Resisting doubt

No one has entered the Kingdom of God
through his own efforts alone.

Each one of us must:
1) understand his dilapidated state, his rottenness, his fall, that he is filled with all manner of lies, that his soul is completely disfigured, and so forth;
2) be convinced by bitter experience that he cannot correct himself by means of his own strength, even though he must continually war against his corrupt nature and weep over the wretched state of his soul; and…
3) turn to the Lord like the Publican, 'God have mercy on me a sinner. I am perishing, drowning in my own sins; save me, Lord Jesus Christ, as You save all who turn to You, thieves, publicans, harlots and others.'

God is Love. Through love for fallen humanity, the Lord did not resist making the greatest sacrifice. God the Father sent His Son to suffer crucifixion; God the Son was obedient even unto death on the Cross; God the Holy Spirit does not disdain to enter man's sinful soul to cleanse and save it. What more could the Lord do for our salvation?

'I do not desire,' said the Lord, 'the death of a sinner, but that he should turn to Me and live.' ‘God so loved the world, that He gave His Only-begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ John 3:16.

This means that salvation is given freely to all those who believe in Christ and who ask Him to save them from sin and from eternal torments. In return for repentance from sin, the Lord promises forgiveness and mercy, and if we should ask for something, we will surely receive it, for this is the word of the Lord Himself.

The whole world is created by the word of God; by His word the world is preserved in order and does not revert to a state of chaos. This same word promises the forgiveness of sin and eternal life in return for faith and repentance. This word is confirmed by the Incarnation of the Son of God (the Word of the Gospels) and His sufferings on the Cross.

You believe all this. How is it that you are in despair over your salvation? How can you allow the thought to enter your head that the Lord will send you trials, here or at death, beyond your strength to endure?

No, absolutely not! Your disposition, sickness, despondency, accidie and all the rest are from the Evil One. Don't let him take you in hand. Chase away all these thoughts by calling upon the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ in the manner of the Publican; give thanks to the Lord for everything. Give yourself over to His will and to His mercy, and you will find peace. You are suffering because of your lack of faith. You are so concerned with yourself, with your own sins; you don't think enough about God's love.

You must, on the contrary, first remember God's merciful kindness, His suffering on the Cross for the sake of our salvation, and afterward about your sins. Your sins should be the means of arousing you not to despair, but to the prayer of the Publican.

Take courage! Do not give yourself over to the cunning of the enemies. Despise them, do not converse with them, and remember the Lord, Who saves us.

May the Lord give you wisdom, here and in the life to come.

— Abbot Nikon (Vorobyev) 1894-1963