God is fire, warming and igniting the heart and
inward parts. So, if we feel coldness in our hearts, which is from the devil
(for the devil is cold), then let us call the Lord: He, in coming, will warm
our heart with perfect love, not only towards Himself, but to our neighbors as
well. And the coldness of the despiser of good will run from the face of His
warmth.
Where there is God, there is no evil. Everything
coming from God is peaceful, healthy and leads a person to the judgment of his
own imperfections and humility.
God shows us His love for man not only in those instances
when we do good, but also when we affront Him with our sins and anger Him. With
what longsuffering he bears our lawlessness! "Do not call God a rightful
Judge," says St. Isaac, "for His rightful judgment is not seen in
your deeds. True, David called Him a righteous judge and rightly, but the Son
of God has shown us that God is good and merciful even more. Where is His
righteous judgment? We were sinners, but Christ died for us" (St. Isaac
the Syrian, Word 90).
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