Library › Metropolitan Platon of Moscow › Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)

Orthodox Doctrine (Summary of Christian Divinity)

Metropolitan Platon of Moscow, tr. Pinkerton, 1814

12. Part 1, Section 12: Reward of True Worship

Such divine worship cannot remain without its reward.

As the justice and holiness of God require that we should turn away from those who disregard and transgress against his holy will, so they require those to be beloved and rewarded who unfeignedly reverence God, and seek in the paths of virtue an union with him; otherwise, the wicked and the righteous would be alike to God; a supposition which it is not only impossible to entertain concerning the Deity, but even concerning a good man. This subject is finely illustrated by the conversation which Abraham had with God: “And Abraham drew near, and said, Wilt thou also destroy the righteous with the wicked? That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked; and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee. Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” Gen. xviii. 23—25. And the apostle to the Hebrews says, chap. xi. 6. “For he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”