“As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in His love. John 15:9-10
“If men are in a state in which they find it hard to be weaned from their own ways and choose rather to serve the pleasures of the flesh than serve the Lord, and refuse to accept the Gospel life, there is no common ground between me and them. In the midst of this disobedient and gainsaying people I have been taught to hear the words, “Save thy own soul.” Do not then let us consent to perish together which such sinners…But we ought to testify to them day and night, alike in public and in private. Let us not consent to be drawn away with them in their wickedness. Let us above all pray that we may do them good, and rescue them from the snare of the evil one. If we cannot do this, let us at all events do our best to save our own souls from everlasting damnation.”
Basil the Great (330-379) in Letter CCXVII “To Amphilochius, on the Canons” excerpt from LXXXIV of in A Select Library of Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers of the Christian Church, ed. Henry Wace and Philip Schaff, Volume 8 (Oxford: James Parker, 1895) 259.
In my recent walk through the early church fathers, I have decided to explore the four doctors of the Western Church and the four doctors of the Eastern Church as I prepare to head east to teach in South Korea for a couple weeks. After finishing the doctors, I will shift my attention back to contemporary writers.
In this excerpt, Basil the Great has commented on a series of sins and how they should be addressed in the church. Near the end of his letter, he spells out what he believes is going on. The people have not been weaned from the ways of the flesh to serve the Lord and accept the Gospel life. I found this expression quite profound.
To wean us from something is to stop it and shift to something else. In biblical terms, we must “remain” or “abide” in the love of Christ.
As we seek to grow in generosity we must realize that it’s not about doing more or giving more, it’s about weaning ourselves off the world’s way of thinking and living, which pursues the desires of the flesh, and choosing to obey Gospel instructions, regardless of how crazy they might sound. Jesus’ instructions linked to money are explicit, but not harmful.
That means they are clear and life-changing, but not for our demise. At every turn when Jesus calls us to let go of material possessions. He does this not for our destruction, but so we can take hold of Him. If you have grasped this truth, testify to others day and night, but whatever you do, don’t be swayed to rationalize disobedience as acceptable behavior. It’s not the Gospel life!
I feel the Lord reminded me this morning through Basil’s words that regardless of what everyone else is doing, we must obey, testify to the truth day and night, and do good to others.