THEOSISJohn Chrysostom
As long as he did not engage in the deeds of Abraham, he was identified simply as Zacchaeus, not the son of Abraham. However, once he demonstrated the actions characteristic of the patriarch, showing compassion towards the needy and distancing himself from wrongdoing, the Lord declared, ‘and he is the son of Abraham.’ Likewise, dear brethren, if we claim to be Christians, we must recognize that our deeds of righteousness are what truly identify us as followers of Christ. Therefore, let us not tarnish our name through our actions, but rather enhance our faith with them. We are called sons of Abraham through our faith; thus, let us strive to fulfill this designation through our deeds. I have previously noted that this does not demand noble lineage, but rather a commitment to virtue.
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This is why Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the patriarchs distanced themselves from the synagogue—because those within it had not inherited the faith of their ancestors. Abraham separated from his descendants because they did not adhere to his faith, and Isaac and Jacob followed suit, for those who forsake God are rejected by all creation.
But how can we substantiate that Abraham distanced himself from the Jews, lest it seem we speak out of spite rather than in genuine correction for transgressions? The blessed Jeremiah speaks for the people, saying, ‘Lord, have mercy on us; the mountain and the city which our fathers blessed is burnt with fire; Thou, Lord, have mercy on us, "Abraham recognizes us not, nor Israel acknowledges us as his own; Thou, Lord, art our Father" (not Jeremiah, but Isaiah 63:16).’ The Jews lament, ‘Those who once elevated us have estranged themselves and turned away from our kin; have mercy on us, Thou who conquers all through Thy humanity.’ Have mercy on us, ‘for Abraham will not recognize us.’ Abraham disowns those who are foreign to him in spirit, yet acknowledges those who may differ by lineage but share his piety.
In this context, Scripture conveys to the Jews that one’s identity is determined by their moral character: ‘Thy father is an Amorrhea, and thy mother Hittite, ... thy sister ... is Sodom’ (Ezekiel 16:3, 46). Observe how kinship is defined by conduct. Since you have embraced the ways of Sodom, you are thus labeled Sister of Sodom, daughter of the Canaanites; this illustrates that it is not lineage that justifies, but rather one's disposition that dignifies. I believe even the Canaanites and Amorites would reject such kinship; faced with God-fearing individuals, they would disavow them, and the Canaanites would not take pride in being associated as the progenitors of the wicked.
Consider this: if you were to tell a Canaanite that a Jew is descended from them, the Jew might retort, ‘I am not an infidel, even though I am a Canaanite; the testimony of my faith is the Canaanite woman who cried out, "Have mercy on me, O Lord, son of David" (Matthew 15:22).’ Let us not designate those who have failed to uphold the faith of the Canaanite woman as sons of the Canaanites! We must rather identify those who attribute their heritage to inanimate objects, declaring to the rock, ‘You have begotten me,’ and to the tree, ‘You are my father’ (Jeremiah 2:27). Yet I believe the stone would refuse such claims, and the tree would disown their association with the faithless.
A stone may well object and declare, ‘My child is not a child of wickedness, nor is my descent one of unrighteousness; although I am but a stone, I recognize that Scripture states, “God is able of these stones to raise up children to Abraham” (Matthew 3:9).’ This indeed implies that even stones are personified in Scripture. The prophet observes, ‘The stones of the walls shall cry out, and the rungs of the wood shall answer’ (Habakkuk 2:11). If you remain silent, the stones will shout in praise (Luke 19:40). What shall we label the lineage of the faithless, if they are neither children of Abraham, nor Canaanites—since the Canaanite woman rebukes their disbelief through her vibrant faith—nor even offspring of stones? For even the stones reject their kinship with them. What designation, then, remains for the unfaithful? Jeremiah has provided them a name: ‘Rejected silver,’ he states, “they shall call them, for the Lord has rejected them” (Jeremiah 6:30). Let us also be cautious, dear brethren! Are you adorned by your connection to Christ? May the righteous judgment of Christ inspire a healthy fear in you.