On Self-Reliance

Source: Orthodox Life, Vol. 47, No. 5, September-October 1997, pp. 15-16.

 

 

The Apostles propagated the Faith everywhere, they organized and established church communities. However, in all of their great deeds, they did not credit anything to themselves, but in everything acknowledged the working of God's Grace. They would say it was not they who labored, but rather the Grace of God which was with them. Here is what Apostle Paul says about himself in the Epistle reading we heard: I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the Grace of God which was with me (I Cor. 15:10).

Let us learn from their example, and in every good deed acknowledge God's power, and in no way depend upon ourselves.

It is not enough for a plant to be rooted in soil, but it also needs sunlight and to be irrigated by the rain; otherwise, it will not grow and will not bear fruit. Likewise, for the successful completion of our deeds, blessing from above is always needed. A person gathers all the resources for the success of his undertaking, so that by all accounts a good end seems imminent after such a good beginning. However, suddenly an unexpected change in circumstances ruins all hopes and wrenches success from his hands, as a sudden head of water ruins a strong bulwark, or as a powerful storm topples big trees.

The more God's help is needed, the more dangerous self-reliance becomes. Within our sinful nature hides the inclination to self-delusion, by which man considers some of his successfully accomplished deeds as great struggles, and considers his weak powers sufficient for truly difficult undertakings. One meets such proud hypocrites who think of themselves as saints, and are not ashamed to pose as great ascetics.

…Neither let the mighty man glory in his might (Jer. 9:23). The wealth of Grace which strengthens the soul is inexhaustible, the power of Jesus’s name is insurmountable, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). Man is truly poor and unfortunate if he calls his poverty wealth. The enemy of mankind easily notices the isolation of the soul which is blinded by self-reliance and skillfully robs it of all that had been gained by the self-reliant person. This is why the Apostle warns: Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall (I Cor. 10:12). Let him who has been able to do something for his soul, cover his virtues with humility and seek God’s protection to deflect the danger of falling. A blessed ascetic used to say: “The thief was on the cross, and with one word was justified. Judas was one of the apostles, and in one night destroyed all of his labor. Why should no one boast of success in good deeds? Because all those who have relied on themselves have fallen.”

Through bitter experiences man is convinced that self-reliance harms even his temporary well-being. As much as the Lord is well pleased in them that fear Him, and in them that hope in His mercy (Ps. 146:12), so, likewise, God removes His help from the haughty and self-confident. For this reason, that in which people place their hope for obtaining their goals often becomes harmful to them. Do they want to attain expensive belongings? They get eaten by moths and corrupt (cf. James 5:2). Do they put their hopes in the vastness of their fields planted with grain? The very first crop failure could reveal that neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase (I Cor. 3:7). Do they strive toward distant cities to trade and to make profit? Who is even sure that they will return alive? Does the scholar boast of his wisdom? [God] taketh the wise in their own craftiness (I Cor. 3:19). In general, should one depend on his own foresight to protect his well-being? Except the Lord guard the city, in vain doth he watch that guardeth her (Ps. 126:2).

Not only in ancient times, but also now and always The Lord is nigh unto all that…call on Him in truth (Ps. 144:19). Let us then begin every work of ours, asking God’s blessing, and reasoning with ourselves ahead of time as the Apostle James instructs us: If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that (James 4:15).

 

- Translated from “A Collection of Short Homilies on All Sundays and Feast Days” (in Russian), Vol. 2, compiled by Priest Andrew S. Smirnoff. Moscow, 1899, pp. 142–143.