I have shared with you, my readers, that Theophan believed that a sinner (i.e., a person who is not concerned about God or their spiritual) is in the same position as a man who is submerged in deep sleep. Just as such a man cannot awake himself or get up if some danger approaches – he needs someone else to come and awaken him – so also one who is submerged in the sleep of sin cannot come to his senses and collect himself. He cannot rise up if God’s grace will not come to his assistance.

According to God’s infinite mercy, as revealed to us through Jesus, God’s grace is available for everyone. It comes around to everyone and appeals in a distinct way to each person.

This comparison of sinners to sleepers gives us points for a comprehensive examination of conversion to God. Theophan gives this example: One who is asleep first wakes up, then gets out of bed and, finally, makes up his mind to go do something. So also a sinner who turns towards God and repents: first he wakes up from the sleep of sin, then he comes to some determination to change, and finally he clothes himself in strength for a new life through the Church’s sacraments. The parable of the prodigal son articulates these moments. First, the prodigal came to himself – he came to his senses.  Then he said, I will arise and go – he decided to change his life. Then, he arose and went to his father and said, I have sinned and do not deserve to be called your son. This was his repentance. The father responded by clothing him in his best robe (indicating forgiveness), putting a ring on his finger (indicating the son’s nobility), and then throwing a banquet, indicating union-with (communion) with the father.

All of us, says the Gospel, are sinners except Jesus Christ. This means that all of us need to change the way that we think so that we can live more like Jesus Christ. A sinner is one who allows his natural    tendency to be distracted by this world and not focus on God and salvation.