On our salvation

Geronda, some feel certain of their salvation and others have doubts.  What is the proper stance? 

The goal is for people to observe God’s commandments.  The spiritual person must attain such a spiritual condition that even if God does not grant him Paradise, he will not be disturbed.  We must realize well that today we are alive, tomorrow we may be gone, and we must be concerned about how to be near Christ.  Those who have by God’s grace realized the vanity of this life have actually received the greatest gift; it is not necessary to be able to foresee the future, for it is enough to have the foresight to prepare for the salvation of the soul, and to take the best possible spiritual measures to be saved.  You see, Christ did say, The value of one soul is greater than the world world, (cf. Matt 16:26).  The value of one soul is infinite!  That is why the salvation of one soul is an extremely important matter! 

Does this mean, Geronda, that one shouldn’t have the hope of salvation and the fear of damnation? 

If someone has the hope of salvation, he will not have the fear of damnation.  And for someone to have the hope of salvation, he will have to be somewhat sorted out.  The person who is struggling to the best of his abilities, who has no desire to live a disorderly life, but who in the course of the struggle for faith and life falls and rises again and again, God will never abandon.  And if he has the slightest will not to grieve God, he will go to Paradise with his shoes on.  The Benevolent God will surprisingly push him into Paradise.  God will ensure He takes him when he is at his best, in repentance.  He may have to struggle all his life, but God will not abandon him; He will take him at the best possible time. 

Comments by Elder Paisios from the book Spiritual Awakening, pp 120-21 (available from St. Herman Press http://www.sainthermanmonastery.com/):

On trusting God

When we believe in God and have trust in His fatherly providence and concern, then we do not think of ourselves; instead we know that God is aware  of our needs and looks after our problems, from the simplest to the most serious one.  The only things we must want is to allow God’s love and providence to function for us.  When we have this kind of faith and inner disposition, we are able to see God’s miracles––God Himself––who is always close to us under all circumstances.  In order to experience this we must reject any form of worldly assistance or human hope, and with a pure heart, unhesitatingly and trustfully devote our mind to God.  Then the grace of Christ will fill our souls at once. 

Some people have the wrong impression, however; they think they can be involved in worldly matters and be attached to material possessions, and at the same time, expect the help of God’s providence.  God’s help to people who think this way can be destructive, for it prolongs their attachment to worldly things. God helps them by letting them be exposed to temptations and difficulties; this will eventually make them loath worldly matters and totally devote their hearts to God. 

On co-suffering with others

Those who do not co-suffer with those who live in great pain are suffering from the most fatal of spiritual illnesses … mercilessness. 

Spiritual medicine when under trials

The best medicine for our every trial or tribulation is the greater trial of our fellow human beings, particularly when we compare it with our own trial and distinguish the great difference and the great love that God shows us in allowing only a minor trial for us.  Then we will thank God; we will feel the other's greater pain and we will pray from the heart for God to help them. 

Taking a person away from God

I have realized that the destruction of man lies in the abundance of material goods, because it prevents him from experiencing the presence of God and appreciating His benevolence. If you want to take someone away from God, give him plenty of material goods. 

The best time to pray

Peaceful, night-time prayer is of great assistance with its calmness and is also more efficacious for our spiritual development, just as the silent, night-time rain is of great benefit to growing plants. 

Accountability for our spiritual progress

What is beautiful and well-made belongs to the world and cannot comfort those who want to live a spiritual life.  There is no wall that will not eventually be torn down.  One soul is worth more than the entire world.  What must we do for the soul?  We must begin spiritual work.  We must have only the right kind of concern.  Christ will ask us what spiritual work we have accomplished, how we helped the world in spiritual matters.  He will not ask what buildings we made.  He will not even mention them.  We will be held accountable for our spiritual progress.  I want you to grasp what I am trying to say.  I am not saying that one must not construct buildings, and not construct them well, but one must take care of the spiritual life first and then mind the rest, and do all that with spiritual discernment. 

Inner work is essential

When someone applies himself to external activity, before having polished his spiritual inner state, he may struggle spiritually; but he will be fraught with worry, anxiety, lack of confidence in God and frequent loss of serenity.  If he does not improve himself, he cannot say that his interest for the common good is pure.  When he is liberated from the old self and all worldly things, then he will receive Divine Grace; and be not only at peace with himself, but also able to bring peace to everyone else.

On internal work and serenity

If we look to correct ourselves and look more intently towards our inner activity—rather than our external, giving precedence to Divine help—we can, in turn, be of greater and more positive help to others.  We will also achieve an inner serenity that will quietly help the souls of the people we encounter, because spiritual serenity reflects the virtue of the soul and transforms souls. 

On self-justification

The quotation below dove-tails nicely with Dee Pennock’s writings based on patristic teachings in her book God’s Path to Sanity, published by Light & Life.  This is a down-to-earth, practical text on the teaching about the passions and how to overcome them.  After reading the book awhile back, it so spoke to me that I distilled the admonitions found there into a prayer that can be used routinely (which follows this quote).  Perhaps others will find it helpful as well.  Pres. Candace 

I see today everyone, young and old, tends to justify everything with a rather satanic rationalization.  Everything is interpreted for them by the devil, and so they find themselves outside of reality.  Self-justification is a satanic interpretation of reality.  Elder Paisios of the Holy Mountain (Athos)

GUIDANCE FROM GOD'S PATH TO SANITY

(short prayers compiled from Dee Pennock's book, God's Path to Sanity)

Who can tell how often we offend? O, cleanse me of my hidden faults (Ps 19:12):

Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from pride and give me self-knowledge.

Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me and deliver me from self-importance.

Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from the pride of self-importance and thinking I know best and give me self-knowledge.

And, why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?  (Lk 6:46)

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from self-justification and show me my sin.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from self-love and vainglory and give me love.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from believing and obeying idols.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from anger (and hatred) and give me love.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from hatred of life and self-destruction.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, deliver me from self-importance and willfulness.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me and deliver me from willfulness and anger.

·        Lord Jesus Christ, forgive me and deliver me from willfulness; and bring me into accepting, desiring and doing Your holy will.

Every time someone bothers you, pray,

·         Lord Jesus Christ forgive me and show me my sin.

The spiritual life is very simple and easy

Spiritual life is very simple and easy; we make it difficult by not struggling properly.  With a little effort, a great deal of humility, and trust in God, one can achieve great progress in the spiritual life.  For the devil cannot find a foothold where there is humility; and where there is no devil, it follows that there will be no temptations. 

The egoist and the remedy

The greatest egoist is he who follows his thoughts, and does not ask anyone for guidance and direction --- leading himself to destruction.  Someone may be extremely smart and very astute; but if he is willful, self- confident and selfish, he is also constantly tormented.  He becomes very confused, and many problems are created for him.  In order to find his way, he must open his heart to a Spiritual Father and humbly ask for his help. 

Avoiding hard heartedness

For your heart not to be hardened, you must never think that someone else is at fault, or how much that person is at fault; but rather, how much you are at fault.  You see, when people are at odds with one another, each of them thinks that he is in the right; and each thinks he is entitled to more rights than the other person, and so they are constantly in disagreement. 

God's spiritual agreement with us

Our duty and concern must be how to please God and our fellow men; we should not be preoccupied with our needs, as God will take care of them.  There is a silent spiritual agreement between God and man.  He will look after us, while we will concentrate on how to live our lives according to His will.  "Cast all your anxieties on Him, for He cares about you," (1 Peter 5:7). 

The crushing of the devil

The greatest balm that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross gave us is the crushing of the devil.  After the Crucifixion of Christ, the devil is like a snake with no fangs—with no poison; he is like a wild dog without teeth.  All poison was removed from the devil; all teeth were removed from the wild dogs that are the demons.  So, they are now disarmed; while we are armed with the Cross.  Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos

Climb upward by descent

More often than not, we ourselves create most temptations when we put our ego within our collaborations with others; that is, when we wish to exalt ourselves.  No one climbs to heaven through worldly ascent, but through spiritual descent.  He who walks lowly, always walks with surety and never falls.  Elder Paisios of Mt. Athos