The saints frequently describe the life of faith as a synergy between the human and God. Each has their part to do which is part of the mystery of faith in an omnipotent God who grants free will to His creatures. God does not do for us what we must choose to do for ourselves. God warned Noah about the flood but did not build him the ark. On the other side of that, we need so many things from God which we constantly seek, such as God’s mercy. Our best efforts will fall short if we don’t connect with God. I think the Virgin Mary expresses it well in her hymn in Luke 1:46-50 where though she is fulfilling the heights of being human she recognizes this is God’s wish and will for the world and not just for her life. If there is no “God with us” our greatest miracles will be no more than a temporary delay of the universal decline into entropy.
“My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has regarded the low estate of his handmaiden. For behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name. And his mercy is on those who fear him from generation to generation.”
This cooperation between the Creator and human creatures is readily found in Orthodox spiritual writings.
St John Chrysostom says: ‘A man’s readiness and commitment are not enough if he does not enjoy help from above as well; equally help from above is no benefit to us unless there is also commitment and readiness on our part. These two facts are proved by Judas and Peter. For although Judas enjoyed much help, it was of no benefit to him, since he had no desire for it and contributed nothing from himself. But Peter, although willing and ready, fell because he enjoyed no help from above. So holiness is woven of these two strands. Thus I entreat you neither to entrust everything to God and then fall asleep, nor to think, when you are striving diligently, that you will achieve everything by your own efforts.” (St Theodoros the Great Ascetic, The Philokalia, Kindle Loc. 11142-51)
An important point for us – even being a chosen apostle does not guarantee synergy or communion with God. Being Apostles was no advantage to either Judas or Peter over us in terms of cooperating with God for salvation. If we think faithfulness is hard and would be made easier if Jesus did a bit more, we might remember it didn’t help Judas to be one of the Twelve Chosen and to walk with Jesus daily. Faith is the willingness to cooperate with God to accomplish God’s will. It doesn’t guarantee that were won’t be struggle or loss or sorrow or setback. It does mean believing despite all these struggles. It means being judged in our current circumstance, not in some better time. “For if the readiness is there, it is acceptable according to what a man has, not according to what he has not” (2 Corinthians 8:12). We are not told to do our best in perfect circumstances, rather we are told to be perfect in the circumstances we find ourselves. Which means in the end we need God’s mercy.
Fraternized 