St. John Chrysostom says, “All these things have been now said by me, not in order that I may discharge the Devil from blame, but that I may free you from laziness … But let us know ourselves. Let us know our wounds. For thus shall we be able to apply the medicines. For he who does not know his disease, will give no care to his weakness. We have sinned much: I know this well. For we are all liable for penalties. But we are not deprived of pardon; nor shall we fall away from repentance for we still stand in the arena, and are in the struggles of repentance.”653
The Fathers cited
- St. John Chrysostom