In everything we do, God takes into account the purpose


The friends of Christ love everyone from the heart. But they are not loved by everyone. And the friends of the world neither love everyone, nor are they loved by everyone. The friends of Christ keep their love uninterrupted until the end; the friends of the world, until they clash with each other because of the things of the world.

In all that we do, God takes into account the purpose, as has often been said: whether we work for Him, or for something else. Therefore, when we want to do any good, let us have as our purpose not the pleasure of men, but God, so that, always looking to Him, we may do everything for Him, lest we both endure fatigue and lose the reward.

Saint Maximus the Confessor

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