[ We've had the following for awhile---not sure where or when we received it, but when we read and re-read SLOWLY, (smile) then pondered, we were impressed, encouraged and challenged by the lesson/s within. We decided to share it, trusting it will be a blessing. Obviously, we can't certify it's source etc. ]
(from the Epistle of Diognetus)
Written by an anonymous author
around the year 180AD.
"For the Christians are distinguished from other men
neither by country, nor language,
nor the customs which they observe.
For they neither inhabit cities of their own,
nor employ a peculiar form of speech,
nor lead a life, which is marked out by any singularity. . .
They dwell not in their own countries,
but simply as sojourners.
As citizens, they share in all things with others,
and yet endure all things as if foreigners.
Every foreign land is to them as their native country,
and every land of their birth as a land of strangers.
They marry, as do all [others];
they beget children;
but they do not destroy their offspring.
They have a common table, but not a common bed.
They are in the flesh, but they do not live after the flesh.
They pass their days on earth,
but they are citizens of heaven.
They obey the prescribed laws,
and at the same time surpass the laws by their lives.
"They love all men, and are persecuted by all.
They are unknown and condemned;
they are put to death, and restored to life.
They are poor, yet make many rich;
they are in lack of all things, and yet abound in all;
they are dishonoured,
and yet in their very dishonour are glorified.
They are evil spoken of, and yet are justified;
they are reviled, and bless;
they are insulted, and repay the insult with honour;
they do good, yet are punished as evil-doers.
When punished, they rejoice as if quickened into life;
they are assailed by the Jews as foreigners,
and are persecuted by the Greeks;
yet those who hate them are unable to assign
any reason for their hatred."
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Philippians 1:27 (NIV)
Whatever happens,
conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ.
Then, whether I come and see you
or only hear about you in my absence,
I will know that you stand firm in one spirit,
contending as one man for the faith of the gospel.
Phil 3:17-21 (TLB)
Dear brothers, pattern your lives after mine (Paul's),
and notice who else lives up to my example.
{18} For I have told you often before,
and I say it again now with tears in my eyes,
there are many who walk along the Christian road
who are really enemies of the cross of Christ.
{19} Their future is eternal loss (destruction),
for their god is their appetite:
they are proud of what they should be ashamed of;
and all they think about is this life here on earth.
{20} But our homeland is in heaven,
where our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, is;
and we are looking forward to his return from there.
{21} When he comes back,
he will take these dying bodies of ours
and change them into glorious bodies like his own,
using the same mighty power
that he will use to conquer all else everywhere.
