Why are we talking about Western Legalism again? I don\'t get it... I am reading a 4th century saint Nifon\'s biography these days, translated from a 1000 year old manuscript, that has the saint quoting that the reason humans will be condemned on Judgment Day is not because of sinning, but because of NOT repenting. This has nothing to do with Western legalism, but is 100% Orthodox doctrine. When we justify our behavior, this is not repentance, but acceptance, whether it has been done through economia (hopefully to avoid a worse sin) or not.
I still think that some people are trying to justify themselves by looking for priests that will tell them what they want to hear, instead of facing their own weaknesses and admitting them, even if it is 70x7 times. Where is the struggle to \"teleiothta\" (perfection) that married life is supposed to help those who chose it attain? There is certainly a disparity between spiritual fathers these days, but by trying to twist meanings and justify ourselves and our passions, we are not struggling to overcome our weaknesses. If you are chosing to use contraception, don\'t try to justify it other than by admitting it is your own personal passion and weakness, and yes, I fully agree that this admission is a confession between you and your spiritual Father.
Orthodox brethren...let us be careful...Don\'t Justify...Confess your weaknesses...It\'s the only way to allow Divine Grace to help us through them...(What is impossible for humans is possible for God)...That\'s all I have been warning against here.
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