Grace and baptism

[Marie C.]

I was reading St Theophan the Recluse, and he speaks of preserving the grace of baptism. How do we "preserve" the grace of baptism?

[Herman Blaydoe]

Grace is a gift. It can be refused. It can be left in the cupboard, neglected and forgotten. We preserve the Grace of baptism through nepsis which is spiritual watchfulness, continual repentence and prayer. We don't take it for granted. We don't become passive in our Faith, but always strive to be active. We do not want to become spiritual pew potatoes.

[Marie C.]

Thank you for the reply Herman.

I understand the neptic tradition in Orthodoxy. But let's say this is in reference to children (which is what St Theophan was referring to), who having been baptized, are not following the neptic tradition. Have they lost the grace of baptism? And what is the parent to do, if anything?

I ask this because I have children and grandchildren.

[Paul Cowan]

Matthew 18:1 At that time the disciples came to Jesus, saying, “Who then is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?”
2 Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, 3 and said, “Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. 4 Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. 5 Whoever receives one little child like this in My name receives Me.
Jesus Warns of Offenses

6 “Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea.

Each of us are "graded" on our ability to understand. Hence the idea of age of accountability. It is up to the parents and other adults in the Church to help raise the young in piety. As they learn more, they will be held accountable for more. You cannot expect a toddler to be able to write a High school term paper. However, he/she could begin to learn how to write their name with a crayon.

Children have very short attention spans, but they can say prayers before meals and bed. They can participate in family conversations on right versus wrong decisions. They can be held accountable for their actions as far as they are able to understand the consequences.


Proverbs 22:6 Train up a child in the way he should go,
And when he is old he will not depart from it.

Well, he may for a while as all prodigal sons will, but I am finding my way back, so there is hope for others.


The Discipline of God

Hebrew 12:3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:


“ My son, do not despise the chastening of the LORD,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6 For whom the LORD loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]

7 If[b] you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

Paul

[Kusanagi]

I was reading St Theophan the Recluse, and he speaks of preserving the grace of baptism. How do we "preserve" the grace of baptism?

by following the commandments and to pray and to try not to fall into sin.