OS (Text) -- 16

79 The Lord, wishing to show that every commandment is obligatory and that the adoption as son has been given in his own blood, says: ‘When you do those things which have been commanded you, say that we are worthless slaves and what we owe to do we have done.’ [Cf. Luke 17, 10.] Because of this, the Kingdom of the Heavens is not the wage of works (erga) but grace of the Master readied for faithful slaves. The slave does not demand his freedom as a wage, but he gives thanks as debtor and receives [it] by grace.

80 ‘Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,’ [1 Cor. 15, 3] and grants the gift of freedom to those who serve him well. For he says: ‘Well, good and faithful slave. Over a little were you faithful; over many things will I place you. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’ [Matt. 25, 21.]

The slave is not yet faithful who is supported by mere gnosis, but who believes by means of obedience to Christ who gives the commandments.

81 He who honours the Master does those things that have been commanded by him. Having committed a fault or having been disobedient, he patiently endures as his own the things that come upon [him] [cf. Matt. 24, 45–51]. Being a lover of learning, become also a lover of taking pains. For mere gnosis puffs up the man [cf. 1 Cor. 8, 2].

82 Those temptations that unexpectedly occur to us teach us by divine dispensation to become lovers of taking pains.

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