God has worked with us
The lecture emphasizes that a person cannot walk the path of holiness or attain spiritual perfection by personal strength alone, but depends completely on God’s work and grace. His Holiness Pope Shenouda III explains that the spiritual path is narrow and difficult, and that the weakness of human nature together with the power of Satan’s warfare make God’s help indispensable. He explains that God not only gives the commandment but also grants the strength and grace needed to fulfill it. He also affirms that the Holy Spirit works in the human heart to grant a good will and to lead the person to repentance and steadfastness.
Spiritual Message
The lecture focuses on the importance of communion with the Holy Spirit as the foundation of a life of holiness and spiritual victory. It explains that God continually works in the lives of His children by guiding them, protecting them, strengthening them, directing their steps, and sending His angels to serve and guard them. It also explains that separation from God is the true cause of spiritual failure, while remaining united with God is the secret of success and steadfastness. His Holiness encourages every believer to rely completely on God and not to depend on personal ability or take pride in oneself.
Educational Lesson
The lecture teaches that the initiative in salvation comes from God, for He is the One who calls, justifies, sanctifies, and continually works within the believer. It also emphasizes that the human response to God’s work is essential, because God does not force anyone to walk with Him but lovingly calls everyone and seeks their cooperation. It further explains that true prayer is asking God to work within the person by granting purity, repentance, a new heart, and a right spirit, rather than relying only on human promises and determination.
Practical Application
His Holiness Pope Shenouda III calls every believer to begin every work and every spiritual struggle with prayer, asking for God’s help and guidance. He encourages trust in God’s promises and rejection of despair regardless of sins or temptations, because God’s grace is stronger than human weakness. He also urges believers to preserve continual communion with the Holy Spirit and remain united with God in every aspect of life while continually responding to the work of grace and not resisting God’s call to salvation. He concludes by affirming that God never ceases working for humanity’s salvation, while the role of the believer is to respond and cooperate with this divine work.
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