God should have been the master of ourselves
When man is redeemed from his self-love, from his turn towards himself, this is salvation. Related though I may be to God and ask for His blessings, his gifts, as long as I turn towards myself and I am my own master, while God should have been the master, I am selfish and conceited. And I will make no progress at all.
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When the weakest, most sinful, most simple-minded man –he, who doesn’t understand or know much– decides to surrender to God’s grace, he’ll be redeemed.
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Truth comes to man by itself; it isn’t found by man. Salvation comes to man by itself; it isn’t found by man. Sanctification comes to man by itself. God provides it and it isn’t found by man himself.
Transcribed talks by Archimandrite Symeon Kragiopoulos
From: Holy Hesychasterion “The Nativity of Theotokos” Publications
God should have been the master of ourselves
