8 August 2024
In the beginning, therefore, did God form Adam, not as if He stood in
need of man, but that He might have [some one] upon whom to confer His
benefits. ... Nor did He stand in need of our service when He ordered us to
follow Him; but He thus bestowed salvation upon ourselves. For to follow the
Saviour is to be a partaker of salvation, and to follow light is to receive
light. But those who are in light do not themselves illumine the light, but are
illumined and revealed by it: they do certainly contribute nothing to it, but,
receiving the benefit, they are illumined by the light. Thus, also, service
[rendered] to God does indeed profit God nothing, nor has God need of human
obedience; but He grants to those who follow and serve Him life and
incorruption and eternal glory, bestowing benefit upon those who serve [Him],
because they do serve Him, and on His followers, because they do follow Him;
but does not receive any benefit from them: for He is rich, perfect, and in
need of nothing. But for this reason does God demand service from men, in order
that, since He is good and merciful, He may benefit those who continue in His
service. For, as much as God is in want of nothing, so much does man stand in
need of fellowship with God. For this is the glory of man, to continue and
remain permanently in God's service.
St. Irenaeus of Lyons
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