“The commandments are not impositions from some despot, but rather the therapeutic cure for a complete recovery from the corruption of our nature. The Lord did not give commandments from the height of His Divine greatness, but rather came down among us and observed these commandments Himself first, exhorting us to imitate Him as His true friends (see John 15:14).”
—Prologue from Elder Joseph the Hesychast: Struggles – Experiences – Teachings