On the Twelve Abuses of the World, with extracts from On the Soul and its Origin and On the Divination of Demons against the Pagans

shows that he loves Him. How, therefore, the words of the Holy Spirit through John indicate that the world is to be loved, when he says: "Do not love the world, nor the things that are in the world." For the love of the world and the love of God cannot dwell together in one heart, just as the eyes of the same person cannot behold heaven and earth at the same time. But it must be inquired whether there is anything in the world that ought to be loved, and what that "world" is which divine eloquence forbids us to love. As for other things, with the creatures born from it, and metals, and living beings, and the beauty of garments, and the pleasures of foods, and those things which pertain to these, it is commanded that they not be loved; rather, it is commanded that our neighbor, for whose sake all these things were made, be loved. For all these aforementioned things, as if not enduring, cannot accompany one to the heavenly fatherland; but neighbors, as future co-heirs of the King who dwells there, are rightfully loved as oneself. Therefore, that which always remains in the world and will likewise fail in the world, and the world itself, is forbidden to be loved; but the neighbor, who is a part of the heavenly kingdom, is loved—indeed, the kingdom of heaven is sought by internal alms, and it is not unfitting to love him, since he will be a co-heir eternally in that highest fatherland. The present world, however, is commanded not to be loved, lest anyone, being a stranger to the love of God, be affected by the love of the age. Therefore, one ought not strive to possess what is not permitted to be loved. Thus, a Christian who holds to the likeness of Christ the Anointed One must have the likeness of His ways. For a Christian is not rightly called [a Christian] unless he equates himself to Christ in his behavior. Indeed, the prophet says of Christ: "Behold, my son, my elect, in whom my soul is well-pleased; I will place my spirit upon him. He will not cry out, nor will he shout, nor will his voice be heard by others in the street." Behold, Christ does not shout; and if you desire to remain in the likeness of His ways, do not shout, nor exalt yourself as a Christian in the church. For Christ commands His followers: "Do not be called Rabbi; for one is your Master, who is Christ; and do not call [anyone] father upon the earth, for one is your Master and your Father who is in heaven. For you are all brothers," to whom He commanded to pray when He said, "Our Father," etc. Therefore, he strives in vain to claim a fatherland on earth who professes to have a Father and a homeland in heaven.