One Christian, who carried (and still carries) apostolic ministry in the Church, writes about himself: ‘I have labored more abundantly (than other Christians who have carried and still carry apostolic ministry in the Church – V.A.), been in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequently, and in deaths often. From the Jews five times I received forty stripes minus one; three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned; three times I was shipwrecked; a night and a day I have been in the deep; in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by my own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness— besides the other things, what comes upon me daily: my deep concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I do not burn with indignation? If I must boast, I will boast in the things which concern my infirmity. The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is blessed forever, knows that I am not lying… It is not expedient for me to boast, for I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord. I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago (whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows) was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man (whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows)— that he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong…’” (emphasis added by V.A.). In another place, it is said about this man (who once, before faith (before meeting the Risen Christ and being baptized by the Holy Spirit into His Body – the Church) persecuted God’s Church, killed Christians): “But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in Him and receive eternal life.” Another Christian, who also carried (and continues to carry) apostolic ministry as an evangelist, encouraging and instructing Christians, says: “Take my brothers, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience, the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord (meaning, they were friends of God, with whom God shared His thoughts; they were close to God, coworkers of His—and ‘reward’: instead of all honors and pleasures—severe suffering!?—V.A.). Behold, we count them happy which endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.”
It turns out that Christians know about evil and pain not by hearsay, but experience it “on their own skin” (being the healthiest and most sober), and so, as no one else! Christians are not masochists (happy when they are bad, uncomfortable, in pain, etc.), as might seem at first impression from reading these verbal icons. Christians just know something, perceive something! What exactly? Firstly, that God is Love, and only Love and that everything has already objectively risen, everything is already in the Hypostasis of the Son of God in the depths (in the womb) of the Holy Trinity; secondly, God does not cease to care for His creation every moment, helping it (all free hypostatic beings) to accept the Gift of the Holy Spirit, the Gift of Adoption. About the Gift of Resurrection, we have said enough (more, if necessary, by email), let us say something about the providence of God.
In the ninth chapter of the Gospel according to the testimony of the apostle John the Theologian, we contemplate the event of the healing of the man born blind. In this fragment of the Gospel icon, the essence of God’s providence is depicted. Christ’s disciples, still being pagans (not enlightened by the Holy Spirit), asked Jesus: “Teacher, who sinned—this man or his parents—that he was born blind?”
That is, they asked: WHY? (A religious person has no other alternative but total necessity, total unfreedom (i.e., what happens now, the reason lies in the past; everything is under the law of determinism), unlike Christians, who know the mystery of absolute freedom, the mystery of personality, the mystery of hypostatic life in Love, that at the basis of everything, the cause of all being is absolute freedom, Love, that is, Personality—the Father). Jesus answered: neither has this man sinned, nor his parents; but that the works of God should be made manifest in him. That is, the Lord answered: NOT FOR ANYTHING (neither for ‘good’ nor for ‘evil’), but FOR THE SAKE, that the man may reach Happiness, Deification! That is, everything that happens to us has one purpose—the Glory of God in us, our Happiness. That is, everything that happens to us has a cause not in the past (for what?), but in the future (for what?). In God (Who is Love, and only Love!), there is no ‘for something’ (retribution for sins or reward for ‘good’ deeds). In God, there is only ‘for something’. God is Love, as Christians claim (based on their experience-knowledge, and even on common sense!), which means that He is pure sacrifice, absolute self-giving, self-denial, humility. The Lord is an absolute Gift (Grace—Good Gift—Deifying Gift). And a gift is given not for something but to make the recipient, the addressee, happy. God is Love, which means that every energy, every action of His is Love! Therefore, the purpose of God’s providence (constant care and concern for the loved ones—about all creation (including demons!))—is that the glory of God may be revealed on the loved one (—on everything existing), that is, that the creation may acquire the Grace of the Holy Spirit—be deified (become god by Grace). How happy are Christians, because they know: everything that happens in my life—is from God, His Love generously poured on me (by means of which cross—does not matter; whether through ‘good’ or ‘bad’ people; through ‘friends’ or ‘enemies’; through bright angels or demons (as in the case of the righteous Job); the cross brought and brings joy to the whole world!). (When appropriate, we will say—let the mouths of all those who judge their neighbors (‘this is to you for your sins or your ancestors’ sins’ etc.) be closed, and judgment to all who judge—the man born blind, who was blind not for something: it was not punishment, not retribution, and not even a consequence of sin, but for this, that the glory of God might be revealed!). Why do they perform surgery?! Not ‘for what’, but ‘for what’! For the sick to heal, to be happy! Why were we created by God?! Not for anything, because we did not yet exist, we had not yet done anything: neither good nor evil!!! Why were we created by God?! The question is wrong! It is correct to ask not for what, but for what! And so every moment (and everything in it) is given (GIVEN) by God not for something, but for something! For deification, Happiness! Why was a cast put (or is being put) on the arm?! Why was surgery done (or is still being done)?! Why are bitter medicines given, painful injections administered, bones painfully put back in place?! Why are homework, independent work, and control tasks given during training?! Why does the teacher demand from students to master the material and understand it?! For what?! Not for ANYTHING!!! (Oh, you broke your arm! Here’s a cast for that!?? Oh, you have acute appendicitis! Here’s surgery for that!? A tooth aches! Here’s a filling for that!?—No, wise, soberly thinking people don’t think like that!). But for WHAT?!—So that the arm, tooth, etc. would be healthy, so that you would be happy!!!