Show me proof that being lost means you are in a deliberate state of Mortal sin?
I will let the saints speak again as I have been.
The rich ,an’s soul was full of sores as Lazarus’ body. His soul was a true image of Lazarus’ body, and Lazarus’ body was a true image of his soul. God thus placed two men on earth to be a mirror the one one of the other: one in the mansion and the other at its gate. The rich man’s outward splendour mirrored Lazarus’inner state, and Lazarus’ outward suppurating sores mirrored the rich man’s inner state.
St Nicholai Velimirovich
The rich man, who was being condemned for the enormity of his sins, Probably thought: ‘I have sinned greatly, But what is the reason For my being roasted here in the fire without any pity?’ When the Lord, Who knows all, hears these words, He revealed to the sinner the cause of his punishment. For while he was in Hades he looked on high, And he saw Lazarus in the bosom of Abraham. Then he recognized the man who formerly was poor, and was amazed as he saw The one whom he scorned on earth, while he enjoyed himself and did not cry: 'Have pity, Lord.'
St Romanos the Melodist
By this omission of the rich man’s name, He (the Lord) revealed a heavenly mystery. The name of such a rich man will be unknown in heaven. It will not be mentioned among the angels and saints; it will be blotted out of the Book of Life.
St Nicholai Velimirovich (on the parable of Lazarus and the rich man)
By this [wanting to help his brothers] he revealed a particular sin of his: the scandalizing of others. He was in hell, not only because he was unmerciful to Lazarus but also because, by his light-minded life, he had given an evil example to his brothers, and thus brought them to ruin, opening the way to hell to them also. To be the cause of scandal to others is a terrible sin. To slip oneself and drag others down with one deserves a far fiercer condemnation than to slip oneself…He wanted Lazarus to come to him and forgive him, and then to put right his sin against his brothers. Then his flames would be soothed and his torments eased. This plea, then, he made to Abraham not so much for his brothers’ sake as his own.
St Nicholai Velimirovich
In the same way reason with yourself concerning the rich and the avaricious. Robbers lie in wait in the way and plunder travellers, and hide the wealth of others in their own lurking-places----in caves or dens. Do not, therefore, think them happy on account of the present, but miserable on account of the future----on account of the fearful judgment, the inevitable account to be rendered----the outer darkness which will envelop them. Even though robbers often escape the hand of men, yet, notwithstanding though we know this, we deprecate for ourselves such a life as theirs, or even for our enemies we should deprecate such an accursed prosperity. Yet with respect to God such a thing cannot be said. No one can escape His judgment, but all who in any way live in covetousness and rapine will undergo the punishment allotted by Him----that deathless punishment which has no end,----
in the same way as also did this rich man.
St John** Chrysostom (on Lazarus and the Rich Man)**
Still it came to pass that a man living in wickedness and inhumanity enjoyed every kind of good fortune, and a just and virtuous man lingered in the greatest ills. For that Lazarus was a just man is made plain, as in the other case, by his end, and even before his end, by his patience and poverty. Do you not, indeed, seem to see these things present before our eyes? The ship of the rich man was laden with merchandise, and sailed with a fair wind.
But do not marvel; for it was borne on to shipwreck, since he was not willing to bestow its burden wisely. Would you that I should give another proof of his wickedness? It is his living in luxury every day without fear.
For this in truth is the height of wickedness; and not only now, (in this dispensation,) when we are required to show such moderation, but even in the beginning, under the old covenant, when there was no revelation of the need of this self-control. For hear what the prophet says: “Woe to them that come to an evil day, that come near, and that make a Sabbath of lies,” (Amos vi. 3, LXX.)
St John Chrysostom
