Let us love one another and be loved by God; let us be patient with one another and He will be patient with our sins. Let us not render evil for evil, and we shall not receive our due for our sins. For we find the forgiveness of our trespasses in the forgiving of our brothers; and the mercy of God is hidden in mercifulness to our neighbor. Therefore the Lord said: ‘Forgive, and you shall be forgiven.’ And: ‘ If you will forgive men their offenses, your heavenly Father will forgive you also your offenses.’ And again: ‘Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.’ And: ‘With what measure you mete, it shall be measured to you again.’ See, the Lord bestowed on us the method of salvation and has given us eternal power to become sons of God. So finally then our salvation is in our will’s grasp.
Maximos the Confessor
