Any number of Orthodox conversations turn around the topic of “theosis” (to become “like God”). I’m never quite sure what people have in mind when they invoke the term. Do they imagine divine power or a transfiguration in divine light? In a culture marked by success stories, it’s easy to imagine theosis as just that. Indeed, I’m told that among Mormons, their teaching of theosis imagines each of us getting our own planet. How American.
The Scriptures have very little to say about becoming “like God.” However, they are not silent on the matter. There are two key passages that come to mind, both from similar places and topics in the gospels – one in Matthew, the other in Luke.
“But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. For if you love those who love you, what reward have you? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet your brethren only, what do you do more than others? Do not even the tax collectors do so? Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” (Matthew 5:44–48)
“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. Therefore be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful.” (Luke 6:35–36)
“Sons of the Most High” – this simple phrase is the equivalent of theosis. And the model is quite clear: God is utterly generous, giving to all without regard to what they might deserve. “He is kind to the unthankful and evil.”
Our culture is deeply transactional in its shape and theory. We buy and sell and give rewards to the deserving. We proudly declare, “There’s no such thing as a free lunch.” For many, there is a deep-seated satisfaction with what they “earn.” Indeed, when the “undeserving” are rewarded, segments of the culture fall into deep dudgeon.
Perhaps this is a proper way to structure an economy (perhaps not). It is clearly not a blueprint of the Kingdom of God nor the path towards likeness to God. The words of Christ are not exaggerations – to be like God is to enter into a path of gratuitous generosity – to give without expecting in return. It transcends the debt-burdens that are the hallmark of transactional cultures. God is “kind to the unthankful and evil.”
The transactional world of reward and punishment is also a world in which those who have seek to exercise power over those who have not. Little wonder that we expect God to do the same. “Why do the evil prosper?” is the complaint of our transactional mind. It is not fair. It is not just.
St. Isaac of Syria wrote: “We know nothing of God’s justice – only His mercy.” This makes complete sense in the light of these verses. The nature of the Kingdom of God (as revealed in the commandments of Christ) is utter gratuitousness – it is grace poured out without measure.
One interesting place to see this at work is in the giving of thanks. In a culture of transaction, the question concerning thanks is always framed in terms of “for what am I giving thanks?” We assume that a transaction has taken place – we have been given something and should therefore be thankful. It can be as though the giving of thanks is a payment for services rendered. Though it is entirely appropriate that we give thanks for what we have received, it is also appropriate (and important) to give thanks freely without regard for what we have received.
Christ, in sending His apostles out on their first mission, said:
“Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.” (Matt. 10:8)
In the same manner, in the passage from Luke cited earlier, He said, “Do good, and lend, hoping for nothing in return.” This can be practiced easily by sharing our goods with others. It can also be practiced in the manner in which we give thanks.
To give thanks, purely as a gift and not as a transaction, is to enter into the gratuitous character of God Himself. It makes of us “Sons of the Most High.” We become like God. This is a habit of the soul. Grounding ourselves in giving thanks always, everywhere, (and for all things – or simply as an act of worship) draws the soul into union with the gracious God. Learning to give thanks apart from a transaction can also teach us to give to others without a transaction – expecting nothing in return (including meeting our expectations of usefulness and worthiness).
Hidden within this is a joy that a transactional life cannot match. It is a participation in the generosity of God, the light of kindness in the midst of a dark world of selfish greed. This joy is rooted in love, for it is love that gives without expecting in return, that refuses transactions, that forgives seventy times seven, that rejoices in the rain that falls on everyone without regard for their just deserts. It is love that gives thanks always and for everything.
Joy.
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