Explore "My Religion" by Leo Tolstoy on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
LET all the world practise the doctrine of Jesus, and the reign of God will come upon earth; if I alone practise it, I shall do what I can to better my own condition and the condition of those about me. There is no salvation aside from the fulfilment of the doctrine of Jesus. But who will give me the strength to practise it, to follow it without ceasing, and never to fail? "_Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief._" The disciples called upon Jesus to strengthen their faith. "_When I would do good_," says the apostle Paul, "_evil is present with me_. " It is hard to work out one's salvation.
A drowning man calls for aid. A rope is thrown to him, and he says: "Strengthen my belief that this rope will save me. I believe that the rope will save me; but help my unbelief. " What is the meaning of this? If a man will not seize upon his only means of safety, it is plain that he does not understand his condition.