Becoming a Community of Disciples

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Becoming a Community of Disciples

together with all his advice and persuasiveness out of the sight of his heart, casting him to naught; and has grasped his infantile thoughts, and hurled them against Christ (Pss 14:4; 136:9). 29 These are they who, fearing the Lord, are not elated over their own good observance; rather, knowing that the good which is in them comes not from themselves but from the Lord, 30 they magnify (Ps 15:4) the Lord who works in them, saying with the Prophet: Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give the glory (Ps 115:1). 31 In this way the Apostle Paul imputed nothing of his preaching to himself, but said: By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor 15:10). 32 And again he says: He who glories, let him glory in the Lord (2 Cor 10:17). 33 Hence also the Lord says in the Gospel: He who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house upon rock: 34 the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon that house, and it did not fall; because it was founded upon rock (Matt 7:24–5). 35 With these admonitions concluded, the Lord is waiting daily for us to respond by our deeds to his holy guidance. 36 Therefore, in order that we may amend our evil ways, the days of our lives have been lengthened as a reprieve, 37 as the apostle says: Do you not know that the patience of God is leading you to repentance? (Rom 2:4). 38 For the loving Lord says: I do not desire the death of a sinner, but that he should be converted and live (Ezek 33:11). 39 Therefore, brothers, having asked the Lord who is to dwell in his tent, we have heard his commands to those who are to dwell there: it thus remains for us to complete the duties of those who dwell there. 40 Therefore our hearts and bodies must be prepared to fight in holy obedience to his commands. 41 And for that which is hardly possible to us