The Art of Spiritual Life

4.46. Drive out all snakes

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.45. Sincere love for the spiritual father

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.44. The standard is the gospel

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.43. The path to a new life

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.42. Respect the uniqueness of the person

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.41. Prison or hospital?

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.40. Obedience to God's Word

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.39. The importance of expressing thoughts

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.38. Obedience to ascetic exercises

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.37. Repentance not as punishment, but as medicine

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.36. A rule for life

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.35. Safe way

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.34. Trials to strengthen others

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.33. The importance of choosing a spiritual father

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.32. Obedience heals

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.31. Obedience leads to freedom and great gifts

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.30. Humility drives away demons

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.29. The importance of right intention

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.28. When does a person leave his spiritual father?

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.27. Explanation of the severity of the spiritual fathers

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.26. A spiritual father is like a potter

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.25. An example of obedience

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.24. Progression in spiritual life

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.23. The right medicine to heal the soul

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”

4.22. Let us not weaken testimonies with distrust

4th Step – On Obedience

The Ladder of Divine Ascent was written primarily for monks. However, the words of Saint John Climacus at the beginning of the first chapter indicate that his intention is to address every person who longs for salvation. He says: “The gates of eternal life are open to all. The goal of our life is to follow Christ and to become like Him in His divine love.”