His Holiness Pope Shenouda III speaks about comparing the human being to a tree, explaining that the true person in his spiritual life should be like a living, fruitful, and beneficial tree, steadfast in the Lord and nourished by the work of the Holy Spirit. He explains that a person’s steadfastness in God is the source of his spiritual life and continuous growth.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III confirms that the fruitful tree needs living water, meaning the work of the Holy Spirit that waters the soul and grants it continuous spiritual life. He also explains that a person must continuously grow in virtue and in life with God, because stopping growth is a sign of weakness in spiritual life.

He also explains that fruit is not merely an outward existence of faith, but rather real works that appear in a person’s life, speech, behavior, and dealings with others. He explains that the fruits of the Spirit such as love, joy, peace, meekness, and purity are the true sign of the presence of God in a person’s life.

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III also discusses that a person is known by his fruits, whether from his speech, dealings, service, or spiritual influence on others. It is also possible to distinguish between the good teacher and the unsound teacher through the fruits of teaching and its effect on souls.

He also confirms that God gave man all the means of grace and salvation through commandments, sacraments, the grace of the Holy Spirit, and Church care, and He waits for man to offer good fruit worthy of these divine gifts.

He also explains that true faith cannot be separated from works, and that mere speech, appearances, or even gifts and miracles are not sufficient for salvation if there is no true fruit and holy life according to the will of God.

Spiritual Message

The main message of the lecture is that the Orthodox believer must be a living and fruitful spiritual tree, showing his faith in his good fruits, holy works, and purity of heart, because a person is known before God and people by the fruits of his life.

Faith Dimension

His Holiness Pope Shenouda III focuses on:

• Steadfastness in God as the source of spiritual life.
• The work of the Holy Spirit in man.
• The importance of continuous spiritual growth.
• The necessity of practical fruits for faith.
• Distinguishing between good fruit and bad fruit.
• That salvation is connected to holy living and doing the will of God.

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