orthodoxgladness:

The soul perishes, if you do not defend your faith, and if you perish, defending your faith, the gates of the Kingdom of Heaven open before you. – St. Gabriel (Urgebadze)

Our choices are clear: save ourselves and accept the death of our soul or die to ourselves and inherit eternal life.

We cannot have both. The chasm between those two decisions is infinite. It would seem so simple – chose eternal life! But it is never that simple when we are placed in the burning fire. So we must prepare now for when the flames lick at the soles of our feet.

Choose this day whom you will serve.