"Since the goal of a virtuous way of life is the very thing you have been seeking, it is time for you noble friend, to be known by God and become his friend.This is true perfection:
not to avoid the wicked life because like slaves we servilely fear punishment nor to be good because we hope for rewards, as if cashing in on the virtuous life by some business like arrangement ...................................................we consider becoming God's friend the only thing worthy of honour and desire.
This is a paraphrase of what was written by Gregory of Nyssa (331-396) one of the great "Fathers" of the Church. it is from a "The Life of Moses" one of his most famous works. I don't think I can put it any better so I won't try. I will however comment on one of the aspects that he also mentions in his texts beyond his comments on friendship with God. This is our role as encouragers and cheerers in the lives of others. To encourage each other in the journey and especially the struggle that comes.
As St Paul says "Beloved I do not consider that I have made it on my own but this thing I do : forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead ( Philippians 3:13). Taking others with us in the process.
Who can you encourage this week in the process of becoming a friend of God, like Moses or David. Not perfect men, but men or women with a desire to know and be known by God.Do you really desire to be a friend of God? Becoming a true son or a daughter or will you settle for one of the slave or business relationships mentioned in the early part of the text?
As with most things it all starts with a simple choice
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