THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
Observe how God has granted freedom to our humanity. Can we not question why the contemporaries of Noah pursued evil and faced judgment, while he, by embracing righteousness and distancing himself from their misdeeds, experienced no such punishment? It is clear that every individual has the capacity to choose between good and evil through their own volition. If this were not the case—if our nature lacked such inherent strength—then there would be no need for accountability for wrongdoers or reward for the virtuous. Yet, because all outcomes, following divine grace, are contingent on our will, those who sin face judgment, while those who uphold righteousness are rewarded.
Conversely, let us recognize that humanity is not utterly lost, nor is our nature wholly corrupt. The Scriptures reveal both the gravity of sin and the value of virtue, and indeed, "Better is one righteous man than a thousand sinners" (Sir 16:3), as it is written: "But Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord." Even amidst rampant wickedness, this righteous man preserved the light of virtue and earnestly urged his peers to abandon their vices, while maintaining his own purity. As the wicked provoked the loving God to anger through their sins, Noah, who cherished virtue, "found grace in the sight of the Lord" (Acts 10:34). When God discovers even a single individual who does what pleases Him, He does not overlook them but bestows His attention upon them, causing them to fervently pursue righteousness amid many temptations toward evil.
With this understanding, let us commit ourselves solely to what pleases God and invokes His favor. We should reject the influence of fleeting friendships or adherence to empty customs that lead us away from virtue. Instead, let us seize God's patience and take advantage of this opportunity by shedding all apathy, cherishing virtue, and detesting vice. If our pursuit of goodness is not fervent and our hatred of vice not profound, we will inevitably encounter its destructive consequences. The nobility of virtue compels us to ardently desire and embrace it. The psalmist has said, "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether; they are more desirable than gold—yes, than much fine gold" (Psalm 18:10, 11). This is articulated not because virtue is merely preferred above all else, but rather to emphasize that nothing of greater value can be found. Thus, it is also noted that virtue is "sweeter than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb." Here, the comparison evokes the idea that no substance is more delightful than honey.
Yet, the greed for wealth ensnares many, leaving them perpetually thirsty for more, akin to a drunkard who, despite consuming wine, becomes ever thirstier. Those who obsess over riches tend to become increasingly consumed by their avarice, ultimately plummeting into moral decay. If such intense devotion to wealth, the root of many evils, overwhelms the greedy, all the more should we hold the judgments of the Lord—greater than "gold and even much fine gold"—in our thoughts, shunning harmful passions. We must recognize that transient pleasures often lead to ongoing sorrow and despair, and not deceive ourselves by believing that this earthly existence is all there is.
While many may verbally affirm the belief in resurrection and eternal rewards, their actions reveal otherwise. If we indeed anticipate resurrection, why then do we obsess over worldly accolades? Why do we exert ourselves to accumulate riches as if they were sand? Why do we engage in practices that lead to the wrongful acquisition of properties, fulfilling the prophetic warning: "Woe to you who add house to house, and join field to field, until there is no room for others" (Isaiah 5:8)? Daily, we witness the absurdity of such pursuits: one laments another's property encroaching upon his light, concocting countless reasons to remove it; another unjustly claims land from a poor person to add to his own holdings. It is particularly disheartening to observe those who, although unable to relocate due to physical limitations or other constraints, still desire to erect monuments to their dishonesty across various realms, burdening themselves with guilt while others enjoy the spoils of their wrongdoing, often even before they depart this life.
What good does wealth do for a person, particularly when their soul hurries away—exposed and empty—stripped bare of virtue? When the final moment arrives, how can one bear the weight of accumulated sins? They will find themselves cast outside the kingdom, burdened with regret, gazing upon the torment prepared for those not aligned with God's righteousness, witnessing the eternal flames and undying anguish. Therefore, if we seek our salvation, let us turn away from sin, pursue virtue, and reject vanity. Vanity is aptly named, for it is temporary and devoid of true substance, a mere illusion that vanishes before it fully appears. Consider how often those who are revered today for their status find themselves hostage to fate tomorrow, imprisoned alongside the guilty.
What is more deceptive than vapid glory? If earthly accolades do not endure, surely death will intervene, abruptly halting one's prosperity. The proud will lie unceremoniously, lifeless and foul, their legacies reduced to ridicule amidst the bittersweet screams of those they scorned and those who sympathized. Nothing is more tragic than such a fate—often, their ill-gotten gains are seized by adversaries, while the sins accrued are carried into judgment. Consequently, let us flee from fleeting honor and embrace our eternal, true glory. May we not be seduced by the love of wealth, consumed by lust, dried up by envy and hatred, or inflamed by anger. Instead, we should quench these vile passions through the Spirit's grace, despising earthly concerns, aspiring towards the eternal promise, and dedicating ourselves to a virtuous life.
We were not placed in this world solely to indulge in food and drink, as life itself is not made for mere consumption, but consumption exists for the sake of life. It is vital that we do not distort this divine order, prioritizing bodily gratification as life’s highest aim; rather, we must recognize the harms these pleasures can inflict. We ought to discipline the flesh, ensuring it does not rebel against the soul.
If Paul, a man of extraordinary stature who transcended the bounds of earthly needs and was privy to revelations divine, proclaimed, "I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor 9:27), how much more should we, steeped in sin and complacency, strive to master our desires? Is there respite from this struggle, or a designated time to lower our guard? We must always remain vigilant and aware, never deeming ourselves immune from the lurking adversary. Thus, let us continually reflect on our salvation, striving to remain undefeated and to receive mercy through God’s boundless grace, together with Christ, and to the Father, with the Holy Spirit, be glory, strength, and honor, now and forever. Amen.
Have you grasped, from all that has been shared, the immense mercy and patience of God? Have you perceived the escalation of wickedness in human hearts during Noah’s time and recognized the virtue of a righteous man amidst such corruption? How did he endure, untouched by the wickedness of his peers, unharmed by their collective scorn? He stood firm as a skilled helmsman, skillfully steering his vessel through the tumultuous waves of immorality, rising above the storm, and saving himself from the impending deluge destined for all the earth. Such is the nature of virtue: it remains immortal and unconquerable, impervious to life’s trials, standing tall, viewing all human misdeeds from a lofty height.
Just as a sturdy rock stands firm against the crashing waves, so too does a virtuous soul remain serene amidst worldly chaos, reflecting on the swiftly passing moments of life as inconsequential as fleeting river currents. The tides of life may swell to impressive heights only to diminish suddenly, and we witness those dedicated to vice face brief triumphs, only to be humbled by hardship. The angelic Psalmist remarked, "Do not be afraid when a man becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases; for when he dies, he will carry nothing away" (Psalm 48:17, 18). He wisely counsels against being daunted by the excesses of wealth and transient glory. In due time, you will witness such individuals lifeless on the ground, not only devoid of physical glory but unable to take anything with them, departing empty-handed except for the sins amassed over their lifetime.
Contrarily, virtue enriches us even in this life, granting us fulfillment and lifting us above challenges. It remains with us even in death, especially on that dreadful day of judgment, providing crucial aid and favor from our Judge. Not only does it elevate us amid trials, but it also frees us from eternal torment, bringing profound joy and unspeakable blessings. To affirm this truth, let’s consider Noah at a time when the Lord declared judgment upon humanity in light of their escalating wickedness, proclaiming, "I will destroy mankind whom I have created from the earth." In displaying His authority, He pronounced condemnation not only upon humanity but upon all creatures. However, to illustrate His merciful nature and prevent the notion of total annihilation, He preserved Noah—a solitary glimmer of hope for redemption—and in doing so, demonstrated the boundless mercy inherent to God's nature. "But Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord."
The precision of Scripture teaches us that each syllable bears significance. Having revealed the severity of human sin and the consequent punishment for it, the Word simultaneously showcases a righteous man capable of maintaining virtue amidst widespread corruption. While virtue inherently commands admiration, witnessing it thrive against all odds is even more remarkable. Hence, the Scripture expresses awe at Noah, stating that amidst a world deserving of divine disfavor, "Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord." The phrase "found grace," specifically denoting "before the Lord God," emphasizes that Noah’s focus centered on divine approval, valuing neither human admiration nor scorn but rather seeking favor from the one true Eye that watches.
It is reasonable to understand that, in his determination to pursue virtue against all odds, Noah faced considerable derision. The wicked consistently scorn those who strive to live righteously, just as occurs today. Many, overwhelmed by mockery and choosing fleeting human accolades over enduring divine approval, find themselves led astray into the darkness of sin. A soul imbued with courage and steadfastness alone can withstand the seduction of evil and prioritize the gaze of God above human opinion.
How often, when faced with the slight ridicule of a few, do individuals capitulate to the pressure, leading them to compromise their values? The wise Sirach states, "There is a shame that leads to sin" (Sir 4:25). Ignoring slander and mockery is no trivial feat. Nonetheless, Noah demonstrated extraordinary resilience; he disregarded not only a few critics but the collective jeers of multitudes. One can only imagine the extent of their ridicule, seeking to cast him down. Yet virtue, when beset by malice, gleans strength from the very attacks levied against it. History is replete with such examples, urging us to recognize that while the wicked may achieve shallow victories, those who embody virtue are ultimately exalted.