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Conviction: I do not love God Part 1

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Inspired by “The Pilgrim Continues His Way”

By Nicholas Damascus

I do not love God..…         

For if I loved God, I would be continually thinking about Him with heartfelt joy.  Every thought would give me gladness and thanksgiving.

 I do not love my neighbor.….

For if I did love my neighbor, his misfortunes and sorrows would distress me and his happiness and joy would bring me delight.  Instead, I give no feeling of well being or gladness towards him with only feelings of contempt and envy.

 I do not have faith in a religious belief…

I don’t believe in immortality nor the gospel, for if I did, my behavior would reflect it.  If I had no doubt that beyond the grave lies eternal life, I would make every effort to transform my life into what my creator’s intention and purpose was for me and not what I have imagined it might be.

The spirits of darkness are better than me, although they do not love God, hate men, and live with pride, yet at least they believe and tremble.

 I am full of pride and sensual self-love….. 

I seek the approval in full view of others to see, flaunting and priding myself on my accomplishments.  I continue to make an idol of myself giving in to continual lusts and deceptive pleasures to fuel my sensual passions.   I show no respect for my fellow man and get angry when they do not agree with me.  I am the epitome of self-adornment, I am the golden calf.

If you wish to save your soul, you must first stop running away from yourself.

Nicholas Damascus
Nicholas Damascus
As an infant, I was baptized as an Eastern Orthodox Christian. However, I would say that becoming a Christian is a work in progress, and I often wonder would there be enough evidence to convict me of becoming a Christian. The Orthodox Church is the ancient Church that Christ and the Apostles established. It is not a religion but rather a way of life. It is not about rules and regulations but rather guide posts to make choices to transition to what we were designed to become. Becoming Orthodox is not a conversion but more so a transformation of self. It’s not about being right: it is about “right being.” In John 14:6, Christ says I am the Way (to love and serve one another), the Truth (there is only one reality), and the Life (that life source is love). I invite you to submit any topics or questions to “Ask An Eastern Orthodox Christian” on the website. Join me in finding our way back home to the original teachings of the Church. When you change the way you look at things, things change the way they look.

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