91. Раб, знающий и не знающий воли господина своего

It happens in the world that some slaves know the will of their master and do not do it, while others do not know and do not do it. And for this they accept punishment from their master. He who knows the will of his master and does not do it is punished severely, but he who does not know and does not do it is punished less, as the Lord says: “The servant who knew the will of his master, and was not ready, and did not do according to his will, will be beaten much; But whoever did not know and did something worthy of punishment will receive less punishment” (Luke 12:47–48). Such are pagans and Christians before Christ the Lord. The pagans who do not know Christ the Lord do not know His will and do not do it, and in the next century they will be punished less than the evil Christians. Christians know Christ who came into the world, and they always hear the preached word of God, and in it the will of Christ their Lord, but they do not want to do it. Therefore, in the next century they will be tormented cruelly, and more than the pagans, idolaters and Turks. Woe then will be the Christians who know Christ, but do not do the will of Christ! Then they will hear from Christ: “I tell you, I don’t know you, where you come from; Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity" (Luke 13:27). And it is said about this “that on that day it will be more bearable for Sodom than for that city” (Luke 10:12), that is, for those who do not know God and do not hear God’s word, but for the lawless, it will then be more bearable than for the lawless Christians who hear God’s word and confess God in words, but deny Him in deeds. “Not everyone who says to Me: “Lord! God!" He who does the will of My Father in heaven will enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 7:21). Repent, Christian, and do the will of Christ, Who suffered and died for you, so that you will no longer be condemned by the pagans on the Day of Judgment. You might be interested in: