“Man’s first enemy is the devil, the second is sin, and the third is death. The Lord Jesus conquered all three of these enemies of the human race. By His humiliation He conquered the proud devil; by His death He conquered sin; and by His Resurrection He conquered death. In conquering all of our enemies, He invites us to be partakers in His glorious victory. It is not that we ourselves conquer, but that we are joined to the Victor. Only His power conquers, only His weapons vanquish. We are without power and weapons, but our enemies are frightful. With Him and alongside Him, we conquer those mightier than ourselves. What is the price He offers to us for His victory? A meager price, my brethren; for a very paltry price He offers us the most precious victory. To humble ourselves and to submit ourselves to the will of God— that is the price He seeks to conquer the devil for us. To die unto ourselves, to die to fleshly desires and passions— that is the price He seeks to conquer sin for us. To live for Him and not for ourselves, to receive Him into our hearts— that is the price He seeks to conquer death for us.”
(St Nikolai Velimirovich, ‘The Prologue’)
 
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