THEOSISCyrill of Alexandria
Palladius. How should we view those who aspire to follow God but are not yet fully committed to the task, often stumbling due to weakness and shunning what requires true effort? Cyril. Those who display lethargy and barely grasp the desire to please God, lacking full devotion to the sanctified life, and only investing a small fraction of their inherent diligence and fervor in their love for God, while squandering the rest on the fleeting pleasures of this world, along with fruitless endeavors and burdensome anxieties, are like the descendants of Reuben and Gad mentioned in the Book of Numbers.
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This is illustrated in the account where, after reproaching their fathers for their disobedience and highlighting the consequences that followed, as they "died in the wilderness" and did not witness the Promised Land, further insight is provided. You see that in their pursuit of pasture and livestock, out of affection for their families, they hesitated to cross the Jordan and preferred to abandon warfare altogether, unwilling to share in the future glories and blessings promised to others; they thought it best to remain dry, avoiding the waters of the Jordan. Similarly, many individuals become ensnared by the anxieties of this transient life and, with their hearts inclined solely towards earthly matters, scarcely attend to the truly necessary spiritual concerns or the things of God. As Scripture states, "many are called, but few are chosen." They may be part of the called through faith, yet not among the elect due to their indulgence in pleasure, hesitating even about the grace of holy baptism itself, fearful of undertaking the necessary struggles for the glory of God and their own benefit, as is fitting for the saints, and reluctant to endure persecution alongside God's true followers—if the circumstances were advantageous. Now, let the insightful mind delve into the depths of what has been shared, and you will be struck by the profound beauty of the imagery. Palladius. In what way? Cyril. Those who prioritized care for livestock, children, and homes over their spiritual responsibilities were Reuben and Gad. Palladius. What can we glean from this? Cyril. One was the firstborn son of Jacob, while the other was born to the servant girl Zilpah. Palladius. That is correct. Cyril. Thus, the firstborn in faith, the called, are those who have received God's chosen inheritance to the best of their ability through grace, yet they have not embraced true freedom due to a prevailing inclination toward shameful matters. We reference "the church of the firstborn, enrolled in heaven" as those justified through faith; however, an initial aversion to liberty serves as a companion to those who yield to the disgrace of enslavement. Palladius. You have articulated this excellently.