People, Both the Uneducated and Those Living in the World, Can Be Saved
February 19
(Homily of Saint Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the fear of God.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
February 19
(Homily of Saint Gennadios, Patriarch of Constantinople, on the fear of God.)
By Archpriest Victor Guryev
Some among the common folk, lazy concerning the work of their salvation, when spoken to about salvation, wishing to justify their negligence, exclaim:
“I am simple and ignorant; I know nothing!”
Others say:
“I have a wife and children; necessities overwhelm me — I have no time for salvation!”
Let us see, brethren, whether this is truly so.
Why do you trouble yourself, O man, seeking many books that instruct you in what is beneficial, and going to every teacher saying: “Teach me how I may be saved”?
Behold — there are two books that teach salvation: the fear of God and attention to oneself. Read them, and you will understand all the commandments of God.
By acting thus, the saints pleased God with a pure mind and a virtuous life.
Some of them had neither books nor teachers — yet they were saved.
Tell me: how did Abel, Enoch, Noah, Melchizedek, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and the other righteous ones who lived before Moses please God? They knew no books, had no teachers, but always had God before their mind.
Likewise, in the New Testament many saints were from simple people: some shepherds, others ordinary folk, and only a few from the noble classes — yet all fled to God and were saved.
Do not excuse yourself, therefore, O simple man, saying:
“I am ignorant and cannot keep the commandments of the Lord.”
Do not say this — rather ask help from God, and He will help you.
And do not say:
“I live in the world and therefore cannot fulfill all God’s commandments.”
It is possible, even while living in the world, to fulfill them.
Some of the saints lived with wives and children, in wealth and in large houses. Others among them had many cares and sorrows about earthly matters — yet in all things they pleased God. Such were Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They lived in the world and with wives — and were saved, for they fulfilled all the Lord’s commandments.
Therefore, brethren: even being illiterate and living in the world with wife and children — one can be saved. You have now heard this and can be convinced of it.
So do not say that you are uneducated and therefore cannot be saved. And do not say that because you live with wife and children you are far from salvation. All these are not excuses, as the facts have shown, but empty words.
Let each perform the works of the calling in which God has placed him. Be pious and loving toward mankind; labor for the glory of God, for the benefit of your neighbors, and for the salvation of your soul — and you will be saved.
But if you speak only empty words and do not abandon evil deeds and your evil will, then regardless of whatever rank you hold, you will inevitably perish. Amen.
Source: Translated by John Sanidopoulos.
