THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Consider, dear friends, how the just man, in a moment, reaps the rewards of all time past, fulfilling the words of Christ spoken to His followers: “And whosoever shall leave houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My name's sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and shall inherit eternal life” (Matthew 19:29). Reflect on how this just man, obediently following the Lord’s command, forsook his homeland and chose a foreign land instead. He demonstrated remarkable patience within himself, gradually ascending to extraordinary heights of virtue, earning such glory that his descendants became as numerous as the stars. In truth, he received not just a hundred times his sacrifice but ten thousand times more.
Read more (640 words)
If he was granted such immense rewards in this life, what can be said about the blessings awaiting him in the next? When we hear that all the righteous, from then until now and into the future, pray to dwell within the embrace of this forefather, can we envision a greater honor than this? Do you perceive the significance of patience, the essence of virtue, the depths of piety, and the profound gratitude for the Lord’s gifts? Because this man continually offered himself as a sacrifice and embraced all circumstances with thankfulness—both joyful and sorrowful—the merciful God bestowed upon him the highest and most coveted blessings.
Observe how God tested the virtue of this righteous man for twenty-four years; when he departed from Harran in obedience, he was, as it is said, seventy-five years old, and now, upon receiving the pledge of Isaac, he was now a hundred. Let us, beloved, learn to cultivate immense patience and not lose heart in our good deeds. Let us remember that our generous and compassionate Lord rewards our humble efforts with abundant blessings, not only preparing us for eternal gifts in the age to come but also providing us comfort in our earthly weaknesses, giving us many blessings. Throughout this period, the forefather endured numerous trials, yet each sorrow was accompanied by consolation. The Lord, in His care for our frailty, does not burden us with relentless tribulations. Rather, He swiftly brings us His assistance, fortifying our hearts and uplifting our spirits; He does not leave us in comfort too long—lest we become careless and sway towards evil. Human nature tends to forget its nobility when indulged in excess, and therefore, as a loving Father, He occasionally grants us favor and at other times disciplines us, guiding us towards the salvation of our souls.
Just as a physician does not always prescribe a limited diet nor grant unrestricted indulgence for a patient, so God, knowing what is beneficial for each of us, sometimes allows us to experience prosperity yet at other times subjects us to trials. For those who are virtuous, facing temptation only enhances their glory and bestows greater grace from on high; but for sinners, like us, when we encounter trials, we humbly accept them, thus lifting the heavy burden of our sins while receiving significant forgiveness. Therefore, I implore you, in light of the wise providence of the Healer of our souls, let us refrain from questioning His judgments. If our understanding falls short, we should exalt His plans and worship Him for all things, recognizing that we serve a Master whose Providence surpasses human comprehension. We do not know what is genuinely beneficial for us as He does; we are not as invested in our salvation as He is, and He orchestrates all things to lead us to virtue and rescue us from the grips of the evil one. When He discerns that prosperity does not serve our ultimate good, like the finest physician who, perceiving a patient’s overindulgence leads them back to health through restraint, the marvelous Healer of our souls introduces trials to help us recognize the pitfalls of perpetual ease. Once He sees that our spiritual health is restored, He liberates us from our trials and generously displays His providence.
Thus, if those who lead righteous lives encounter temptations, they should remain undaunted and nurture hopes of the crowns and rewards that await them through the trials. If those entrenched in sin endure hardships, they should not despair, for such trials can serve to cleanse their transgressions, provided we accept all occurrences with gratitude. A faithful servant ought to express thanks to their Lord not only in times of ease but also in moments of distress. In this manner, our forefather Abraham was glorified, gaining such boldness before God that he received gifts surpassing human capability.