The Holy Martyr Paramon (249-51), the Holy Martyr Philomenus (270-75); Our Father Acacius, of Whom Testimony is Found in the Ladder of Divine Ascent
Nativity Fast
1 Timothy 1:8-14; Luke 14:25-35
Read 1 Timothy 1:8-14
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory forever!
Interesting that St. Paul makes a distinction of lawful use and unlawful use of the law of God. How does one use the law lawfully? And is there a way to use the law unlawfully? St. John Chrysostom says this, “if any one fulfills the law in his actions, it is good. For that is to use it ‘lawfully,’ as here intended. But when one trumpets the law in word but neglects it in deeds, that is using it unlawfully. For such a person uses it, but not to his own profit.” St. John continues that if one uses the law lawfully it will not only benefit a person with blessings of being a keeper of God’s law, but it will also ‘send you to Christ. For since its aim is to justify, when the law itself fails to justify, it sends you to the One who can justify.” (Homilies on 1 Timothy).