The fullness of life is knowing ourselves, and giving back to others. When we don’t forgive ourselves for falling short, we blame others. Insecure and unworthy, we reject the love and friendship of others, thinking ourselves unworthy, if they knew the truth. We are fraudulent. We lie to ourselves, and to others. We tell lies big and small, and ultimately, we lie to God. We live in fear that we will be found out, and mask the truth by being critical of others. We seek authority over others, because we are not authentic, and we have no integrity.
“But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For it is written: ‘As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.’ So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way (Romans 14:10-13).”
With love in Christ,
Abbot Tryphon