There is this incessant misconception involving the way in which Orthodox Christians should live with blurred lines of confusion of what is right and wrong in terms of practice. As an Orthodox Christian, there is an emphasis on acquiring humility and patience, through continual prayer, repentance, and love towards one another. Unfortunately, this current epoch of an existence is far from what is expected from us as not only Christians, but as an entire population of humans. Through the rapid explosion of technological advances, medical science discoveries, social behavior, humans are vey lost, drifting far away from God. With all the distractions there are today, it is very easy to be possessed by the physical aspects rather than the spiritual ones.
People would prefer to stay home on a Sunday morning just to sleep-in long enough to watch a football game. Others, tentative about attending Sunday service, give their own children the choice of whether or not they want to attend Sunday School, as an attempt to “skip” church that day.
There are even people who just stop going to church altogether just because they do not feel the need to go. The sad part about all these scenarios is that they are considered a ‘normative’ behavior and these individuals see no problem with it whatsoever.
The enormous shift in values and traditions around most families is quite alarming. The devoid of our Lord being centered of our lives is an endangering practice. Being an Orthodox Christian is not only a once-a-year experience or private worship time at home. Life, as an Orthodox Christian is a consistent, unending path with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ leading our way, according to His Will, and not our own.
Due to the many interruptions there are nowadays, we are forgetting why we are here. We are not alive for the sake of fulfilling the hedonistic tendency that has flooded the newer generations of human beings. We are the sinful salts of the earth that must attempt to grow in Christ and life one-step at a time. The main problem we have is not only hedonism but also indifference. People seem to care less about purpose or meaning of anything. Some only want to take from life all that they can take, with no intention of giving anything back.
Going to church once a week is the very least Orthodox Christians can do to practice their faith. It is amazing what one Liturgy service can do to someone. It could be one Gospel or Epistle reading, or even the priest’s sermon that can make a difference. As simple phrase or message could be taken from that one-time visit each week to God’s House. It all sounds so simple. Yet, why is it so difficult to do?
It is only through our Lord Jesus Christ, that we can be forgiven and allowed access into the Kingdom of God. However, we have only one lifetime to get this right! Heaven is an honor, a blessing, granted to us not an entitlement. Just because you are an Orthodox Christian, does not imply complete remission of sins if you do not actively practice the faith accordingly.
Beloved you must understand this life is only temporary. God can grant us life as quickly as He can take life away. Repent your sins and be sincere in your apologies. Ensure you treat others with dignity and respect, without expecting anything in return. Above all you must love the Lord Jesus Christ with all your heart, mind, and strength. Do not forget all that Jesus has done for us, and place Him in the hope of our salvation.
