correction

It has destroyed me. It has upheld me.

No Christian believing rightly in God should ever be off his guard. He should always be on the look-out for temptation, so that when it comes he will not be surprised or disturbed, but will gladly endure the toil and affliction it causes, and so will understand what he is saying when he chants with the prophet: ‘Prove me, O Lord, and try me’ (Ps. 26:2 LXX). For the prophet did not say, ‘Thy correction has destroyed me,’ but, ‘it has upheld me to the end’ (Ps. 18:35 LXX) — Ilias the Presbyter

Correction or Not?

“The Law, in its imperfection says: ‘Attend to yourself’ (Deut. 4:9). The Lord, in His perfection, tells us to correct our brother, saying, ‘If your brother sins against you, etc.’ (Matt. 18:15). If your reproof, or rather your reminder, can be pure and humble, then do as the Lord commanded, particularly in the case of those who will accept it. But if your progress has not reached this far, at least do what the Law says.” · St. John Climacus

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