THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
However, He states that in order to prevent outsiders from thinking that I lack power, I forgive your transgressions and grant you salvation.
Although I acknowledge my sinful nature and am burdened with countless wrongdoings, I trust that You will not allow us to be lost, so that Your name does not suffer disgrace. Thus, as expressed in Ezekiel, “I will not act for your sake, O house of Israel, but for the sake of My holy name, which you have dishonored among the nations.” This implies that we have no merit for salvation and should not anticipate good outcomes based on our actions; rather, we hope for salvation solely for the honor of Your name.
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If humility can lead to righteousness for sinners, even beyond mere humility, through authentic self-awareness, how much greater can the effect of humility be for the righteous? Therefore, do not squander your efforts; ensure that your toil does not go unrecognized, and do not run a great distance only to miss the reward. The Lord comprehends your worth far better than you do. When you offer even a cup of cold water, He will regard it with favor. Should you present a single egg or even let out a sigh, He will accept it gratefully, remembering it and bestowing significant rewards for it. Why then, do you dwell upon and display your virtues? Do you not realize that self-praise will lead to divine disregard? Conversely, if you humble yourself, He will exalt you in due time. He desires not to diminish the rewards of your efforts. Rather than seeking to lessen their significance, He orchestrates everything to honor you, even for the smallest acts, and looks for every reason to save you from perdition. This is why, even if you labor only during the last hour of the day, the Lord will grant you a complete reward. For although you may feel unworthy of salvation, He declares, “I do it for Myself, that My name may remain untarnished.” Even your sighs and tears will be taken up by Him as opportunities for your redemption. Therefore, let us maintain humility and consider ourselves undeserving, so we may be of service. If you regard yourself as worthy of acclaim, you become unworthy, even if in reality you are deserving; conversely, if you see yourself as unworthy, you will attain worthiness, even if you do not truly merit it. For this reason, it is best to forget one’s good deeds.