An Orthodox Christian Manifesto | Spiritually Grounded

The Lord demands from each of His followers, not only to have faith in Him and believe that He is the Son of the True God, but also to live out that faith by centering our lives on Christ – to walk with Him and to live for Him.

So when Christ asks and thrice repeats, “Do you Love Me?” _{John 21:15-17}

I will candidly search my heart, and earnestly seek how I might prove my love for Him who is Love.

When commanded to “Sell everything you have and come follow Me.” _{Luke 18:22}

I will examine where my loyalty lies, whether with God or mammon, and offer more than just out of my abundance.

When Jesus boldly exclaims, “let the dead bury their own dead but you go and preach the Kingdom of God.” _{Luke 9:60}

I will acknowledge the cost of discipleship, and will endeavor to proclaim the gospel in every word and deed, being careful never to waste my efforts on that which leads not to everlasting life.

When Christ demands my loyalty by asserting, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” _{Matthew 10:37}

I will testify through my relationship with the Savior by ranking Him first amongst all other relationships and preoccupations.

When the Teacher explains, “If you love Me, keep my commandments.” _{John 14:15}

I will strive to live daily by His Holy commandments, entreating for the strength to live by His every Word, and seeking His mercy as often as I fall short.

When sternly warned, “If your right eye causes you to sin, pluck it out and cast it from you; for it is more profitable for you that one of your members perish, than for your whole body to be cast into hell.” _{Matthew 5:29}

I will examine every aspect of my being and seek out all instigators of corruption, and like one in need of healing I will approach the Physician to sever the contaminants from my soul in order that I may be made well.

When questioned about my slothfulness, “Could you not watch with Me one hour?” _{Mark 14:37}

I will struggle evermore to keep watch to ensure I fall not into temptation – knowing too well that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.

When Jesus boldly declares that He is the Bread of Life asserting, “Whoever eats My flesh and drinks My blood has eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” _{John 6:54}

I will affirm and confess to the last breath that the life giving Eucharist is the holy Body and the precious, true Blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of our God. Amen.

And when Jesus personally calls me, “You did not choose Me but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” _{John 15:16}

I will look to Him in submission, asking Him for the grace to hear whatever He calls me to do, and for the wisdom to act according to His will.

Christ requires that we strive for holiness, that we dedicate ourselves wholly to Him and that we put Him above all else. Nothing of this world should ever take precedence in place of our Lord, for what profit is to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul (Matthew 16:26). Let each of us therefore demonstrate, by manner of living, that it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me (Galatians 2:20).

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