously removing oneself from all that entices the sences: ... The inner cross consists of controling one's emotional stimulation's and voluntary taming with a gentle heart, the inner turmoil of the soul; restraining like a ferocious beast, the outbursts of anger and pride; struggling daily against your passions ...

I think this is getting at the source of our sins. Our habits and changing them to good habits. But strangly enough this too is too hard for us and we must again rely on God's grace and mercy.

This brings to mind what I have been told by protestants, yep even I would have said it a few years ago, they seem to think that we as Orthodox Christians are working for our salvation, where they are truely reliying on God's grace. But as you can see we work for our salvation, but we could not start or continue without God's grace. We rely on God's grace more than all of them. We are not sitting on the couch eating chips and dip rooting for the Christians, we are in the arena trusting God and fighting for our souls. But as I have to keep reminding myself, it is one step at a time.