“Not as wanting our attendance did He give command to follow Him, but in order to bestow on us salvation. For to follow the Saviour is to partake of salvation, and to follow the light is to receive the light. But they who are in the light do not themselves enlighten the light, but are enlightened and shone upon by it. They indeed contribute nothing to it, but receiving the benefit, they are enlightened by the light.
So also is absolute subjection to God; to Him indeed it contributes nothing, nor hath God need of the homage of men, but He Himself on such as follow and serve Him bestows life and incorruption and eternal glory; doing good to those who serve Him for their service, and to those who follow Him for their attendance, but not receiving good from them; for He is rich, perfect, and without need of anything.
But to this end doth God require service from men, that because He is good and merciful, He may do good to those who abide in His service. For as truly as God is in need of nothing, so truly is man in need of communion with God: This being the glory of man, to persevere and abide in God’s service.
And therefore the Lord said to His disciples, You have not chosen Me, but I have chosen you (John 15:16) intimating that they in following Him were not adding glory to Him, but that in following the Son of God they were receiving glory from Him.”
St. Irenaeus in Five books of St. Irenaeus, Bishop of Lyons: Against Heresies trans. John Keble (London: James Parker & Co., 1872) 844.