You have been adopted by God through the sacrament of holy Baptism, you have entered into the closest unity with God through the sacrament of Holy Communion, support adoption, maintain unity. Bishop Ignatius (Brianchaninov) (108, 104).

LIKENESS TO GOD

"A new commandment I give unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another" (John 13:34).

"We know love in this, that He laid down His life for us: and we must lay down our lives for our brethren" (1 John 3:16).

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matt. 11:29).

"If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love, just as I also have kept the commandments of my Father, and abide in his love" (Jn 15:10).

"Christ suffered for us, leaving us an example, that we might follow in his footsteps. He committed no sin, and there was no deceit in His mouth" (1 Pet. 2:21-22).

"Beholding Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith, Who, instead of the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God, consider Him who suffered such reproach from sinners, that ye should not faint and faint in your souls. Ye have not yet fought unto blood, fighting against sin" (Heb. 12:2-4).

"Therefore, as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also 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. 4:1-2).

"To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with Me on My throne, even as I also overcame, and sat down with My Father in His throne" (Rev. 3:21).

He condescended that we might ascend...

Let us be like Christ, for Christ also became like us. Let us become rich in Him, for He also became man for us. He took the worst in order to give the best, He became poor in order that we might be enriched by His poverty. He took the form of a slave so that we might be set free. He condescended that we might be lifted up, He was tempted that we might conquer, He endured disgrace in order to glorify us. He died to save us, He ascended to draw to Himself those who lay on the earth after the fall of sin (11:7).

Those who know the purpose of our calling... we must not listen to theological words in passing, but try to discover the hidden meaning in each utterance and in each word. We are obliged to become like God, as far as it is possible for human nature, but assimilation is impossible without knowledge... (6, 198).

Every action and every word of our Saviour Jesus Christ is a rule of piety and virtue (113:278).