As current events go, the past week has been quite eventful. Racist murders in South Carolina, coordinated terrorist attacks in three different countries, two escaped convicts on the run, a landmark ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court on gay marriage. I found myself recalling today the words of a letter written about 100 years after Jesus, a follower of Jesus explaining to someone else the distinctive lifestyle, beliefs, and attitudes of believers. The document is called The Epistle to Diognetus. We don’t know the author or the recipient, but the poignant description of what it means to be a believer in a worldly world is worth pondering during these eventful days. It is a wonderful description of living in the world, but not being of the world. See how you think it may apply today…
THE EPISTLE TO DIOGNETUS (parts 5, 6)
For Christians cannot be distinguished from the rest of the human race by country or language or customs. They do not live in cities of their own; they do not use a peculiar form of speech; they do not follow an eccentric manner of life. This doctrine of theirs has not been discovered by the ingenuity or deep thought of inquisitive men, nor do they put forward a merely human teaching, as some people do. Yet, although they live in Greek and barbarian cities alike, as each man’s lot has been cast, and follow the customs of the country in clothing and food and other matters of daily living, at the same time they give proof of the remarkable and admittedly extraordinary constitution of their own commonwealth.
They live in their own countries, but only as aliens. They have a share in everything as citizens, and endure everything as foreigners. Every foreign land is their fatherland, and yet for them every fatherland is a foreign land. They marry, like everyone else, and they beget children, but they do not commit infanticide. They share their table with each other, but not their marriage bed. It is true that they are “in the flesh,” but they do not live “according to the flesh.” They obey the established laws, but in their own lives they go far beyond what the laws require. They love all men, and by all men are persecuted.
They are unknown, and still they are condemned; they are put to death, and yet they are brought to life. They are poor, and yet they make many rich; they are completely destitute, and yet they enjoy complete abundance. They are dishonored, and in their very dishonor are glorified; they are defamed, and are vindicated. They are reviled, and yet they bless; when they are affronted, they still pay due respect. When they do good, they are punished as evildoers; undergoing punishment, they rejoice because they are brought to life. They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies, and are hunted down by the Greeks; and all the time those who hate them find it impossible to justify their enmity.
What do you think?
Glory hallelujah!! This is just a description of the true Christian!!
This article is awakening to every believer. My heart is ignited to live though in the world but not of the world. Any Christian who would not think and live as the St of old may still be deluded for the cross is a sure pointer to the Crown.
Thanks, I needed that.
This article has touched my heart, because it is exactly the way I feel. I am here yet I am not welcomed anywhere. I am poor yet I am rich, I have nothing yet I have everything, and all of those who despise me, instead of repaying with hatred 98% of the time I smile at them and ask them “how can I serve them?” in a round about way.
Wow. Didn’t even know this writing existed. Beautiful reminder that we are “in the world” but “not of the world” and that evil is prevalent everything. Jesus’ return must surely be close.
I like what l have read and would like to hear more.
This is an excellent reminder, and makes me feel that I am part of a special group that really loves the world that God put us in and yet have him as our protector.
I can imagine a little more now of what the first century christians felt in view of their times.
If this were written 100yrs after Christ then it makes meaning of Jesus’s prayer for His ‘called outs’. Lord give us grace to endure to the end always having in our mind that we are in the World but not of it, amen.
i like it! can u explain what an epistle is and how it relates (or doesnt relate) to the bible?
An “epistle” is simply a letter written to a person or group of people such as the letters Paul wrote to the Romans or the Galatians or the Corinthians in the New Testament.
Inspirational. The goal of a true Christian and one that I personally strive to emulate on a daily basis. Thank you for sharing this Mr. Lawrenz.
This week has been one of those times where I literally fall to my knees and pray “Lord come quickly”. I am at a loss how to pray sometimes. Thank you pastor for sharing this article, I will try to find the rest of it online somewhere. It is not easy to live in a world we are not of, but thankfully we have brothers and sisters in Christ to support one other. Next weekend we celebrate Independence Day. It saddens me to wonder how long this day will have any meaning.
Amen!! Have a blessed and happy Independence Day to all my American brothers and sisters!
Thanks for sharing. The same is true for today.
Exactly so. This could be written at any time in the history of man.
Pretty much describes me. I am 83 years old and a Christian.
I just finished a class on Church History 1. The Epistle of Diognetus is yet another reminder to me of the richness and quality testimonies of believers who exhibited extraordinary faith as they faced the wild animals and the gladiators. We today do not have excuse not to bear witness for Christ in these days of apostasy. We have all the resources much more than the early church had (the Holy Spirit, the complete Bible, over 2000 years of Church History and numerous resources). May we draw strength from all these to live in these difficult days. God bless Pastor Mel
Good points, Emmanuel. May we all have strength, indeed. And integrity with love.
What a blessing…Thank you Mel for this article.. Thank you Jesus for helping People like Mel to share Information like this so People can learn more about you and your people.
In Jesus wonderful name, Amen
I second that Mel!
I would also like to know if there are any other of my brothers and sisters that are the only ones in their families that are following Jesus. I know someday that my family will all follow Jesus, I am trying my best to be a good example and a good influencer for Jesus but sometimes this is very difficult to do when everyone that is around me swears and are doing immoral things etc….
Amen! So true!
This writing reminds me of the Beatitudes, where Jesus himself promised believers that we would be blessed in times of mourning, in times of persecution, or in times when people treat us wrongly.
Our identity in Christ really is apparent in those difficulties(as the text above mentions)–but we endure times like that only because of His presence and grace in our lives. We also know that Jesus promised there would be trouble in this world, but that HE has overcome the world—and because He lives in us, so can we. Thanks for sharing this article, Mel!
POR FAVOR SI PUEDO OBTENER UNA TRADUCCION AL IDIOMA ESPAÑOL MAS COMPLETA HAY PARRAFOS QUE NO SON BIEN CLAROS EN SU DTRADUCCION.
GRACIAS.
As Christ is our advocate before God the Father. Christians should look past the outward behavior of this world. Our posture should be Christ-like, displaying love to persons as Christ did as an example for us in this world.
Excellent referance
One percent perspiration, ninety-nine aspiration.
Exactly Jim. Gee sometimes it gets hot out here. Gotta keep going, take a drink of the living water. We’re not home yet.
Every true. Bible believing, Christian needs to put this on the mirror where they shave, brush their teeth or comb their hair, wash their face, apply their makeup, or perform other daily necessities, and read this letter, while looking at their face and understand who they are REALLY, in relation to this sad and very sick world we live in. It will cause them to raise their eyes to read it. It will cause them, when they read it, to take the focus off of themselves for just a moment, and in the moment, hopefully, offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God Almighty with uplifted eyes for each and every blessing they have, that they may thought of as a curse and remember their Redeemer and His sacrifice for them and realize their responsibility as citizens of the world yet not partakers of or in it; otherwise……….the sacrifice was for nothing.
Jesus once told the disciples when they asked when the world would end and the signs he told them of would occur and He said a few things: “No one knows the day but the Father” and “You know that it is summer when the fig leaves first appear on the trees” (both paraphrased). He also said “it is already at the door” (also paraphrased). The signs are everywhere and multiplying by the day and even we Christians in countries where we are not yet physically persecuted feel persecution and turmoil internally every day. This message lifted my waning spirit and depression and sadness over the state of things in the world today, but I now realize that I am not alone physically here on the planet……I have brothers and sisters everywhere, who are citizens of a far better place just like me and that we can recognize each other by our actions and present our “Passport” to others who may need Him. Jesus also said to “watch and pray” and I’ll close this little comment using those mighty words….watch these works of the enemy unfold and pray for the lost who are partakers in them, then offer a prayer of joy and thanksgiving that you are not and for the strength to continue on the narrow road no matter how hard it becomes!
Nicely said, you should become a pastor if you aren’t already! 🙂
Yep. I just did that.
It is a word of encouragement to christians. Therefore, we should stay put in our faith. We are not of this world. Amen.
A great task of Christian reality for all times. Some are trying to adjust the Word of God with their mare ideas, but we should change life style to be adjusted with Him alone, no compromise. Thank you for sharing such an valuable.
Poignant to say the least. We all knew what the supreme court would decide, yet when I heard it I still had a catch in my breath. We think we are ready for what is coming down the pike, yet, are we? It’s no more than a stubbed toe now but it’s gonna get harder still! I pray that we, and me, will stand tall and firm for our Lord Jesus Christ. May he come sooner rather than later! Thank you for doing what you do to strenghten us.
It is amazing to me how something written more than 1,000 years ago still applies to the world today. I have never knew that this epistle existed. It is too bad that this was not included in the new testament. Perhaps it was not discovered until after the Bible was published?
Thank you. Again reminded it is not our battle. True, sometimes we are called to be warriors for Christ in a value system that is crumbling all around us. But remembering at the end of the day, like Paul and so many others, we are to fight the good fight by being an example and holding tightly to the truth that we are aliens here.
It is a tough gig but then I believe we were told it would be. This is a lovely piece to keep before us on the days when everything seems lost and the frustration outweighs the joy.
Blessings
Laura Padgett
I agree with most of the “Epistle”, but I think that today this sentence “They are treated by the Jews as foreigners and enemies” is no longer applicable and should be disregarded