Gleanings from Orthodox Christian Authors and the Holy Fathers

promises

Now I say this so as not to despair when He threatens but divert His anger by repentance, and not lose heart when He promises good things but by zeal and concern for our way of life call the promises into effect. If in fact we do not do this, the promise alone is not sufficient to save. For He promised Judas that he would take his seat on the throne with the eleven disciples, but he did not take it; the responsibility, however, lay not with the promiser but with the one who proved undeserving of the promise. Accordingly, let us, who have a promise of kingdom, not be indifferent but instead make our contribution so that we may succeed in attaining the eternal good, thanks to the grace and lovingkindness of our Lord Jesus Christ, to Whom be the glory and the power for ages of ages. Amen. St. John Chrysostom, Commentary on the Psalms, Vol. 2