Continue reading Thankfully

In truth, our evil comes out of our want of resemblance to God, and our ignorance of Him; and, on the other hand, our great good consists in our resemblance to Him. And, therefore, our conversion and faith in the Being who is incorruptible and divine, seems to be truly our proper good, and ignorance and disregard of Him our evil; if, at least, those things which are produced in us and of us, being the evil effects of sin, are to be considered ours. Methodius of Olympus. 1886. “Fragments.” In Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the … Continue reading Unless you believe

This, in truth, must be called most excellent and praiseworthy, which God Himself considers excellent, even if it be despised and scoffed at by all. For things are not what men think them to be. Methodius of Olympus. 1886. “Fragments.” In Fathers of the Third Century: Gregory Thaumaturgus, Dionysius the Great, Julius Africanus, Anatolius and Minor Writers, Methodius, Arnobius, edited by Alexander Roberts, James Donaldson, and A. Cleveland Coxe, translated by William R. Clark, 6:382. The Ante-Nicene Fathers. Buffalo, NY: Christian Literature Company. Continue reading They are what God says they are

“Let the glory of Yahweh endure forever; Let Yahweh be glad in His works; He looks at the earth, and it trembles; He touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to Yahweh throughout my life; I will sing praise to my God while I have my being. Let my musing be pleasing to Him; As for me, I shall be glad in Yahweh.” Psalm 104:31–34 We love Hom because He first loved us! While we were yet sinners He died for us! “As for me, I shall be glad in Yahweh” and may His glory endure forever! And … Continue reading Not decided by the stars

“But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment.” – Jesus Matthew 12:36 “Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He has been manifested to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself. And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment” – Hebrews 9:26-27 “And thous shalt call His name Jesus; for He shall save His people from their sins” – Matthew … Continue reading Don’t trample it

Well, I observe again, that the centurion, a man exceedingly wealthy and well dowered with worldly influence, possessed a faith surpassing that of all Israel; so that, even if there was any one who had forsaken all, that man was surpassed in faith by this centurion. But some one may now reason with us thus: It is not a good thing, consequently, to give up riches. Well, I reply that it is a good thing for those who are capable of it; but, at the, same time, to employ riches for the work of righteousness and mercy, is a thing … Continue reading Employ your goods

Although, then, the sun has a greater glory than the moon, it does not follow that the moon is thereby reduced to a condition of dishonour. And even thus, too, although my Lord Jesus Christ excelleth Moses in glory, as the lord excelleth the servant, it does not follow from this that the glory of Moses is to be scorned. For in this way, too, we are able to satisfy our hearers, as the nature of the word itself carries the conviction15 with it, in that we affirm what we allege on the authority of the Scriptures themselves, or verily … Continue reading The glory of Moses

“I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live” – Deuteronomy 30:19 Continue reading Weighty