The Necessity of Righteousness and Obedience

It is nothing great if we become righteous; for let us become what we were first created by God to be: very beautiful.

The one living according to nature does not keep the commandments of God. All wisdom fears the Lord, but every education that does not teach the law of the Lord is foolishness and folly. Faith and baptism will not rescue from the eternal fire without works of righteousness. If you have joined yourself to Christ, keep his commandments; and if you believe in the things to come, make yourself worthy of the eternal glory, and fear the flaming sword (Rev 1:16). But if you do not succeed in the commands of God, do not call yourself faithful.

All creation obeys the command of God, but man alone disobeys, through whom all things came to be. We will offer nothing to God if we keep ourselves ignorant, but we will bring life to ourselves, and an ineffable enjoyment of the eternal good things. Do not say, 'I am not able to keep the commandment of God because of a father, or because of a mother, or because of a wife, or because of children, or because of something else,' for they will not rescue you from the impending wrath and the endless worm (Rev 20:10). Let everyone who opposes the command of God and virtues be loathsome and detestable to you; it is good for one such as that not even to eat with them.