3) which it is in its full perfection.

SECTION I: On the Beginning of the Christian Life through Holy Baptism, with an Indication of How to Preserve This Grace in the Period of Education

HOW DOES THE CHRISTIAN LIFE BEGIN IN US?

We must clarify to ourselves when and how the truly Christian life begins, in order to see whether the beginning of this life has been laid in us, and if not, to know how to lay it down, as far as it depends on us. This is still an indecisive sign of true life in Christ, if someone is called a Christian and belongs to the Church of Christ. Not everyone shall say unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the Kingdom... (Matt. 7:21). And all that are of Israel are not Israel (Romans 9:6). It is possible to be among the Christians and not be a Christian. Everyone knows that.

There is a moment, and a very noticeable moment, sharply marked in the course of our life, when someone begins to live in a Christian way. This is the moment when the distinctive features of the Christian life begin to qualify in him. The Christian life is zeal and strength to abide in active communion with God, through faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, with the help of the grace of God, by the fulfillment of His holy will, to the glory of His most holy name. The essence of Christian life consists in communion with God in Christ Jesus our Lord, in communion with God, which at first is usually hidden not only from others, but also from oneself. The witness to it that is visible, or felt within us, is the heat of active zeal, exclusively for the Christian pleasing of God, with complete self-denial and hatred of all that is contrary to this. Thus, when this fervor of zeal begins, then the beginning of the Christian life is laid; and in whom it is constantly active, he lives in a Christian way.

It is necessary to dwell on this distinguishing feature a little longer our attention.

Thou hast brought fire upon the earth, says the Saviour, and how I would that it should be kindled (Luke 12:49). He says this about the Christian life, and He says it because its visible testimony consists of zeal for pleasing God, kindled in the heart by the Spirit of God, similar to fire, for just as fire consumes the substance in which it is implanted, so zeal for life according to Christ consumes the soul that has received it. And just as during a fire the flame engulfs the entire building, so the perceived fire of jealousy embraces and fills the entire being of man.

In another place the Lord says: Everyone will be salted with fire... (Mark 9:49). And this is an indication of the fire of the spirit, which penetrates our whole being with zeal. Just as salt, penetrating a decomposable substance, protects it from decay, so the spirit of jealousy, penetrating our entire being, expels sin, which corrupts our nature both in soul and body, from all its receptacles and storehouses, and thus saves us from moral corruption and corruption.

The Apostle Paul commands: "Do not quench the Spirit" (1 Thess. 5:19), "Be not slothful, but burn with the Spirit" (Romans 12:11), and commands all Christians to remember that the burning of the spirit, or unslothful diligence, is an inalienable feature of the Christian life. In another place he speaks of himself: "Forgetting the one that is behind, but stretching out in the past, I drive with zeal to the honor of the high calling in Christ Jesus" (Phil. 3:13-14); and inspires others to say, "Thus ye may comprehend" (1 Corinthians 9:24). This means that in the Christian life, as a result of the fervor of zeal, there is a certain rapidity and spiritual liveliness, with which one undertakes God-pleasing deeds, trampling on oneself and willingly sacrificing all kinds of labors to God, without pitying oneself.

Affirming ourselves on this concept, it is easy to conclude that the cold observance of the statutes of the Church, as well as regularity in deeds, established by prudent reason, correctness, sedateness and honesty in behavior, are not yet decisive indicators of what qualifies in us a truly Christian life. All this is good, but as long as it does not carry within itself the spirit of life in Christ Jesus, it has no value before God. Such deeds will then be like soulless idols. And the good clock goes well; But who will say that there is life in them?! So it is here: often they only have a name, that they are alive, while in fact they are dead (cf. Apoc. 3:1). This decency of behavior can most of all lead to deception. Its true meaning depends on internal dispositions, in which significant deviations from the essential truth are possible in righteous affairs. Just as, by outwardly refraining from sinful deeds, one can cherish affection for them or sweetness in one's heart, so equally, by doing righteous deeds outwardly, one can not have a heartfelt disposition towards them. Only true zeal wants to do good in all its fullness and purity, so does sin pursue it to its smallest shades. She seeks the former as her daily bread, and treats the latter as a mortal enemy. The enemy hates the enemy not only in his own person, but hates his relatives and acquaintances, even his belongings, his favorite color, in general everything that in any way reminds him of him. for he is zealous for resolute purity. Without this, how much impurity can lie in the heart!

And what success can be expected when there is no impetuous zeal for the Christian pleasing of God? In what there is no labor, it will still be fulfilled; but as soon as strenuous work or any self-sacrifice is required in something, a refusal will immediately follow, because it is impossible to control oneself. For then there will be nothing to lean on to move oneself to a good deed; Self-pity will undermine all supports. But if any other motive is mixed in besides the above, then it will also make a good deed ungood. The spies under Moses were afraid because they felt sorry for themselves. The martyrs willingly went to their deaths because they were burned by an inner fire. A true zealot not only does what is lawful, but also counsel and every good suggestion that is secretly imprinted in the soul; He does not only do what is imagined, but is inventive for good, all in concern for the only good, lasting, true, eternal. "Everywhere we need," says St. John Chrysostom, "zeal and much kindling of the soul, ready to take up arms against death itself; for otherwise it is impossible to receive the Kingdom" (Discourse 31 on Acts).

The work of piety and communion with God is a difficult and painful matter, especially at first. Where can we find the strength to take up all these labors? With the help of God's grace - in animated zeal. A merchant, a warrior, a judge, a scientist perform a service that is very caring and difficult. How do they support themselves in their labors? - Enthusiasm and love for your work. There is no other way to support oneself on the path of piety. And without this, we will find languor, burden, boredom, and lethargy in the service of God. And the slow-moving goes, but with sickness, whereas for the swift chamois or the agile squirrel movement and passage are pleasure. Zealous pleasing of God is a joyful, spirit-inspiring procession to God. Without it, you can ruin the whole thing. We must do everything for the glory of God, in spite of the sin that dwells in us; And without this, we will do everything only out of habit, according to the requirements of decency, because this has been done for a long time and others do so. Everything must be done; Otherwise, we will do one thing and not another, and moreover without any contrition or even the memory of omissions. Everything must be done with attention and circumspection, as the main thing; Otherwise, we will do as we have to.

Thus, it is clear that without zeal, a Christian is a bad Christian – sluggish, paralyzed, lifeless, neither warm nor cold – and such a life is not life. Knowing this, let us strive to show ourselves to be true zealots for good works, so that we may be truly pleasing to God, having no defilement or blemish, or anything of these.

Thus, a faithful witness to the Christian life is the fire of active zeal for pleasing God. The question now arises, how is this fire kindled? Who are its manufacturers?