Yes, Kolo, very true. Thanks for "filling in" on this important aspect. I just got trough posting to wmfights and Mark how important it is that we live our faith and not just preach. Real saints don't have to preach anything. Their lives are sermons without words.
The problem with preaching is that, with words, we can create whatever we want others to believe about us. There is simply no way of proving us wrong. Who but the devil could have devised something so appealing to humanity and yet so patently false!?
Apostolic Christianity, especially Orthodoxy, is very Jewish in that, when it comes to faith, we place emphasis on how we live more than what we preach. Doing the mitzvot (God's commandments) as part of our daily life is the whole essence of our faith: forgiveness, mercy, charity, compassion, repentance, etc. are all more important than having memorized all the cherry-picked verses.
In our homiies every Sunday, we are told how to live a virtuous life, based on the life of Chirst, as narrated in the Gospels. It's the message behind the verses read that matter more than the exact words.
I saw the "Fidler on the Roof" the other day (again for the nth time) and couldn't help but chuckle when the local tailor obtained a sewing machine and the whole village came to see it. Then the rabbi showed up and someone asked if if he could bless the sewing machine! Then someone asked, "is there a blessing for a sewing machine?" And the rabbi replied "there is a blessing for everything." This is where we get our mindset. That could have been an Orthodox priest for all you know, and he would have given the same answer!
Boasting with words about the "indwelling spirit" or being the "mouthpiece of God" or being "saved by faith" are just empty words that prove nothing. Words are cheap. Real believers will live a life through which people we recognize Christ in them.
“Then the rabbi showed up and someone asked if if he could bless the sewing machine! Then someone asked, “is there a blessing for a sewing machine?” And the rabbi replied “there is a blessing for everything.” This is where we get our mindset. That could have been an Orthodox priest for all you know, and he would have given the same answer!”
Yup! Why even our computers and fax machine and copy machine and law books and the building itself at our office get blessed, and of course our homes and automobiles. All of Creation is destined for theosis through the Incarnation! Tell me, Kosta mou, why wouldn’t there be a blessing for everything? :)
***Boasting with words about the “indwelling spirit” or being the “mouthpiece of God” or being “saved by faith” are just empty words that prove nothing. Words are cheap. Real believers will live a life through which people we recognize Christ in them.***
Very well expressed, sir.
We are supposed to evangelize; however evangelization by folks such as Jimmy Swaggart takes on an evil hue once the actions of the individual are brought to light and often do more to harm Christianity than help.
The only ones who will "recognize Christ in them" are those whom have been likewise given eyes to see and ears to hear by God alone.
It all gets back to God and His perfect gifts to whom He chooses. He loved us before we loved Him.
If you don't recognize the good fruits of the Holy Spirit, that's quite a loss.
Words are cheap.
Some men's words might be "cheap," but the words of God are not...
Let them not depart from thine eyes; keep them in the midst of thine heart. For they are life unto those that find them, and health to all their flesh." -- Proverbs 4:20-22
"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life." -- John 6:63 "My son, attend to my words; incline thine ear unto my sayings.