Beloved, we write these things not only to admonish you but also to remind ourselves, for we are in the same arena and the same contest lies before us.
Therefore let us leave behind empty and pointless concerns and come to the glorious and venerable rule of our tradition.
Let us see what is good, what is pleasing, and what is acceptable in the sight of the one who made us.
Let us fix our eyes on the blood of Christ and recognize how precious it is to his Father, because, being poured out for our salvation, it offered the grace of repentance to the whole world.
Let us pass through every generation and learn that in generation after generation the Master has given an opportunity for repentance to those who are willing to turn to him.
Noah preached repentance, and those who obeyed were saved.
Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites, but when they repented of their sins, they propitiated God by their supplication and received salvation, even though they were strangers to God.