Chapter 64

Fear of God Will Lead to the Goal

How can you attain the state of standing unwaveringly before God?—Begin with walking before Him with fitting feelings. From this will come fear of God, which will lead you to the goal you seek. This is the true way—spiritual to a spiritual state. But the mechanical method, like that of Gregory of Sinai, is only an aid, and by itself does not lead to the goal. But with mental practices, it is necessary to join also active practices: keep your conscience pure, refine the flesh, persevere in prayer—all in the spirit of contrition and humility with reverence. (4, 453)

Frequent remembrance of God without reverence dulls the feeling of fear of God, and through this deprives it of the salutary action which belongs to it in the sphere of spiritual movements and which nothing else can produce. (4, 412)

It is good that you love the remembrance of God… add to it also reverent fear. The remembrance of death does not depress and does not bring gloom, but only arouses watchful vigilance over yourself… You must always hold together both the joyful and the sobering. Both love and fear must be in force… Angels stand before God with fear and trembling… and the Apostle commanded us to work out our salvation with fear and trembling (). (11, 84–85)