Prologue in Sermons: October 12

Against the Two False Beliefs of Sinners, Fallen Into the Depths of Evil

October 12*

(The Teaching of the Holy Father Theodore, Abbot of the Studion, Not to Despair of God’s Mercy For the Sake of One’s Sins)

By Archpriest Victor Guryev

Sinners who have sunk to the depths of evil, when it comes to their responsibility before God, generally reason in two ways: some say, "God won't forgive us anyway, and so we must perish together." Others, on the contrary, judge, "God is merciful. He forgives everyone, and He will forgive us." And they make no effort to correct themselves. What do you think, brethren: is this way of thinking just or unjust? No, know that neither is just. And we will prove this to them by our actions.

This is what one of the Holy Fathers, Theodore, Abbot of the Studion, says first to despairing sinners: "Nothing will hinder one who desires salvation, even if before this he has fallen to the uttermost depths of evil. Many can bear witness to this truth. Thus, a certain David was the chief of robbers, considered the first among murderers, and was filled with every evil. But when he repented and became a monk, the Lord not only forgave him, but also showed him to be a miracle worker. And Manasseh, King of Judea, forced the Jews to worship idols for fifty-two years; yet he, too, having repented in his final years, was saved and gave praise to God, which the Holy Church still nurtures. And King David, who fell into the grave sins of adultery and murder, having repented, received the gift of prophecy. Likewise, Mary of Egypt, having become sated with the filth of sin, later attained holiness through virtue and was also granted the gift of prophecy. And many others who had fallen rose through repentance. Therefore, let no one despair, but rather strive to attain salvation through repentance." Thus, brethren, says the Holy Father to despairing sinners.

Now let us listen to what he says to those who say, "It's okay, God will forgive everyone." "Even if you have heard," says Saint Theodore, "that God has forgiven many sinners, then in any case, never think that He will have mercy on all sinners who live in passions. Those mentioned above, having abandoned sin, led an angelic life; but those who live in sin without repentance will be condemned by their conscience and will be condemned in the age to come, and will be tormented without end. We must sigh and weep for such, for nothing can compare to the torments to which sinners will be given over for their sins." These are the words of Theodore to those who say, "It's okay, God will forgive everyone."

So what follows from this? Of course, it follows that sinners who despair of their salvation are cruelly mistaken in their convictions, as are sinners who, despite their lawless and impenitent lives, foolishly hope for God's mercy. But perhaps, brethren, they are merely mistaken. No, know that given their false convictions, given their mistakes, the worst thing for them is that their future fate, under such circumstances, truly becomes worthy of weeping and sighing. For what awaits them beyond the grave? "To those," says the Apostle Paul, "who are stubborn and do not obey the truth, but give themselves over to unrighteousness — wrath and anger" (Rom. 2:8), of such, writes the Apostle Peter, "they will receive the wages of their iniquity" (2 Peter 2:13). And they, finally, according to the word of the Lord Himself, "will be cast into unquenchable fire, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched" (Mark 9:43–44), "and there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth" (Matthew 25:30).

O most merciful Lord! Touch with Your grace the dull hearts of the sinners of whom we have spoken, remove from them the darkness of their minds; lead them out of the terrible state of impenitence, hardness, and recklessness; grant them repentance and correction of their lives, and by these same deeds, save them, O most gracious Lord! Amen.

Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.

 

Notes:

* In the original text, there is no entry for October 12th. There this is the second entry for September 11th.