90. Отвержение Христа

People only understand the rejection of Christ when a Christian rejects Christ with his lips and words. And indeed, this is a rejection of Christ, this is a serious and destructive matter, since to renounce Christ is to renounce life and plunge oneself into obvious death. But there is another similar rejection of Christ. It is accomplished by works and lawless living. The apostle speaks of such rejection: “They say that they know God, but deny in deeds, being vile and disobedient and incapable of any good work” (Titus 1:16). There is a rejection of Christ by tongue, and there is also a rejection by deed. Do not flatter yourself, Christian, by saying that you are a Christian if you live lawlessly rather than piously. He who despises a command despises and abandons the commander. He is an unfaithful slave to his master who does not show obedience to him. What kind of servant of Christ is that Christian who does not listen to Christ? “Why do you call Me,” says the Lord, “Lord! God!" “And you do not do what I say?” (Luke 6:46). And he also says: “Whoever is not with Me is against Me” (Matthew 12:30). Every lawless Christian is not with Christ, but against Christ, an opponent of Christ, he has renounced Christ, although he says to Him: “Lord, Lord.” Do you commit fornication, Christian, commit adultery, and otherwise defile your soul and body - you reject Christ. If you hold anger against your neighbor and plan how to harm him, you reject Christ. If you stretch out your hand to steal and rob someone else’s property, you reject Christ. If you flatter, deceive and deceive your neighbor, you reject Christ. If you slander, scold and blaspheme your neighbor, you reject Christ. In a word, by doing every lawless deed against your conscience and with intent, you reject Christ. And as many times you sacrifice to your passionate lust, like an idol, as many times you listen to it. Renounce the lust that persuades you to do evil deeds, and listen to Christ, and you will not renounce Him. It is easy to protect yourself from gold, silver, copper and wooden idols, but it is very difficult to protect yourself from those that are inside us, that is, in our hearts. “Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires” (Gal.5:24). Consequently, those who did not crucify the flesh with its passions and lusts are not Christ’s. And if they are not Christ’s, then think that they are before God? What is their prayer? What is their sacrifice and offering? Oh, how many false Christians there are! How many idolaters are hidden under the name of Christian! A tree is known by its fruit, and a Christian by faith and good deeds. “Show me your faith by your works” (James 2:18), the apostle demands of you, Christian. Convert, Christian, and repent, mortify your flesh with passions and lusts. And may you be a true Christian and have good hope in Christ Jesus. You might be interested in: