The Apostle Peter sums up the content of the Christian life in the following way: "As Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same thought; for he who suffers in the flesh ceases to sin, so that the rest of the time in the flesh he may no longer live according to human lusts, but according to the will of God" (1 Pet. 4:1). Here the overcoming of sin is made directly dependent on the voluntary crucifixion of the flesh with its passions and lusts (Gal. 5:24).

In essence, everything comes down to a very elementary truth, that because of sinful damage, the soul and the body of a person are in conflict: when the body is satiated, then the spiritual forces of a person become blunted and weakened, and, conversely, when a person weakens the body by voluntary abstinence, then his spiritual forces awaken and begin to blossom. The best thinkers have established from ancient times that every spiritual effort, every voluntary deprivation, every refusal, every sacrifice is immediately exchanged for spiritual riches within us; The more we lose, the more we gain.

That is why the main theme of the Holy Scriptures is the motivation for podvig. The very life of a Christian is likened to bearing the cross after Christ: "Whoever does not take up his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me" (Matthew 10:38). To the disciples' question how many will be saved, the Lord answered: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for I say unto you, many shall seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24). "The kingdom of heaven is taken by force, and those who use force take it away" (Matthew 11:12; see also Luke 13:22-30; Mark 8:34-38; Luke 14:25-27; John 12:25-26). "Seek ye first of all the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you" (Matthew 6:19-34). And this is not only at certain moments of life, but should become a way of life: "Let your loins be girded up, and your lamps burning" (Luke 12:32-35, Mark 13:33-37). "In diligence do not faint; burn with the Spirit; Serve the Lord" (Romans 12:11).

However, speaking of the necessity of podvig, it must be remembered that in Christianity it is not spiritualization per se that is important, but assimilation to Christ. Spirituality can be dull, evil, and gloomy, like the "spirituality" of demons. Hinduism, with its yoga exercises, also develops "spirituality" and certain faculties of the soul - but the result here is the opposite of what is needed for salvation. Catholicism, breaking away from the apostolic tradition, has developed its own specific ascetic methods of "mortification of the flesh," but these feats are imbued with a gloomy and unconscious fulfillment of the established disciplinary requirements and are also far from the desired goal.

Christianity is a religion of joy. Irritability, severity, gloom contradict the Orthodox understanding of podvig. The very preaching of Christ began with the call of people to the Kingdom of eternal happiness: "Blessed are the poor in spirit... blessed are those who mourn... blessed are the meek..." (Matt. 5). The greatest ascetics have always reflected in themselves a bright and joyful mood. Talking, for example, with St. Seraphim of Sarov, Elder Ambrose of Optina, Righteous John of Kronstadt, St. Seraphim of Sarov, Venerable Ambrose of Optina, St. John of Kronstadt. Herman of Alaska and other true righteous men, people drew peace and consolation. All true ascetics were strict with themselves, indulgent and affectionate with others.

High Goal

We have before us a great goal: to become a new creature and to become like Christ. To do this, it is necessary to correct many things in oneself and, as it were, to break it: from the proud to become humble, from the passionate to temperate, from the hot-tempered and spiteful to meek and affectionate, from the lukewarm to zealous for good, from the self-loving and greedy to sacrificial and compassionate, from the suspicious and envious to benevolent, from the frivolous to wise, from the fearful and faint-hearted to courageous and constant.

Although God helps us every step of the way, our most active effort is also necessary. And here we encounter many obstacles, both external and internal. Sometimes it may seem to us that our whole nature, our whole being, is opposed to the Christian way of life. We are ready to despair, to return to our previous way of life. This temptation undoubtedly comes from the devil. Just as he tempted Christ at the moment of His extreme exhaustion, so he tempts us in the weakest moments of life. A cunning and cunning serpent! Therefore: "Watch and pray, that ye may not fall into temptation" (Matt. 26:41), "If we suffer with Him, we shall also be glorified with Him" (Romans 8:17).

Prayer, going to church, fasting, abstinence, confession and communion, study of the Holy Scriptures, reading spiritual literature, contemplation of God, works of mercy – all these are necessary means for inner renewal, these are our steps after Christ. When the goal is forgotten, then the deeds themselves are of little use and can turn into soulless Phariseeism.

One must cherish one's belonging to the Orthodox Church, because she has retained the original understanding of the essence of Christianity, while the heterodox confessions have thrown out of Christianity everything that seemed difficult and unpleasant to them. By doing so, they deprived it of its reviving power, leaving only beautiful, inspiring phrases. For a person seeking the heights of spiritual perfection, Orthodoxy provides all the necessary means in its grace-filled sacraments and the spiritual experience of the Holy Fathers. Of course, not everyone is destined to become great scientists or to win a Nobel Prize. But it is tragic when the path to progress and growth is fundamentally closed to a person, when primary school becomes the only educational institution, and newspapers become the only literature.

Thus, "let us strengthen our hands that are drooping and our knees are weak" (Heb. 12:12), remembering that every good effort on our part brings us closer to Christ, and every overcoming of temptation is a victory with Him. Let us follow Him who said: "Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls; for my yoke is easy, and my burden is light" (Matt. 11:28).

Appendix: The Holy Fathers on the Christian Feat