St Symeon the New Theologian | God's grace is preserved through the practice of the commandments...

The roof of a house rests on its foundations and walls; correspondingly the foundations themselves are laid in the manner required for them to serve as support for the roof.

A roof cannot stand without foundations, and foundations without a roof serve no living or practical purpose.

Similarly, God's grace is preserved through the practice of the commandments, while the practice of the commandments is as it were the foundation for the divine gift.

The grace of the Spirit will not remain with us without the practice of the commandments, nor will the practice of the commandments serve any useful purpose without the grace of God.

St Symeon the New Theologian