8. Everyone wanting to understand God’s will must
first deaden the personal will within oneself. Having prayed to God with faith
and simplicity, they must inquire of the fathers and brothers with a humble
heart and without any doubts in their minds. And they should accept their
advices as though they came from God’s lips, even though it might go against
their own understanding of the matter. Those who are guided by this precept are
fully humble and God does not allow them to be deceived. (John Climacus)
8. Some ascertained God’s will in the following
manner. They distanced themselves from all bias toward one or the other side —
arguments for or in opposition to, on a given subject. Having stripped the mind
of its personal will, they submitted to God their topic, with fervent prayers
over a determined period of days. Hence they found out God’s will — either
through what the higher Reason communicated to their mind, or because one of
the possible resolutions had completely lost its meaning to them. (John
Climacus)
8. He, who through enlightenment from above
acquired God within himself, receives quick responses about God’s will, both in
matters that require expedience and those that can wait. (John Climacus)
11. We should test our intentions in all
instances, because God surveys them in all our undertakings. All that is alien
to passion and every type of iniquity, and is done solely for God and not for
the sake of something else, is ascribed to us favorably, even though it may be
imperfect. (John Climacus)
11. There are courageous souls that through their
strong love of God (with a humble heart) undertake deeds beyond their strength.
And there are proud hearts that take on similar tasks through the instigation
of our enemies (demons), because they often cunningly stimulate us into
exertions that are above our capabilities, so that we, not having reached
success, would lapse into despondency and leave even those tasks that are
commensurate to our strength. (John Climacus)
11. I have seen people sick in soul and body who,
because of the multitude of their sins, undertook deeds that were beyond them
and which they could not continue. I said to them that God judges our
repentance, not by the measure of their labors but by the measure of their
humility, accompanied by tears, contrition and turning away from sin. (John
Climacus)
11. Sins and passions are not a part of human
nature, for God is not the Creator of passions. But He implanted into our
nature many virtues, among which the following can be named: mercy (for even
the pagans are compassionate), love (for even dumb animals often weep at the
loss of one another), faith (for it is natural to all people), hope (for when
we lend, sow or labor, we hope to receive a gain from this, and when we travel,
we hope to reach our destination). Hence, if love and virtue is inherent in our
nature — for love is the fulfillment of the law — then it is clear that virtues
are not alien to our make-up. And may those that want to justify their neglect
through feebleness, be ashamed. (John Climacus)
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