THEOSISGregory the Great
Do you believe that a person who has died can come back to life? (Job 14:14) This dilemma is often reflected in the demeanor of the righteous. Although they have a deep conviction regarding their faith, they might occasionally voice uncertainty, almost to articulate the concerns of the vulnerable. By doing so, they aim to engage empathetically with those who doubt, showing compassion towards their struggles. Subsequently, they provide a strong affirmation to reassure the doubters, guiding them towards the steadfast foundation of faith. This practice mirrors the example set by our Lord. In the moments leading to His suffering, He voiced the concerns of the weak by saying, “My Father, if it be possible; let this cup pass from me” (Matthew 26:39).
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Yet, to alleviate their fear, He embraced their weakness while reaffirming His obedience: “Nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.” Likewise, when confronted with peril, we are encouraged to express our fears humbly while also being resolute in accepting the will of God, even when it challenges our own desires.
In this manner, the strong sometimes adopt expressions of frailty in order to make their profound messages more accessible to those in need. This resonates in the words of blessed Job, who, despite his apparent questioning—“Do you think a dead man can live again?”—immediately follows with a statement of his unwavering faith: “All the days that I am now in military service, I will wait until my change comes to me” (Job 14:14). His eager anticipation of transformation reveals the depth of his faith in resurrection, illustrating how purposefully he assesses his transient existence by likening it to military service. Every passing day brings him closer to the fulfillment of his military duty, a task eagerly awaited to reach completion. In this perspective, he views the challenges of this life with disdain, seeking instead the unchanging reality of eternity, recognizing that while he is engaged in a mutable existence, he yearns for the ultimate change that leads to immortality.
For the righteous, the burden of corruption is profoundly weighty. The strains of vigilance lead to exhaustion, and in search of respite, they pursue sleep, which, when elusive, may even lead to lethargy. Hunger afflicts the body, leading them to seek nourishment, yet often even the food they acquire can feel heavy, rather than providing relief from weakness. Thus, the weight of corruption becomes an overwhelming load. Were it not so burdensome, Paul would not have articulated that “the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God” (Romans 8:20-21). Indeed, we know that “the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now” (Romans 8:22). Therefore, let the holy individual, yearning for the state of incorruption, proclaim: “All the days that I am now in military service, I shall wait until my change comes.” He then elaborates on this transformation.