“…If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” (2 Cor 5:17)
To live in Christ means we will need to go through a complete change, and do this through the very means of change, which is to repent—not just of our deeds and actions, but even more deeply of our mind and inner self. We need to leave our lesser human condition to which we have become so accustomed. Our present condition is not in harmony with the full Icon and Likeness of Christ, and yet all those in Heaven have become new creatures, truly remade by Him.
We need more than a little make over, or just stopping outward actions or even thoughts, but to be so remade that His icon shines within us. This is the great calling of those who seek to live in the bright light of Godliness. Unless our dross is burned off and the disintegrated parts of who we are become whole and reintegrated again, we will not be able to reflect God’s Glory, and yet Heaven is completely filled with this Glory. God has called us to journey beyond our small vision and ways and become new.
May the Lord Who knows all of our limitations and sins, all of our imperfections and weaknesses, all of our wrong thinking and our still contracted heart, come near and heal all that which is lacking so we can live with Him, love Him, and enter His Heavenly Kingdom. Amen.
The Monastics at St. Isaac of Syria Skete
and at the Convent of St. Silouan
and the Faithful at St. Nicholas Church
and the Staff at Orthodox Byzantine Icons and St. Isaac’s Bookstore.