posted April 09, 2013 12:17 PM
The greatness of the gift, and the ease with which it was acquired, ought to have inspired every heart with boundless gratitude for such a God. Instead, mankind was moved to devalue the gift and even to doubt the sincerity of the Giver. So, God, who is ever prepared to make consolations to the weaknesses of his creations, gave men labor, that they might seem to "earn" the good things he wished to give them by the grace of his own goodwill.This would be contrary to his nature and his purposes, except that it was necessary for the sake of winning souls. For men did not value what they acquired without time and effort, but squandered whatever they themselves had not obtained through considerable toil. The greater the sacrifice, the more they valued whatever was obtained by it. To them, the gifts had no lustre of their own, but shined only on account of the gloss of accomplishment which men, faithful to their own ambitions and not to the wonders of God, had succeeded in giving them.
What other remedy could God find, but to make salvation costly; to require of men the sacrifice of what they esteemed most; namely, their own will? For this is the hidden mystery of grace, which is freely given, yet, is more costly than all other things. So that men might know the value of what they themselves cannot acquire, even through the most strenuous of labors, God has placed the one condition upon his love which men could not abide; -- the condition of unconditionality.
Indeed, the arrogance of men could only be revealed and humbled in this most masterful way. Consider the legendary hero, every nerve and muscle strained, prepared to exert himself to the very maximum of his power. See him in the fray, red-faced, fire in his eyes, teeth flashing like a demon's. This is what men admire; not the peaceful monk, practicing stillness, allowing every atom of his being to relax and drop effortlessly into the open arms of God. He is no hero to them, and, yet, his heroism is true, since his aim is not to be admired for some difficult undertaking, but to be obliterated by the grace of God.
Let us admire what cannot be acquired through the most exacting feats of mortal will, but only through the mortification of that will. May we perceive the inestimable worth of that gift which no efforts can purchase, but which may only be obtained by the renunciation of personal honors. That merit is incompatible with credit -- that all the greatest virtues a man may exhibit are granted to him solely by the grace of God, and that it is God alone who infuses and sustains the virtues with his power and his love -- this is the great realization which awaits all seekers of the truth. It is the recognition that truth can only be loved and served for its own sake, and never worn as an ornament to the personal will. It is the revelation that nothing a man may do can ever render him worthy of such a treasure. This, the supreme victory, is enjoyed only by those who accept no credit for it, as a free gift of God, The Most High.
Lindaland
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posted April 09, 2013 12:17 PM