The Law of Love

Author: Matt Breckler

  • Keys points in the process of growing in holiness from eastern Christianity

    This is one of the most beautiful parts of eastetn christian spirituality, because it takes sin seriously but also shows a hopeful path of transformation. This presents the process from the orthodox faith but the general process can be applicable to any christian. Here’s the **Orthodox path of healing from the passions** (summarized from the Fathers, especially Evagrius, St. Maximus the Confessor, and St. John Climacus):

    —## **1. Awareness of the Passion (Recognition)*** The first step is *naming the struggle honestly*.* Example: *“The seven deadly sins. The Church calls these disordered passions, a misuse of desire. I don’t want to justify it, even if I don’t fully understand.”** Saints warn that **denial or justification** is more dangerous than falling itself.

    —## **2. Struggle (Asceticism)*** With awareness comes *ascesis* (discipline): fasting, prayer, confession, and watchfulness over thoughts.* The goal isn’t instant victory, but to resist being ruled by the passion.* Even repeated falls are part of the struggle — as long as you get up and return to God.

    —## **3. Purification (Cleansing the Heart)*** Over time, the sacraments and ascetic struggle weaken the hold of the passion.* The imagination quiets, compulsions soften, and the heart regains freedom.* Example: the sins no longer feels irresistible; temptation still arises but is manageable.

    —## **4. Illumination (Virtue Blossoms)*** The energy once misused in passion becomes a virtue.

    * Lust → pure, self-giving love.

    * Gluttony → joyful moderation.

    * Pride → humble confidence.

    * Here a person no longer fights the same way; they live in the *light of Christ*.

    —## **5. Theosis (Union with God)*** In rare cases (saints, monastics, martyrs), passions are so purified that the person radiates holiness in body and soul.* Sometimes God reveals this through incorruptibility or miracles.* This isn’t because they “never sinned,” but because grace *fully healed* their nature.

    —### ✝️ The key insight:* Disordered passion, isn’t overcome by sheer willpower.* It’s healed through **grace + ascetic effort**, inside the life of the Church.* The metric isn’t: *“Did I ever fall again?”* but *“Am I repenting, confessing, and letting Christ heal me?”*

    —👉 So, in Orthodoxy, a person who struggles with sin isn’t “disqualified.” They are at **step 1 or 2 of the same ladder the saints climbed**. What matters is humility and willingness to keep climbing.

    Western christian saints also have similar paths to holiness. St. Teresa of Avila wrote the book Interior Castle with a similar path of sanctification. And St John of the Cross wrote Dark Night of the Soul. Both these saints, and even the great humanitarian saint Mother Teresa, wrote about how dark nights of the soul lead to growing in holiness.

  • Loving Relationships: Finding Fulfillment in God and One Another. Insights on single life, married life, parenthood, church life, and friendships.

    We are created for relationship. Both Scripture and countless NDE testimonies affirm that love and connection are at the very heart of existence. In fact, the message of the gospel is that God reconciles us to Himself through Christ so that we can live in love with Him and with one another. People who have had near-death experiences often report that, in the presence of God, what matters most is not wealth, status, or achievements, but the love we’ve given and received in relationships.

    That love flows into four key areas of life: single life, married life, church life, and parenthood.

    1. Single Life

    • Singleness can be a gift, though it often comes with struggles. Sometimes you can’t fix other people—so you must focus on allowing God to shape you first.
    • Many singles worry too much about “the next phase” of life, but Scripture reminds us that today is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6:2). God has a purpose for you now.
    • Contentment is crucial: the grass isn’t greener on the other side. Married people often long for singleness, while singles long for marriage. Paul even said that each has its advantages (1 Cor. 7).
    • Don’t focus on “finding the one”—focus on becoming the one. Before finding your partner, you must discover your purpose and identity in God. Ephesians 2:10 says you were “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand.” There may be accidental parents, but there are no accidental children. You are here on purpose.
    • When you make God the center of your life, He can then be the center of any future relationship.
    • Who you marry (apart from following Christ Himself) is the single most important decision you will make. Prepare wisely: get your life in order before entering a lifelong covenant.
    • Remember: marriage doesn’t fix you—it magnifies who you already are. If there are problems in dating, they won’t disappear in marriage; they’ll multiply.
    • The goal is to find satisfaction in God first, so that your future relationship flows from wholeness, not from emptiness.

    Near-death experiences often highlight a profound truth: in the presence of God, what endures is not our social status, relationship title, or marital status, but the love we’ve shared and the character we’ve developed. Singles may find encouragement in this perspective—your value is not measured by your relationship status but by how fully you embody God’s love now. NDE accounts frequently describe a sense of timelessness and eternal connection with God, reminding us that singleness is an opportunity to cultivate a heart that loves freely and intentionally. Biblically, Jesus affirms that in the next life, people are “neither married nor given in marriage” (Matt. 22:30), indicating that earthly relational roles are temporary, while love itself is eternal. Therefore, whether single now or forever, investing in love, faithfulness, and spiritual growth aligns your life with the eternal reality revealed in both Scripture and NDE testimonies.

    2. Married Life

    The Bible says, “Let marriage be held in honor among all, and let the marriage bed be undefiled” (Heb. 13:4). Jesus affirmed: “What God has joined together, let no one separate” (Matt. 19:6).

    Marriage is a covenant, not just a contract. It requires foundations:

    1. Seek God First. God comes first, then spouse, then children, then extended family. A couple that prays together stays together. Don’t just pray for your spouse, pray with them.
    2. Fight Fair. Couples will disagree, but healthy couples fight for resolution, not for victory. Avoid words like “you always” or “you never.” Don’t attack character. Never use the word “divorce” as a weapon. Scripture reminds us: “Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger” (James 1:19).
    3. Have Fun. Laughter and joy are part of love. Have regular date nights, plan day trips, and schedule vacations together. Make your home a place where your spouse is glad to arrive and sad to leave.
    4. Stay Pure. Boundaries safeguard love. Transparency about texting, internet use, and friendships with the opposite sex helps build trust. Jesus warned that the intention to commit adultery itself is adultery of the heart (Matt. 5:28) even if the act isn’t committed, so purity is both external and internal.
    5. Never Give Up. A happy marriage is the union of two good forgivers. “Love covers a multitude of sins” (1 Pet. 4:8).

    Grounds for divorce (according to Scripture): adultery (Matt. 19:9), abuse (implied in God’s concern for justice and protection of the vulnerable, or in how serious abuse is similar to being married to an unbeliever), or abandonment by an unbelieving spouse (1 Cor. 7:15).

    Recommended resource: From This Day Forward by Craig Groeschel.


    Marriage in this life can be a profound expression of God’s love, a partnership in which two people reflect Christ’s self-giving toward the church. NDEs often underscore that true relational fulfillment is measured not by what we own or achieve together, but by the depth of care, forgiveness, and joy we cultivate. While marriage magnifies our human struggles and virtues, it also offers a unique training ground for unconditional love that echoes into eternity. Biblically, Jesus teaches that marriage is not a permanent status in the afterlife (Matt. 22:30), yet the love cultivated within marriage—the patience, sacrifice, and fidelity—reflects eternal principles of God’s kingdom. Couples who nurture love grounded in God’s presence are not only building a harmonious earthly union but are also preparing hearts that resonate with the eternal, self-giving love that transcends earthly institutions.

    3. Church Life

    Our relationship with the church influences all others. We are the bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25–27), and the local church is the crucible where we grow. Scripture warns us not to “forsake gathering together” (Heb. 10:25).

    • Christianity is personal, but never private. We are called into fellowship, where we learn to pray, worship, serve, and use our spiritual gifts.
    • The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners. Imperfect, but still beautiful.
    • When we attend church, three things happen:
    1. We experience God’s presence. Yes, God is everywhere, but He manifests uniquely when His people gather.
    2. We experience God’s power. Jesus said, “If two of you agree on earth about anything, it will be done” (Matt. 18:19). In Acts, when believers gathered, thousands were saved.
    3. We unite with God’s people. In His final prayer before the cross, Jesus prayed for our unity (John 17).
    • We must lay aside prideful preferences—style of music, length of service, atmosphere. Church is not about “me,” it’s about Him.
    • Even when we’ve had a terrible week, that’s more reason to go.
    • The church needs you, and you need the church. Paul wrote to many local churches, but they were all part of the one big “C” Church.

    Near-death experiences often echo this truth: people see multitudes gathered in worship, experiencing joy, unity, and love in the presence of God. Church is a foretaste of that eternal fellowship.

    4. Parenthood

    Parenting is one of the hardest yet most rewarding callings. Children don’t come with a manual—but God’s Word provides wisdom.

    • “The days are long, but the years are short.” Treasure the moments, because they fly by.
    • Parenting requires intentionality. Ask: What kind of people do I want my children to become? Who will disciple them—me or the world?
    • Three goals of parenting on purpose:
    1. Children should love God and rely on Jesus.
    2. Children should love their family, finding home to be a safe, joyful environment.
    3. Children should love the church, knowing it will outlast every other institution.

    Faith must be the foundation of everything. Your example will speak louder than your words. “They don’t need a motto, they need a model.”

    Practical steps:

    • Share family dinners, where faith and conversation flow.
    • Fill the home with life-giving music and encouragement.
    • Don’t focus only on behavior modification; aim for the heart. Legalism breeds rebellion, but love draws children to God.
    • Make your home a place of rest, laughter, and memory-making. Life is not measured in minutes, but moments.
    • Teach by example: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15).

    NDE accounts often highlight the life review, where people see the eternal impact of how they treated others—especially children entrusted to their care. Parenting, then, is not only about raising kids but about shaping eternal souls.

    Your greatest vocation may not be your career, but your children.

    5. Christian Friendship

    Friendship is one of God’s sweetest gifts. Jesus Himself called His disciples “friends” (John 15:15), showing us that love expressed through companionship is central to the Christian life. While marriage and family may not be everyone’s path, friendship in Christ is available to all—and it sustains us in ways nothing else can.

    Christian friendships are different from ordinary ones because they are rooted in the shared pursuit of God. Proverbs says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another” (Prov. 27:17). A true friend doesn’t simply affirm us, but challenges us, prays with us, and reminds us of who we are in Christ.

    Practical wisdom for Christian friendship:

    • Be intentional. Friendships don’t grow automatically. Make time to share meals, conversations, and life together.
    • Be honest. A good friend speaks truth in love (Eph. 4:15). Don’t hide behind masks—confess struggles and share victories.
    • Be loyal. Scripture teaches that “a friend loves at all times” (Prov. 17:17). Loyalty through trials reflects God’s steadfast love.
    • Be prayerful. Pray for and with your friends. Friendship deepens when it is lifted continually before the throne of God.

    Near-death experiences often affirm the eternal nature of love shared in friendship. Some report being greeted by friends who had gone before them, reminding us that bonds formed in Christ endure beyond the grave. Friendships rooted in faith are not only for this life, but a foretaste of the fellowship we will enjoy forever in the presence of God.

    Whether single or married, young or old, we need friends who point us back to Jesus. Friendships grounded in Christ don’t just make life sweeter—they make us holier.

    ✨ Summary:
    Relationships—whether single, married, in the church, or as parents—are all opportunities to practice love, the currency of eternity. The gospel, and countless NDE testimonies, remind us that in the end, what matters most is not what we have accomplished but how well we have loved.

  • after analyzing virtues across philosophical traditions, what does the emphasis of each tradition indicate in its worldview?

    Each philosophical and religious tradition tends to emphasize certain virtues over others—not just randomly, but because those virtues reflect deep assumptions about **human nature, the good life, society, and ultimate reality.** Looking at which virtues are foregrounded, and why, can give us insight into the **undercurrents that define each worldview.** Let me sketch this out across a few traditions:

    —### 1. **Classical Greek (Plato, Aristotle, Stoics)***

    **Key virtues:** Wisdom (sophia), courage (andreia), temperance (sōphrosynē), justice (dikaiosynē).*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Human beings are rational animals, meant to live in accordance with reason. * Virtue = harmony: reason governs desire, and individual contributes to social order. * Happiness (eudaimonia) = flourishing through virtue.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **rational order and balance**—the cosmos is structured, and the good life means aligning with that structure.

    —### 2. **Christianity (Patristic, Medieval, Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant streams)***

    **Key virtues:** Faith, hope, charity (theological), plus humility, patience, chastity, forgiveness.*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Humans are fallen but redeemable through grace. * The highest good is communion with God, not just rational flourishing. * Virtues are relational—faith and love direct the soul toward God and neighbor.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **transformative love, dependence on grace, and inner renewal.** The Christian virtue set reveals a deep **relational ontology**—the self is fulfilled only in love of God and others.

    —### 3. **Buddhism***

    **Key virtues:** Compassion (karuṇā), loving-kindness (mettā), mindfulness (sati), non-attachment, equanimity.*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Suffering arises from craving and ignorance. * Virtue is a practical path to liberation (nirvāṇa), not just moral obligation. * Self is ultimately empty (anattā), so virtues cultivate wisdom and release from ego-clinging.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **liberation through insight and compassion.** Virtues reflect the metaphysical claim that attachment is the root of suffering and compassion is the antidote.

    —### 4. **Confucianism***

    **Key virtues:** Filial piety (xiao), benevolence/humaneness (ren), righteousness (yi), propriety (li), wisdom (zhi).*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Society is the matrix of the self; harmony in relationships is the highest aim. * Virtue is cultivated in hierarchical, familial, and ritual contexts. * Moral development is continuous self-cultivation.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **relational harmony and social order.** Virtues here show that personhood is not individualistic but embedded in networks of duty and reciprocity.

    —### 5. **Islamic Philosophy & Sufism***

    **Key virtues:** Justice (ʿadl), trust in God (tawakkul), gratitude (shukr), modesty (ḥayāʾ), patience (ṣabr), love of God (maḥabba).*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Humans are servants of God; moral life is obedience to divine will. * Virtue is both social (justice) and spiritual (surrender to God). * Sufism emphasizes interior transformation—love of God burning away ego.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **submission, gratitude, and remembrance.** Virtues reveal a theocentric worldview: flourishing comes not from autonomy but surrender.

    —### 6. **Modern / Enlightenment Philosophy***

    **Key virtues:** Autonomy, reason, tolerance, justice, rights-consciousness.*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Human beings are free and equal; moral life means respecting that dignity. * Virtue shifts toward **universalizable principles** rather than personal piety. * Enlightenment valorizes rationality and autonomy over tradition.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **freedom and rational respect for others.** Virtues reveal a secular, individual-centered vision of moral progress.

    —### 7. **Contemporary Positive Psychology***

    **Key virtues:** Gratitude, resilience, curiosity, kindness, creativity.*

    **Underlying worldview:** * Human well-being is measurable and cultivable through habits. * Flourishing is not only moral but also psychological and emotional. * Virtues are tools for meaning, growth, and life satisfaction.*

    **Takeaway:** Emphasis on **well-being and flourishing in this life.** Virtues reflect a pragmatic and evidence-driven approach, stripped of metaphysical commitments.

    —✅ **Big Picture:**Each tradition’s virtue set is like a mirror reflecting its **first principles**:*

    **Greek:** cosmos is ordered by reason → cultivate harmony.*

    **Christian:** life is covenantal and grace-filled → cultivate love and faith.*

    **Buddhist:** suffering comes from ego → cultivate mindfulness and compassion.*

    **Confucian:** self is relational → cultivate benevolence and propriety.*

    **Islamic:** God is supreme → cultivate obedience, gratitude, remembrance.*

    **Modern:** human dignity is central → cultivate freedom and justice.*

    **Positive Psych:** flourishing is measurable → cultivate habits of resilience.—

  • Bringing the good news of the gospel, eternal life and God’s kingdom of love, to those who are stuck in their sins

    Reaching people stuck in their sins without God is perhaps the most urgent and beautiful task entrusted to us. Salvation is not just escape from sin and death—it is entrance into life with God, a life that begins now and is fulfilled in eternity. Everyone who comes to Christ will experience the fullness of joy and reward in heaven. To help someone cross that threshold is to participate in the Father’s greatest desire.

    Scripture speaks of the “lost” not as worthless, but as precious sheep who have strayed. Jesus said He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). To be unsaved is not simply to be neutral; it is to remain in darkness when the light has already come. Yet even here, Jesus makes clear that He did not come to condemn the world, but to save it (John 3:17). When we spread his good news, we help give God a chance to save them, and bring them from sin and death, to a life of love and eternal life.

    The Father’s Will

    When Jesus was asked about food, He said, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to finish His work” (John 4:34). And what is that work? To gather the unsaved, to bring them into the Father’s house. He told His disciples, “The fields are ripe for harvest, but the laborers are few” (John 4:35). There is no shortage of people longing for hope—there is only a shortage of workers willing to go.

    Engaging the World, Not Withdrawing

    1. Don’t assume disinterest. Every human heart carries a God-shaped void, even if hidden beneath distractions or defenses. People may not admit it, but deep down they long for meaning, love, and truth.
    2. Don’t prioritize your comfort. The harvest requires labor, and labor is not always convenient. Comfort is secondary to calling.
    3. Don’t assume endless time. We live in a time of grace, but windows of openness can close quickly. Paul wrote, “Now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2). Sometimes the difference between a soul lost and saved is whether they hear the message in time.

    How Do We Reach Them?

    1. Go to them. Don’t wait for the unsaved to stumble into church; meet them in their world as Jesus did when He sat with tax collectors and sinners.
    2. Encourage them. Paul taught, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up” (Ephesians 4:29). Don’t argue or belittle. Instead, listen for their need and offer encouragement. Sometimes, yes, you must “shake the dust off your feet” (Matthew 10:14), but most of the time the task is to plant seeds gently.
    3. Invite them. Jesus said, “Others have done the hard work, and you have reaped the benefits of their labor” (John 4:38). You may not be the one to plant the seed, but you may be the one to invite someone into the harvest.
    4. Serve them. Love demonstrated through service often speaks louder than words. Jesus washed His disciples’ feet and told them to do likewise (John 13:14-15). Acts of kindness open hearts to the message.

    The Good News in Its Essence

    God allows people of goodwill to go far, but only in Christ do they find the fullness of truth. The gospel is not about condemnation but liberation: to set captives free, to heal the brokenhearted, to save from sin and death, and to give eternal hope (Luke 4:18). This is why it is called good news.

    Insights from NDEs

    Near-death experiences often confirm this longing. Many describe standing before a Presence of pure love, where they see that life’s meaning is rooted in love for God and love for others. They often return with urgency: that what matters most is helping others find the light. Some experiencers even testify that they were shown people who had yet to encounter God’s love, and they were sent back to be a witness. In this sense, NDEs echo Jesus’ own words: the Father’s will is to bring His children home.

    Conclusion

    Reaching the unsaved is not just one ministry among many—it is the beating heart of God’s mission. It is our privilege to join in this work: to go, to encourage, to invite, to serve. And above all, to love. For in the end, what will shine in eternity is not how much we knew or achieved, but how faithfully we pointed others to the One who saves.

  • Reflections on financial generosity and also generosity that extends beyond financial matters, and into the heart of God

    Reflections on financial generosity and also generosity that extends beyond financial matters, and into the heart of God

    St. Paul reminds us that God makes us “rich in every way so that we can be generous on every occasion” (2 Corinthians 9:11). Notice he doesn’t say just money. Richness in Christ is broader—it’s joy, peace, patience, love, resources, wisdom, and opportunities. All of these gifts flow to us so that they might flow through us. When people who don’t know God look at us, they should see living examples of His grace, not tight-fisted survivalists.

    The Christian life is never about random acts of generosity done by accident. It’s about living with intention, with a willing heart. We don’t give because we must; we give because we get to. God calls us out of our comfort zones not to shame us, but to stretch us into love. Sometimes, yes, we obey simply because He says so. But God wants more than bare obedience—He wants our hearts. It’s the difference between a child doing the dishes because he fears punishment, and a child doing them because he wants to bless his parents.

    This principle extends beyond giving money. It applies to prayer, Bible reading, worship, serving, and gathering with the church. Christianity is not meant to be law-driven duty but grace-filled desire. The Old Covenant compelled by external law; the New Covenant transforms by inward love.

    Paul even pointed out that some churches, though poor, were more generous than wealthier ones. We still see this today: people with very little sometimes glorify God more freely than the rich. In fact, some of the happiest people on earth are those with the least material wealth. Paul made clear that he wasn’t commanding churches to give, but urging them to do so willingly: “God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).

    The principle is simple: if your motivation is right, your gift is acceptable—whether you give out of abundance or poverty. God wants gratefulness, not guilt. Remember this: if you make over \$45,000 a year, you’re in the top 1% of the world’s households. That perspective alone should stir thanksgiving.

    Even Jesus said that the woman who gave from her small amount of money, had given much more than those who gave more but from a lot bigger amount of money.

    When we begin to love people the way God does, our hearts change. It’s no longer about numbers but about faces. Behind every gift is a person, a need, a soul. In Acts 2, the early believers “had all things in common” and shared bread and resources freely. They didn’t get everything right, but they got that right. And as they lived this way, “the Lord added daily those who were being saved.”

    Jesus taught, “Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also” (Matthew 6:21). In other words, if you want your heart to change, start by investing in people, not just possessions. Get to know others, see their needs, and generosity will no longer feel like loss—it will feel like joy.

    The Secret to a Financial Breakthrough

    Most people want to be generous, but they wait for abundance first. They think, “When I have more, then I’ll give more.” Yet even those with high incomes often spend everything they have. The truth is generosity doesn’t begin with more money—it begins with discipline and transformation.

    Here are three biblical keys to financial (and spiritual) breakthrough:

    1. Fasting – Before the external breakthrough, you must win the battle in the spirit. Fasting isn’t only about food; it’s about training your desires, breaking attachments, and remembering that man does not live by bread alone (Matthew 4:4).
    2. Prayer – Bring your needs to God specifically and boldly. Jesus taught us to pray not vague wishes but real requests: “Give us this day our daily bread.” Prayer is not about manipulation, but alignment—your heart tuning to His provision.
    3. Listening and Obeying – God often answers prayers with instructions. If you don’t follow, you don’t progress. “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). Listen when He speaks—even when it stretches you. Breakthrough is not only in receiving but in obeying.

    NDE Insight: Generosity in the Light

    Near-death experiencers often return with a renewed vision of what truly matters. Many testify that in the presence of God, they were shown that love—not possessions, not status—is the measure of life. Some describe reviewing their lives and seeing moments of kindness shine with eternal significance, while wealth, ambition, and self-centeredness faded into emptiness.

    The message echoes Paul’s teaching: generosity is not about how much you have, but how much love you carry into what you give. In eternity, the treasure that lasts is not the balance of your bank account, but the weight of love poured into others.

    Conclusion

    Money, like all resources, is a tool—not an idol, not a master. God entrusts it to us so that we can join Him in blessing others. When we give cheerfully, pray boldly, fast faithfully, and obey willingly, we align ourselves with the eternal truth: it is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35).

    Generosity is not just financial acts but involve all kinds of spiritual transformations. When your heart belongs to God, your treasure follows—and when your treasure follows, so does your joy.

  • Some reflections on the trinity – while also making sense of it as much as is possible with our human minds

    The Mystery of the Trinity

    The Trinity is one of the deepest mysteries in all of Christian faith—a truth revealed but never fully grasped. The Bible gives us glimpses, not neat formulas, because what is infinite cannot be captured in finite terms.

    John opens his Gospel with words that shake the mind: “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God… and the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” (John 1:1,14). Here we see both distinction and unity: the Word was with God, yet the Word was God. The eternal Christ entered history, not as an idea, but as flesh.

    Jesus Himself spoke in riddles that reveal this mystery. He said, “Before Abraham was, I AM” (John 8:58)—taking upon Himself the divine name revealed to Moses at the burning bush. He warned, “Unless you believe that I AM, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Yet in another breath, when called “good,” He responded: “Why do you call me good? No one is good except God alone” (Mark 10:18). Was this denial? No—it was a subtle challenge. If Jesus is truly “good,” then He must also be God, for goodness in its perfection belongs to God alone.

    Interestingly, Jesus rarely went about directly proclaiming, “I am God.” Instead, He preferred the title “Son of Man.” This was not a denial of His divinity but a layering of meaning. The “Son of Man” is a figure from Daniel 7 who comes on the clouds with authority, receiving glory and worship. Still, when pressed, Jesus did not reject the title “Son of God,” but affirmed it (John 10:36). His humility was not in hiding His identity, but in revealing it in a way that required spiritual ears to hear.

    After His resurrection, the disciples spoke plainly: Thomas confessed to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Paul called Him “our great God and Savior” (Titus 2:13). The early church was convinced not only that Jesus revealed God, but that in Him, God Himself had come near.

    Attempts to Understand the Trinity

    Christians across centuries have sought analogies to grasp what is beyond human reason.

    • Relational roles: A man can be at once a father, a son, and a brother—three roles, yet one person. Similarly, God reveals Himself in different aspects without ceasing to be one.
    • Dimensions: The Son steps into our dimension, while the Father transcends in another dimension. They are distinct in experience, but united in essence.
    • Human nature: We ourselves are a trinity—spirit, mind, and body. Different aspects, yet one person.
    • Nature itself: St. Patrick famously used the three-leaf clover. Three leaves, yet one plant.
    • Mutual indwelling: The Spirit enters the Son, and through the Spirit, the Father is present in the Son. The Persons are distinct, yet they fully interpenetrate one another in what theology calls perichoresis—a divine dance of love.

    Each of these analogies shines a fragment of light, though none can capture the fullness.

    The Paradox of the Unlimited

    At its heart, the Trinity is not a logical puzzle to be solved, but a paradox that reveals the limits of human thought. God is infinite, yet He enters the finite. He is unlimited, yet He chooses limitation. As Philippians 2 says, Christ “emptied himself, taking the form of a servant.”

    Creation itself is a form of divine self-limitation: the boundless God makes a bounded universe. In the Trinity we see the same mystery—oneness that contains difference, eternity that enters time, infinity that wears flesh.

    Near-death experiences often echo this: people describe encountering a Light that is utterly One yet somehow full of relational Love. They experience God not as cold abstraction, but as a living communion. In that sense, the Trinity is not mathematics (1+1+1=1), but relationship—perfect love flowing between Father, Son, and Spirit.

    Conclusion

    The Trinity is not meant to be dissected so much as entered into. It is a mystery that invites worship more than explanation. The early Christians did not invent it—they simply encountered Jesus and the Spirit in ways that forced them to rethink everything they knew about God.

    As finite beings, we stumble before the paradox. But that stumbling is holy. For the Trinity is God’s way of saying: “I am not solitary power, I am eternal love. And this love has come near to you in Christ, and dwells in you by the Spirit, to bring you back to the Father.”

  • Life’s struggles are meant to guide and mold you

    Below is a response from a priest, when in front of a judge, when questioned by a lawyer about why bad things happen to good people. His response here is turned into a prayer. After the prayer is a reflection on how bad things in life can be the ground for growth… how our lives are actually forged through our struggles.

    Prayer of Father against life’s trials:

    I asked God for strength
    and God gave me difficulties to make me strong.
    I asked for wisdom
    and God gave me problems to learn to solve.
    I asked for courage
    and God gave me dangers to overcome.
    I asked for love
    and God gave me troubled people to help.

    My prayers were answered.

    ——————

    Here’s a flowing restatement that integrates biblical wisdom and the insights often reported in near-death experiences (NDEs):

    Nobody is Your Enemy

    Life’s hardest moments are often God’s hidden classrooms. No person or circumstance comes into your path without a lesson for your soul.

    • The one who annoys you teaches patience and calmness, for “love is patient, love is kind” (1 Corinthians 13:4).
    • The one who abandons you shows you how to stand on your own feet and lean more fully on God, who promises: “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).
    • The one who offends you invites you into forgiveness and compassion, echoing Christ’s words: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).
    • The thing you hate becomes the ground where you can practice unconditional love, for love is not selective—it shines like the sun on all.
    • What you fear reveals the path of courage, reminding you that perfect love casts out fear (1 John 4:18).
    • What you cannot control whispers the wisdom of surrender: “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).
    • Every “no” from people is an invitation to trust that God’s “yes” is higher than man’s rejection.
    • Every problem is a doorway to wisdom, for those who ask receive guidance (James 1:5).
    • Every attack shows that your true defense is not retaliation but the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18).
    • Every person who looks down on you reminds you to lift your eyes upward, for your help comes from the Lord (Psalm 121:1-2).

    Those who have touched the light in near-death experiences often say that, in the end, life is not a battlefield of enemies but a school of love. Even the painful chapters are designed for your growth.

    Reflections

    If you never meet betrayal, rejection, or disappointment, perhaps you have never dared to live greatly. Even Jesus was betrayed with a kiss. To walk in love is to risk wounds, yet the wounds themselves become teachers.

    Do not waste your life replaying the wrongs done to you. To cling to anger is to hold fire in your hands, burning yourself while imagining another will feel the pain. Let it go. The freedom is yours.

    Yes, the world will always contain ungrateful, selfish, and foolish people. But wisdom means you do not let them define you. Maturity means you respond with dignity, compassion, and clarity of heart. You are not responsible for making everyone love you or see the world as you do. Your task is simpler and deeper: to keep your heart aligned with love.

    The Secret to a Meaningful Life

    What then is the secret? It is to carry a load that matters. Not a burden that crushes you, but a responsibility you choose—one that blesses you, your family, and your community.

    People are made to pull against weight. Without it, we collapse into boredom, despair, and self-contempt. Even suffering, if borne nobly, becomes radiant. This is the paradox of life: the way out of suffering is not escape but confrontation.

    Jesus carried His cross, and through it revealed glory. So too, your cross—your chosen responsibility, your struggle in love—is not meant to destroy you, but to transform you.

    NDEs often report this same truth: what mattered most in life was not wealth, status, or even comfort, but how much love you brought into the world, even in the face of suffering.

    So, pick up your weight. Walk your path. Love in the face of fear. Forgive in the face of offense. And when suffering confronts you, know that God is with you. The journey is not meaningless. Every step can be transfigured into light.

    Final Thought:

    As the saying goes… the benefit of growing in character comes at the cost of an easy life, and the benefit of an easy life comes at the cost of not growing in character. When God lets you struggle, he is actually answering your prayer.

  • the bible seems to have conflicting verses on assurance of salvation and the once saved always saved issue. what’s the best way of reconciling them?

    Once saved always saved

    I know a Christian who once had a beautiful, living faith — he would play gospel music on the piano and sing with heartfelt devotion. Today, however, he no longer practices that faith; he has turned away from it, living as a non-believer.

    The most straightforward way to describe him is that he was a Christian, but isn’t anymore.

    Some Protestants, however, might frame it differently:

    • Some would argue that he remains a Christian in spite of himself, even if he fails to live out his faith.
    • Others might say that he was never truly a Christian, since he no longer shows evidence of genuine belief.

    When we look at Scripture, the tension becomes clear:

    1. Unbreakable salvation: There are verses suggesting that some believers can remain saved, such as John 10:28–29: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand.” This supports the idea of practical, lasting security for believers.
    2. Possibility of falling away: Other passages, like Hebrews 6:4–6 and 2 Peter 2:20–22, indicate that it is possible for someone to turn away from God, which suggests that salvation is not guaranteed if free will is exercised to reject it.

    From a logical and practical perspective, we can reconcile these ideas:

    • For practical purposes, some people appear securely saved and continue in faith.
    • Theoretically, because God has given humans free will, it is possible to fall away from faith.

    Thus, it is reasonable to say: some believers are saved and remain so in practice, yet Scripture and common sense remind us that salvation can be lost through deliberate turning away, highlighting the tension between assurance and free will.

    Assurance of salvation

    This ‘practical’ versus ‘theoretical’ model works for assurance of salvation too.

    Some Protestants teach that a person can know they are saved, and a few even claim that a Christian must know they are saved in order to be saved. While the Apostle Paul wrote to his churches so that they could have assurance of their salvation—for example, in 1 John 5:13: “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, so that you may know that you have eternal life”—this assurance is for practical purposes, not a universal requirement for salvation.

    Jesus Himself emphasized that salvation is available even to those who are humble, persistent, and aware of their need, without certainty of their status. Consider His teaching about the widow pleading for justice in Luke 18:1–8, or the woman seeking mercy in Luke 7:36–50. Both demonstrate that those who consistently rely on God’s mercy and persistently seek salvation may very well not know with certainty that they are saved, yet they still receive it.

    Ultimately, the only real requirement for salvation, as a matter of faith, is relying on Jesus Christ for salvation, not necessarily knowing that one is saved, nor affirming a long list of doctrinal beliefs. Faith is a trust in Christ, not always a full grasp of theological knowledge and certainty.

    Conclusion

    It seems the bible has conflicting verses on ‘once saved always saved’ and ‘assurance of salvation’. but if we are to assume the bible is consistent, the best (only?) way to reconcile them is to make the ‘practical’ versus ‘theoretical’ distinction. for practical purposes, some people are saved, and know they are saved, but given free will and the words of Jesus, we should assume for theoretical purposes that anything is possible.

  • An exhaustive list of sins and negative personal characteristics

    A comprehensive master list of sins—the dark mirror to the exhaustive list of virtues I built for you. I’ll organize them into categories (theological, moral, spiritual, social, etc.), and when we come to the Seven Deadly Sins, I’ll place their corresponding Heavenly Virtues right next to them for clarity. This will let you see both the shadows and their remedies side by side.

    Master List of Sins

    1. Theological / Spiritual Sins

    (These directly violate love of God, truth, or faith.)

    • Idolatry (worshiping false gods, money, power, fame, self, etc.)
    • Blasphemy (speaking contemptuously of God or sacred things)
    • Heresy (deliberate distortion of truth revealed by God)
    • Apostasy (abandoning faith)
    • Sacrilege (abuse of sacred persons, places, or objects)
    • Superstition (placing ultimate power in rituals, charms, or omens)
    • Divination / sorcery / witchcraft (seeking hidden knowledge/power apart from God)
    • Atheistic materialism (denying spiritual reality)
    • Despair (loss of hope in God’s mercy)
    • Presumption (arrogantly assuming salvation without change)
    • Lukewarmness (indifference to God or virtue)

    2. The Seven Deadly Sins (with Contrasting Heavenly Virtues)

    1. Pride → Humility
    • Arrogance, vanity, self-idolatry, refusing correction, contempt for others.
    1. Greed (Avarice) → Charity (Generosity)
    • Obsession with wealth, hoarding, exploitation, materialism.
    1. Lust → Chastity
    • Objectifying others, unrestrained sexual indulgence, betrayal of commitments.
    1. Envy → Kindness (Brotherly Love)
    • Resentment of others’ success, joy at others’ misfortune, jealousy.
    1. Gluttony → Temperance
    • Overindulgence in food, drink, or excess consumption of anything.
    1. Wrath (Anger) → Patience
    • Hatred, vengeance, rage, cruelty, violent impulses.
    1. Sloth (Spiritual Apathy) → Diligence (Zeal)
    • Laziness in duties, neglect of spiritual growth, indifference to good.

    3. Moral & Personal Sins

    (These fracture inner integrity and character.)

    • Dishonesty, lying, deceit
    • Hypocrisy (pretending virtue without practice)
    • Cowardice (failure to stand for truth/goodness)
    • Recklessness / irresponsibility
    • Ingratitude
    • Gossip / detraction / slander
    • Manipulation / exploitation
    • Disobedience (to rightful authority / conscience)
    • Vanity (obsession with appearance or reputation)
    • Hard-heartedness (closing compassion)
    • Addiction / loss of self-control

    4. Social & Relational Sins

    (How we harm others directly.)

    • Violence, murder, assault
    • Abuse (physical, emotional, spiritual, sexual)
    • Oppression, tyranny, injustice
    • Racism, bigotry, discrimination
    • Exploitation (workers, poor, vulnerable)
    • Neglect of family duties (spousal betrayal, child abandonment, dishonor of parents)
    • Betrayal of trust
    • Scandal (leading others into sin)
    • Bullying, ridicule, humiliation
    • Unforgiveness, grudge-holding

    5. Economic & Structural Sins

    (How societies and systems amplify evil.)

    • Corruption, bribery, fraud
    • Usury, predatory lending
    • Exploiting workers (wage theft, unsafe conditions)
    • Economic inequality through oppression
    • Environmental destruction (greed-driven exploitation of nature)
    • War profiteering, arms dealing
    • Human trafficking, slavery
    • Exploiting healthcare, housing, or food systems for profit over people

    6. Sins of Omission

    (Not just what we do, but what we fail to do.)

    • Failure to love neighbor
    • Failure to defend the weak
    • Failure to use talents for good
    • Apathy in the face of injustice
    • Neglecting prayer, worship, or thanksgiving
    • Wasted opportunities for good
    • Silence when truth is required

    7. Interior / Hidden Sins

    (The roots beneath outward acts.)

    • Malice (deliberate wishing of evil)
    • Resentment, bitterness
    • Greedy ambition (power-hunger)
    • Secret contempt of others
    • Destructive fantasies (revenge, cruelty, domination)
    • Prideful self-reliance (refusing to need anyone)

    8. Classical Lists from Tradition

    • Sins that Cry to Heaven for Vengeance
    1. Murder of the innocent
    2. Oppression of the poor
    3. Defrauding workers of wages
    4. Sodomy (in some traditional lists)
    • Ten Commandments Violations (condensed form)
    1. Other gods / idolatry
    2. Taking God’s name in vain
    3. Profaning the Sabbath (neglect of rest/worship)
    4. Dishonor of parents
    5. Murder
    6. Adultery
    7. Theft
    8. False witness
    9. Coveting spouse
    10. Coveting possessions

    ✨ This gives you a full-spectrum map of sin, from the interior roots → personal actions → social structures → ultimate spiritual posture. And the Seven Deadly Sins are directly contrasted with their antidotal Heavenly Virtues for balance.

  • Analyzing how virtues improve our love, relationships, and society

    📖 The Art of Living — Edward Sri (Summary)

    Virtue isn’t about repression or rules — it’s about freedom to love well. Sri shows how the four Cardinal Virtues (Wisdom, Justice, Courage, Temperance) are essential for living meaningfully and building real community. Virtue is not just private morality but the art of living in a way that blesses others.

    The Four Cardinal Virtues

    1. Prudence (Wisdom)
    • The “charioteer” of virtues.
    • Practical wisdom: seeing reality clearly, choosing rightly in concrete situations.
    • Without prudence, the other virtues can’t be applied well. Prudence directs the other virtues (without prudence, courage may be reckless, temperance may be rigid, justice may be misguided).
    1. Justice – The Relational Virtue
    • Giving others their due.
    • Extends from honesty in small matters to broader social fairness.
    • Builds trust, community, genuine relationships, fairness.
    • Small acts (honesty, fairness) → large-scale harmony in society.
    1. Fortitude (Courage)
    • Strength and perseverance to endure difficulties, even suffering, for the sake of the good and the truth
    • Courage is not the absence of fear but properly ordering fear.
    • Needed for defending truth, persevering in love, and resisting discouragement.
    1. Temperance
    • Self-mastery in desires and pleasures.
    • Not repression, but the ability to enjoy good things without being enslaved by them.
    • Frees us for greater love and balance: Prevents excess and imbalance; opens space for love and focus on higher goods.

    Themes

    • Freedom Through Virtue: Modern culture equates freedom with “doing what I want.” True freedom is the ability to live according to what is good, true, and loving. Rules don’t restrict freedom, they protect it by aligning us with the good.
    • Virtue as Relational: It’s about loving others well, not just personal self-control. Growth in virtue is not an isolated achievement but unfolds in community and relationships.
    • Happiness and Fulfillment: Virtues orient us to love rightly, which is the source of human flourishing.
    • Integration: The virtues interconnect; growth in one strengthens the others. The virtues are interwoven — prudence directs, justice relates, courage strengthens, temperance balances.
    • Virtue creates harmony → in the self (ordered desires), in relationships (justice & love), and in society (fairness, courage)

    Practical Takeaway

    To live the “art of living” is to cultivate habits of the four virtues, which leads to:

    • Interior freedom from passions and fears.
    • Exterior harmony in family, friendships, and community.
    • A life of love that reflects God’s design for human flourishing.

    🎯 Core Thesis

    • Virtue = Freedom = Love
    • True freedom is not “doing whatever I want,” but the interior strength to live according to truth and love.
    • The four Cardinal Virtues are the foundation for human flourishing and authentic relationships. That’s the central message — the virtues are the “art” that makes a life of authentic love possible.

    ✅ Practical Takeaway

    Cultivating the virtues is an art of living that:

    • Frees us from fear, excess, and selfishness.
    • Strengthens us for trials and moral choices.
    • Orients us toward God’s design of love as the goal of human life.