“THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH…” Ephesians 3:17.

My beloved brothers and sisters in Christ Our Only True Lord, God, and Savior,

CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.

Prayer for Theosis (Deification)

"That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory,
to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner
man, that Christ MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH
FAITH" [Ephesians 3:17].

Orthodox Christian spirituality is much more profound in its essence and it demands a greater effort, and perhaps an entire life, to obtain it. The ultimate goal of all spiritual activity is union with God, to become one with Christ. The whole Trinity is involved in our theosis (deification): Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

In Orthodox theology, theosis (deification) refers to the process of becoming like God, or "deification," where humans participate in the divine life through UNION WITH CHRIST, essentially achieving a state of communion with God by acquiring divine characteristics through grace, while maintaining the distinct separation between the created and the uncreated nature of God. It is considered the central concept of Orthodox salvation and is made possible through the incarnation of Jesus Christ.

While "theosis" might sound like humans become God themselves, Orthodox Christian theology clarifies that we only participate in the divine energies, NOT the Divine Essence, which remains entirely distinct and inaccessible to humans. Jesus Christ, by His Incarnation is the perfect example of theosis, as He UNITED FULLY DIVINE AND FULLY HUMAN NATURES, demonstrating how humans can be united with God. Theosis (deification) is achieved through the grace of God, given through the Mysteries (Sacraments), especially BAPTISM, and nurtured through PRAYER, VIRTUOUS LIVING, AND COMMUNION WITH CHURCH.

Deification (Theosis) is not a passive state but an ongoing process of spiritual transformation, where individuals strive to develop godly qualities like LOVE, COMPASSION, AND HUMILITY. The Holy Spirit is seen as the ACTIVE AGENT in the process of theosis, DWELLING WITHIN BELIEVERS AND GUIDING THEM TOWARD UNION WITH GOD. Saint Athanasios the Great emphasized the concept of the Incarnation as the foundation for theosis, stating that God became man so that humans could become divine.

The Holy Apostle Paul in his epistle to the Ephesians writes, "For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the INNER MAN, that Christ MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH FAITH; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width, and length, and height–to know the love of God which passes knowledge, that you may be filled with all the FULLNESS OF GOD" [Ephesians 3:14-19].

How do we "comprehend" and "know"? It is something other than a scientific fact or intellectual awareness. It is an apocalypse (revelation), A DIVINE GIFT which illuminates and transforms our intellect; and a preciprical encounter, a personal bond with the personal God, Who reveals Himself to us through COMMUNION WITH HIM. This revelation and personal communion, this faith, is best known "with all the saints," that is, in personal communion with the corporate Church; and through an experience of THE GREAT GIFT OF GRACE, "THE LOVE OF CHRIST." Theological knowledge is first personal and experiential, and then thought out and verbalized. A theologian witnesses to what he knows through experience. The goal of theosis (deification), "that you may be filled with all the fullness of God" is accomplished by THE WORKING TOGETHER, THE SYNERGISM, OF OUR FAITH WITH GOD’S "POWER" AND Spirit "in us ."

There is indeed a great deal more to one’s spirituality than simply going through some pious acts mechanically or superficially. Saint Paul exhorts us, "i..beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called, with all lowliness and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love, endeavoring TO KEEP THE UNITY OF THE SPIRIT IN THE BOND OF PEACE" [Ephesians 4:1-3].

Those outside the Orthodox Church, and many who are not connected with any organized Christian body search for some kind of spiritual life themselves without any Christian knowledge and guidance. I am confident that they truly desire to include God in their lives and seek His aid through prayer. However, although this effort is very commendable and worthwhile, without the support and guidance of the Church their struggle becomes very difficult. It is therefore recommended that they look into the Orthodox Church and become active members of it. By becoming a member of the Church one becomes a member of the body of Christ. Saint Paul says, "There is only one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, ONE BAPTISM, ONE GOD AND FATHER OF ALL, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all" [Ephesians 4:4-6]. Here is the manifold unity of the Church. Christian morality is not based upon ideas but UPON A LIVING REALITY: THE LIFE OF THE HOLY TRINITY IN THE CHURCH.

There are those who treat the Christian faith simplistically with the intent of becoming a Christian without great demands placed upon themselves. A kind of an "instant Christian." A person who is "a free spirit," who applies and interprets Christianity his/her own way. That person is not a true Christian but an imposter. One who genuinely is interested in becoming a Christian must adhere to the authentic and unadulterated teachings of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and His Holy Orthodox Church. The process of Christian growth requires our free-will commitment to walk in "righteousness and holiness." A child of the Light can no longer act as a child of darkness. A change of life-style is possible because of Christ, the original "New man." So Christ must be "learned" and relationship with Him must "be renewed." Further, Christ must be "put on," a clothing metaphor, an allusion relationship and the Baptismal robe. While spiritual grace makes a person heavenly, righteousness is both a gift and a goal, a present reality to be striven for.

No one should trivialize the Christian faith but especially people who profess to be Christian. There are sadly enough people who consider themselves to be Christian but endorse unchristian teachings, immoral behavior, unnatural life-styles, bizarre and strange attitudes, dress and conduct or relationships that reveal spiritual illness. The authentic and genuine Christian is not confused of what it means to be and live as a Christian. The way we live affects our relationship not only with God but also with each other–for in Christ we are "members of one another." The moral standard for the new humanity is the life appropriate to a child of God. For example, Saint Paul emphasizes that Christians must avoid sexaual immorality, not just the act but thinking and talking about it also; and greed, which treats things as if they were gods. Ungodly thoughts as well as behavior can keep believers out of the Kingdom.

Let us pray to the Lord

Kyrie eleison

+In the name of the Father and of the Son and

of the Holy Spirit. Amen.

O Christ our God
At all times and at every hour, in heaven and on earth,
You are worshipped and glorified;
You are long-suffering, most merciful, most compassionate,
You love the righteous and have mercy upon the sinners;
You call every one to salvation
through the promise of future blessings;
Receive, O Lord, our prayers at this hour
And direct our life toward Your commandments.
Sanctify our souls; make our bodies chaste;
Correct our thoughts; purify our intention;
And deliver us from every grief and pain that comes from evil.
Encompass us by Your Holy Angels,
So that guarded and guided by them
We may attain to the unity of the faith
And to the knowledge of Your unapproachable glory,
For You are Blessed unto ages of ages. Amen.

_________
"Glory Be To GOD
For
All Things!"
– Saint John Chrysostomos
+ + +

With sincere agape in His Divine and Glorious Diakonia (Ministry),
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+ Father George