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What is the Fear of God?
In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the fear of God is not about terror or punishment but a deep reverence born from love.
A World of Rebellion and Glory
As citizens of God’s kingdom, we are called to engage the world by discerning between its God-given goodness and its potential to become a rival to God.
Judgment and Grace as One
“He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” (Luke 3:16) The same divine fire brings warmth to the repentant and burns the unrepentant. God’s presence doesn’t change—we do.
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Exploring the Messianic Fulfillment in Luke 4:17-19
Here’s an excerpt from my online Bible Study. In this discussion of Luke 4, we delve into the second half of Luke 4:17-19, where Jesus reads from Isaiah’s prophecy and declares His Messianic mission. The passage states that the Spirit of the Lord is upon Jesus, anointing Him to preach the Gospel, heal the broken-hearted, deliver the captives, and give sight to the blind. In this discussion, we link Jesus’ mission to the concept of the Jubilee Year, a time of liberty and restoration in Israel, symbolizing the Messianic reign.
The Ministry of Jesus in Galilee: Insights from Luke 4:14-15
In this excerpt from my online Bible Study, we explore Luke 4:14-15, where Jesus returns to Galilee empowered by the Spirit and begins teaching in synagogues, earning widespread praise. Saint Ephraim the Syrian and Origen emphasize Jesus’ spiritual power and the significance of teaching within the synagogue. The discussion highlights the centrality of the worshiping community in experiencing and learning the faith. The episode concludes with a reflection on facing temptations with God’s strength and becoming ambassadors of His grace.
The Temptation of Christ: A Paradigm for Christian Struggle
Just as Jesus faced 40 days of temptation after His baptism, we too can expect spiritual struggles when we get serious about our faith. Being in the wilderness isn’t a sign of failure.
The People that We Meet
When we give our lives over to Christ, one of the first places He begins working is in the people we meet. It’s easy to say, “Thank you, God, for bringing this person into my life,” when someone is helpful, supportive, and inspiring.
But what about those people who test our patience, who annoy us, or who we’d rather avoid? Can we still say, “Thank you, God, for bringing this person into my life”?
Every person Christ sends our way is there for a reason—either so we can serve Christ through them, or so we can learn something about ourselves that’s needed for our spiritual healing and growth. “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Whether a person brings us joy or frustration, every encounter is a chance to break free from our egos and selfishness, and to truly live for others. The only thing we need to ask God is for the wisdom to discern why He brought us together.
Even those who annoy or persecute us are there to teach us compassion, kindness, and forgiveness. They help us learn to deal with negative emotions without letting bitterness take root. And sometimes, we’re the ones God has sent into someone else’s life to help them grow in patience and love.
Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly
Repentance isn’t abstract—it’s manifested by love in action. If you love God, serve your neighbor. That’s the fruit God is looking for.
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Unpacking the Prayer “Lord, Have Mercy”
Visit an Eastern Orthodox worship service, and you’ll see how much we love the prayer, “Lord, have mercy.” In this short phrase, we find everything we need in our prayers.
We call God “Lord.” This word may not carry the same weight for us in the modern world, but in biblical times, to call someone “Lord” was to acknowledge their authority over our lives. By addressing God as Lord, we are declaring our obedience and allegiance to Him as the one who is truly in charge.
Next, we ask for His mercy. Understanding the ancient meaning of this word deepens our prayer. In Hebrew, the word for mercy is hesed, which can also be translated as “steadfast love.” For example, in the Psalms, you might see “God’s mercy endures forever,” or in other translations, “God’s steadfast love endures forever.” Both phrases translate the same Hebrew word. To call upon God’s mercy, then, is to trust ourselves to His loving embrace.
In Greek, the word is eleos. There is only a one-letter difference between eleos (mercy) and eleon (olive oil). This connection is significant. In the Old Testament, olive oil was poured over the heads of kings, prophets, and priests during their anointing. This ritual symbolized that, by themselves, human beings are insufficient for these ministries, but through God’s wisdom and strength—His grace—they are able to fulfill their calling. Even today, in the Orthodox Church, we pray that God’s grace will “fill that which is lacking and heal that which is broken” during ordination.
Olive oil, then, becomes a symbol of God’s strength and wisdom. In the story of Noah, the dove returns with an olive branch, signaling that the floodwaters are receding and that God is offering humanity a new beginning—a chance for renewal. Olive oil was also used in the ancient world as a salve to heal wounds, protecting and cleansing them. This, too, reflects God’s mercy as His healing grace.
When we pray, “Lord, have mercy,” we are asking God for the most essential gifts: His strength and wisdom, His forgiveness, and His healing grace. All of these flow from His steadfast love for us, enabling us to embrace and live out the gift of salvation given to us by Jesus Christ, every day of our lives.
Eastern Orthodoxy 