CHRISTIANS CONDEMN CHRISTIANS

When any Christian has begun to live holily, to be fervent in good works, and to despise the world, in this newness of his life, he is exposed to the attacks and contradictions of lax or cold Christians.  

But if he perseveres and gets the better of them by his endurance, and faints not in good works, those very same persons who before hindered him will now respect him; for they rebuke and hinder him so long as they have any hope that he will yield to their perversity.  But if the Christian perseveres and makes progress, the lax Christians turn round and begin to say, "He is a great man, a holy man."  

They honour him, and bless and laud him just as that multitude did which was with the Lord in the days of His flesh.  They first hindered the blind men that they might not cry unto Him to restore their sight; but when they continued to cry so as to attain to be heard and answered, that same multitude now sayeth, "Jesus calleth you" and they who a little before rebuked them that they should hold their peace now use the voice of approval and exhortation.  

So, thus, the good Christian must continue in his good works in spite of rebukes from the cold disciples of Christ.  

Saint Augustine

(10-30-04)