All Good Things Come From God

By St. Nikolai VelimirovichA first and new-found man in spiritual skirmish underlines his every good work by self-praise. But the astute enemy in the midst of struggles with passions and demons minimizes his every feat and intensifies his prayer for God's help. Abba Matoes cast-off to say: "The more rapidly a man is to God, the choice immoral he sees himself to be." He likewise was familiar to say: "Equally I was first, I impression conceivably that I was accomplish some good; and now having the status of I am old, I see that I do not control any good feat." Did not our Lady say: "No one is good but One, that is God" (Matthew 19:17). In that case, if specific the one God is good and the grounding of all good, how can a good feat be done that is not from God? And, how can someone who does a good feat fasten it to himself and not to God? If this is so, with what then can personality man be praised? By nobody, rod with God and the uprightness of God!TWO SAYINGS OF ABBA AGATHON Commentary TO THIS Mistrust1. It was alleged with regard to Abba Agathon that some monks came to find him having heard of his pleasing sympathetic. Unsatisfactory to see if he would lose his pant they alleged to him:'Aren't you that Agathon who is alleged to be a fornicator and a arrogant man?'undisputable, it is very true,' he answered.They resumed, 'Aren't you that Agathon who is endlessly talking nonsense?''I am."Once again they alleged 'Aren't you Agathon the heretic?'But at that he replied 'I am not a heretic.'So they asked him, accompany us why you renowned everything we cast at you, but repudiated this maintain defame.'He replied 'The young accusations I take to in person for that is good for my phantom. But heresy is division from God. Now I control no wish to be on bad terms from God.'At this saying they were speechless at his sympathetic and returned, edified.2. The old men alleged of Abba Agathon to Abba Elias in Egypt: 'He is a good Abba.'The old man answered them, 'In amount with his own period, he is good.'They alleged to him, advantage what is he in amount with the ancients?'He gave them this respond, 'I control alleged to you that in amount with his period he is good but as to that of the ancients, in Scetis I control seen a man who, at the same time as Joshua the son of Nun could make the sun stand peaceful in the manner.'At these words they were flabbergasted and gave splendor to God.