"As a bee imperceptibly builds a honeycomb in a hive, so grace secretly creates its love in the heart of man, changing bitterness into sweetness, and a cruel heart into good. And how a silversmith, making carvings on a dish, gradually covers it with patterns, and only after the end of his work he shows his work in all its glory. In the same way, the true Artist the Lord adorns our hearts with carvings and mysteriously renews them, until we transmigrate from our body, and then the beauty of our soul will be revealed" (Mac. Vel.).

"Such is the will of the Spirit, that His beloved should continue in labor. The Spirit of God does not dwell in those who live in peace. This is what distinguishes the sons of God from the rest, that they live in sorrows, while the world prides itself on luxury and peace. God did not deign that His beloved should rest while they are in the body, but He wants them now to be in sorrow, in burden, in labor, in poverty, in nakedness, in want, in humiliation, in insults, in a weary body, in sorrowful thoughts. Thus is fulfilled what was said about them: "In the world ye shall have tribulation" (John 16:33). The Lord knows that those who live quietly are not able to love Him, and therefore He denies the righteous temporary rest and pleasure" (Isaac the Syrian).

"To people who are just beginning to love piety, the path of virtue seems harsh and terrible. And this is not because it is essentially so, but because people are accustomed from childhood to live extensively and in pleasure. For one who has lived a pious part of his life, the path of virtue seems good and joyful. Because when we suppress evil aspirations with good habits, then at the same time the addiction to carnal pleasures itself disappears. After that, the soul willingly follows the virtuous path. That is why the Lord, calling us to begin our salvation, says that strait and sorrowful is the way that leads to life, and few are those who follow it (Matt. 7:14). To those who earnestly desire to live according to His holy commandments, He says: "My yoke is easy, and My burden is light" (Matthew 11:30). At the beginning of our podvig, we should force ourselves to fulfill the holy commandments. Then the merciful Lord, seeing our good intentions and labor, will give us readiness and free will to obey His holy commands with pleasure for the rest of our lives" (Blessed Diadochos).

"Do not think that virtue exceeds your strength and is impossible for you, but, inspired by faith and boldly making a beginning, show good effort before God, and you will see the help that He will give you for the accomplishment of virtue. Imagine two ladders: one leads to heaven, and the other leads down to hell, and you stand on the ground between these two ladders. Do not think and do not say how I can fly up from the earth and suddenly find myself in heaven, i.e. at the top of the stairs. Just beware of going down doing evil. Try to rise up little by little, doing whatever good you can. Each of your good deeds will be a step upwards. Thus, climbing with God's help from one step to another, you will finally reach the top of the ladder" (Abba Doroth).

"Begin to fulfill the commandments concerning the small, and you will fulfill the commandments concerning the great: the small everywhere leads to the great. Begin to fulfill at least the commandment about fasting on Wednesdays and Fridays, or the tenth commandment concerning evil thoughts and desires, and you will fulfill all the commandments, "but he who is unfaithful in little things is unfaithful" (Rule John Kr).

"Life is a great science that is not easy to study. It is the strait way and the narrow gate. Whoever from childhood has not begun to study the science of life under the guidance of the Gospel, has not learned to believe in God, is not accustomed to reverence Him, does not clearly distinguish evil from good, it will be difficult for him to learn in the subsequent years of life. Although other people will consider him intelligent, will recognize his knowledge and abilities, he may turn out to be a complete ignoramus in the school of life. He may be incapable of either family life or social activities - for example, because of his unaccommodating character or bad habits. It can be wrecked in life, like a ship loaded with goods, which was launched into the open sea without a rudder, tackle and sails" (Right John Kr.).

Works or Faith

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."

(Matthew 5:16).

Two extremes

The centuries-old dispute does not subside; Each of the belligerents is firmly entrenched in its positions and does not yield an inch. The Roman Catholic Church asserts that salvation is the merit of man. By his deeds and labors, a person can not only cover his sins, but also collect a surplus that can benefit others. In support of the correctness of their concept, they cite those passages of Scripture that speak of the need for good works, such as: "We are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has ordained for us to do" (Ephesians 2:10). "I wish that ... those who believed in God tried to be diligent in good works: this is good and profitable for men" (Titus 3:8), and other quotations.

Rejecting this teaching, Protestants teach that all are saved by the merits of one Saviour. The gift of forgiveness of sins and eternal life is received by faith alone, which is quite sufficient for salvation. No good deeds, feats or moral perfection are needed: just believe and you are already saved.

In support of the correctness of their concept, they refer to the following words of the Apostle Paul: "By the works of the law no flesh shall be justified before Him; for sin is known by the law. But now, apart from the law, the righteousness of God has appeared, of which the law and the prophets bear witness, the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ in all and on all who believe, for there is no difference, because all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely, according to his grace, through redemption in Christ Jesus, whom God hath offered as a propitiation sacrifice in his blood through faith, to show His righteousness in the forgiveness of sins committed before, in the time of God's longsuffering, to show His righteousness in the present time, that He may appear righteous and justifying him who believes in Jesus. Where, then, is there anything to boast about? Destroyed. What law? By the law of affairs? No, but by the law of faith. For we acknowledge that a man is justified by faith, apart from the works of the law" (Romans 3:20-28). And further: "Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but only by faith in Jesus Christ, we also believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ, and not by works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified" (Gal. 2:16).