There are, as St. Basil states, three stages by which we can be pleasing to God. The first, is that of fearing punishment. This makes us worthy and we are in the place of slaves. The second, the state of slaves working for money, fulfilling orders for our gain, and by so doing earning our hire. The third is the state of sons, where we struggle for the highest good. Because a son, when he becomes mature, does his father's will not on account of fear of being beaten, nor to obtain a reward from him, but rather because he knows that he is loved. He loves and honors his father, and he is sure that
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