DYNAMIS!
A publication of St. George Orthodox Christian Cathedral
Wichita, KS
Philippians 1:27-2:4 (10/16) Epistle for
Friday of the Nineteenth Week after Pentecost
A Martyr’s Heart V ~ Congruent Faith: Philippians
1:27-2:4, especially vs. 27: “Only
let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ....” The
Lord Jesus teaches us to shape our behavior deliberately so that others will
glorify God: “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good work and glorify your Father in heaven” (Mt. 5:16). In the present passage,
It is a given in Orthodoxy that our conduct as Christians
should be congruent with our attitudes, the inclinations of our hearts, and the
whole of our thinking, so that all aspects of our being are in agreement,
functioning with “...one accord...” (Phil. 2:2). Hence, the Old and New Testament Scriptures,
the Holy Fathers, and our present-day clergy and teachers do sternly warn
against hypocrisy, a divided mind, or speaking and acting inconsistently.
For
The Holy Fathers likewise are most sensitive to the way in
which good deeds, undertaken for the Lord, can be manipulated by the demons of
ambition and subtly turned into platforms for personal aggrandizement. Good works carried out initially for
worthy, God-pleasing motives can be totally corrupted by insidious conceit and
pride. Hence, the work within ourselves to control and cleanse our hearts is actually of
greater importance than our tangible, observable behavior. God judged the publican worthy, who
“...would not so much as raise his eyes to
heaven...,” but confessed that he was a sinner. Conversely, the Lord did not justify the
Pharisee for his many good works, because his attitude was smug (see Lk. 18:10-14).
In a second admonition in today’s reading, the
Apostle teaches us, “...not in any way [to be] terrified by your
adversaries...” (Phil. 1:28).
To be terror-free, again, both inner and outer efforts are most
important. Our steadfastness for
the Gospel signals “...proof of perdition...” for opponents of the Faith (vs.
1:28), yet telling those who oppose the Faith that they are 'doomed to hell' is
not our prerogative. God is
the judge of souls. For us, a
consistent, unwavering stance sends the truest and clearest signal for good. And may God help those who ignore His
word.
Finally,
O holy Martyrs who won imperishable crowns and crushed
Satan’s power, pray for us!
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