A certain monk prayed earnestly, saying: “Lord, you are merciful and patient, so why is it so difficult to save a soul and why is hell full of sinners?” He prayed for a long time, asking God this question. And finally, an Angel of God appears to him and says: “Come on, I’ll show you the paths that people walk.” They left the cell and the Angel led the elder into the forest. - Do you see that woodcutter who is carrying a heavy bundle of firewood and does not want to throw off even a little to make it easier? - asked the cherub. In the same way, some people bear their sins and do not want to repent. Afterwards, the Angel shows the old man a well of water and says: “Do you see the madman who draws water from the well with a sieve?” This is how people repent. They draw the grace of forgiveness, and then sin again and the grace flows away like water through a sieve. Again the angel shows the man to the monk and says: “Do you see this one who put a log across his horse and is trying to ride into the temple of God on horseback, but the log gets stuck in the door?” This is how people do their good deeds - without humility and in pride - without knowing their value. And now, elder judge for yourself, is it easy for God to save such people, matching mercy with His justice?
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru