Господь Иисус Христос говорил ученикам: Больший из вас да будет всем слуга, ибо кто возвышает себя, тот унижен будет, а кто унижает себя, тот возвысится (Мф. 23:11–12). Как часто сбываются эти слова Христовы! Сколько гордых, стремящихся стать выше других, потом падают ниже всех; и сколько смиренных, ничтожных, родившихся в нищете и бедствовавших в начале жизни своей, потом становятся великими людьми. Такова история многих святых.

Господь говорит: Многие же будут первые последними, и последние первыми (Мф. 19:30). Так бывает в жизни, так будет и на Страшном Суде: первые гордые и дерзкие станут последними, а последние – ничтожные и презренные – окажутся первыми.

Мы должны помнить слова святого апостола Петра: Все вы подчиняясь друг другу, облекитесь смиренномудрием, потому, что Бог гордым противится, а смиренным дает благодать (1 Пет. 5:5). Бог смиренным дает благодать. Нам нужно стремиться к смирению, постоянно просить его у Бога.

Господи и Владыко живота моего, дух смиренномудрия даруй ми рабу Твоему! Если человек будет постоянно иметь в памяти эти святые слова, то получит от Бога глубокую добродетель смирения.

7. Спасение – в терпении

"Lord and Master of my life! Grant me the spirit of patience!" After all, the Lord Himself said: "By your patience save your souls" (Luke 21:19). Why is this so? For, says Jesus Christ, strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life (Matt. 7:14). The path of Christian life is the path of suffering and sorrow. In the world, – the Lord warns, – you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world (John 16:33). Only through patience can we save our souls.

The Holy Apostle James says in his Conciliar Epistle: "Receive with great joy, my brethren, when you fall into various temptations, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience; but patience must have a perfect effect, so that you may be perfect in all its fullness, without any lack (James 1:2-4). Hear? Patience makes us perfect, without any flaws. And the holy Apostle Paul writes: "Patience is necessary for you, so that, having fulfilled the will of God, you may receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36) – eternal life, the kingdom of God.

All the Apostles, except John the Theologian, endured many great sorrows, persecutions, persecutions, and in the end a martyr's death (only the Apostle John died a natural death). The signs of an apostle, says the Apostle Paul, have been found before you with all patience, signs, wonders, and powers (2 Corinthians 12:12). But we show ourselves, as servants of God, in great patience in adversity... in straitened circumstances (2 Cor. 6:4). With these words, the great Apostle revealed to all of us the face of the Apostles in great patience. And to his disciple, Bishop Timothy, the Apostle bequeathed: "But thou, O man of God... increase in righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (1 Tim. 6:11). And if the bishop was commanded to excel in patience, then how can we, weak Christians, reject this virtue? "After all, without patience the path to the Kingdom of God is impossible.

How can one acquire patience? You need to get used to endure, try not to grumble, and, of course, ask God for help. If we ask God persistently, then it will be with us according to the word of Christ: "If you, being evil, know how to give good deeds to your children, how much more will your Heavenly Father give good things to those who ask Him" (Matt. 7:11). And patience is the highest good.

The petition for patience is pleasing to the Lord, and God will help every Christian who calls out to Him under the weight of his cross. But evil people who follow the path of sin also ask for help. God will not give them patience: this would mean easing their dark, sinful life. The Lord will help them, but the Lord will help good Christians who humbly walk the path of Christ, because, according to the words of the Apostle, God is faithful, Who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able to do, but when you are tempted He will also give you relief, so that all may endure (1 Cor. 10:13).

Our sorrow is nothing compared to what our Lord Jesus Christ endured for us. Therefore, we must endure much, seeking consolation and looking to the Author and Finisher of faith, Jesus, Who, instead of the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising shame, and sat down at the right hand of the Throne of God. Think of Him who suffered such reproach from sinners, that ye should not faint and faint in your souls (Hebrews 12:2-9).

This is how one should be strengthened, from which one can draw patience endlessly. Look more often at the Holy Cross, the Savior crucified on it, and pray together with St. Ephraim the Syrian: "O Lord and Master of my life, grant me, Thy servant, the spirit of patience. Amen."