THEOSISGregory the Great
This is the inheritance designated for the wicked by God, and the legacy of his words decreed by the Lord. For if he had pursued righteousness in this life, he would have received his ‘inheritance’ in communion with the Lord within the heavenly kingdom. However, because he opted to follow after sinful desires, his ‘inheritance from God’ will be in suffering, for he did not seek to obtain his inheritance through the grace that comes from the Lord. He articulated this truth well, as the legacy of his words stems from the Lord. When burdened by the severe consequences of his wicked actions, he mistakenly believed he would escape judgment for his spoken words.
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Yet, when the rigid justice of Almighty God demands retribution from lost souls for their deceitful deeds, He metes out punishment for their wickedness, including the very words they have uttered, ensuring that those who owe a debt for significant offenses face their penalties down to the last coin. For they have tolerated even the slightest evil within themselves, thus inviting greater wrongdoing. The saints seek not an inheritance from the Lord; rather, they desire the Lord Himself as their portion. This is why the prophet prays, stating, "My God is my portion for ever." The wicked man, however, failing to strive for the Lord as his portion, finds himself with fire as his ‘inheritance,’ separate from the Lord’s presence. Being unable to find joy in Him, he is tormented, cut off from Him. Sophar, in his discourse, directed his words against the hypocrites as if they were aimed at the life of the blessed Job, presuming that one afflicted by the Lord could not possess a sincere heart while doing good. He judged Job, whom he saw suffering, as deserving of God's wrath. The friends of blessed Job also reflect the nature of heretics, as they, upon seeing some within the Holy Church who live righteously yet endure suffering, mistakenly conclude that these individuals lack merit in their good deeds and label them as wicked for experiencing trials in accordance with God's will. Unaware that "Many are the afflictions of the righteous," and that "He chastens every son whom He receives," they misjudge the faithful. Nevertheless, blessed Job conforms to the traditions of the Holy Church, enduring with patience the harsh words from the cunning, and when confronted with the prideful, he remains steadfast in humility, responding with a profound humility of spirit, saying: