Matthew 11:27-29

All things are delivered unto me of my Father: 

and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; 

neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, 

and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Come unto me, 

all ye that labour and are heavy laden, 

and I will give you rest. 

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; 

for I am meek and lowly in heart: 

and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Fullness of God Dwells in Jesus 

The Blood brings Peace

Reconciliation to God

Continue in Faith

Grounded not moved

In Hope

Colossians 1:19-23

For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.

And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;

Jesus did not commit Himself to them…for He knew what was in man. JOHN 2:24-25

Put Trust in God First. Our Lord never put His trust in any person. Yet He was never suspicious, never bitter, and never lost hope for anyone, because He put His trust in God first. He trusted absolutely in what God’s grace could do for others. If I put my trust in human beings first, the end result will be my despair and hopelessness toward everyone. I will become bitter because I have insisted that people be what no person can ever be— absolutely perfect and right. Never trust anything in yourself or in anyone else, except the grace of God.

Beware of pronouncing any verdict on the life of faith if you are not living it.

Psalms 150:1-2, 6

Praise ye the LORD.

Praise God in his sanctuary:

praise him in the firmament of his power.

Praise him for his mighty acts:

praise him according to his excellent greatness.

Let every thing that hath breath praise the LORD.

Praise ye the LORD.

To Be Born Again:

Believe Jesus is who He Says He is. 

Believe and Accept the truth about your sin filled condition. 

Humbly ask for Mercy and Grace to repent (renounce sin and self) and go forward  in His plan by being transformed by renewed heart and mind surrendering to His Will and Power. 

Heart:

Broken

Submissive

Humble

Dependent 

Mind:

Want His Will

Want His Way

Want His Time

Love Righteousness 

Hate Evil

Trust HIM Completely 

Spirit:

Pray for:

Discernment 

Strength

Courage 

Peace

Body:

Obey God

Forsake Our Idols

Look to the Holy One of Israel the Maker

Or there will be Desolation!

Don’t forget God of Salvation

The Rock of Strength 

Isaiah 17:7-10

At that day shall a man look to his Maker,

and his eyes shall have respect

to the Holy One of Israel.

And he shall not look to the altars, 

the work of his hands,

neither shall respect that 

which his fingers have made,

either the groves, or the images.

In that day shall his strong cities be

as a forsaken bough…

and there shall be desolation.

Because thou hast forgotten 

the God of thy salvation,

and hast not been mindful 

of the rock of thy strength…

The Wicked will do wicked

The Righteous will be tried and made pure 

Only the Wise Understand 

Daniel 12:10

Many shall be purified, and made white, 

and tried; 

but the wicked shall do wickedly: 

and none of the wicked shall understand; 

but the wise shall understand.

Daniel 12:13

But go thou thy way till the end be: 

for thou shalt rest, 

and stand in thy lot at the end of the days.

DO YOU WANT TO SEE CHANGE IN THE WORLD?

EMBRACE THE CROSS-IT PURIFIES

Repent yourself and 

Abandon yourself to God’s Power

Preach the truth and 

be willing to be crucified for it

Our Master and Lord did the same!

He showed us the Way… FOLLOW HIM

Zechariah 13:9

And I will bring the third part through the fire,

and will refine them as silver is refined,

and will try them as gold is tried:

they shall call on my name, 

and I will hear them:

I will say, It is my people:

and they shall say, 

The LORD is my God.

1 Peter 4:18-19

And if the righteous scarcely be saved, 

where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

Wherefore let them that suffer 

according to the will of God 

commit the keeping of their souls to him 

in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.

Stop being a coward!

Be willing to tell people their sin

To save their soul. 

Approving their sin 

Is killing their soul. 

Stop partnering with evil

God wants souls not their comfort!

If you don’t understand JESUS is God, you may not be saved. The church (magisterium) explains Tradition (Jesus is God) which is just as important to know that Scripture is the Word of God.

If these are in you 

let them abound to fruit 

from the Knowledge of 

our Lord Jesus Christ!

If this fruit is in you, be diligent in keeping it

This will make your calling and election secure

You will not fall if you mind these things

You will be in the everlasting kingdom 

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:8-9

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

2 Peter 1:10-11

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

You cannot give what you don’t have:

Get these…..in order…..

You cannot have Charity without faith or anything in between….

Add to faith, virtue

Add to virtue, knowledge 

Add to knowledge, temperance

Add to temperance, patience

Add to patience, godliness 

Add to godliness, brotherly kindness 

Add to brotherly kindness, charity 

2 Peter 1:5-7

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

Grace and Peace

Through knowledge of God and Jesus 

Divine Power

Given us

Through knowledge of Him

Called us to Glory

Called us to Virtue

Given us promises 

To partake of Divine Nature

Escaping the worldly lust

2 Peter 1:2-4

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

Grace and Peace

Through knowledge of God and Jesus 

Divine Power

Given us

Through knowledge of Him

Called us to Glory

Called us to Virtue

Given us promises 

To partake of Divine Nature

Escaping the worldly lust

2 Peter 1:2-4

Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.

You cannot give what you don’t have:

Get these…..in order…..

You cannot have Charity without faith or anything in between….

Add to faith, virtue

Add to virtue, knowledge 

Add to knowledge, temperance

Add to temperance, patience

Add to patience, godliness 

Add to godliness, brotherly kindness 

Add to brotherly kindness, charity 

2 Peter 1:5-7

And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

If these are in you 

let them abound to fruit 

from the Knowledge of 

our Lord Jesus Christ!

2 Peter 1:8-9

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

If this fruit is on you be diligent in keeping it

This will make your calling and election secure

You will not fall if you mind these things

You will be in the everlasting kingdom 

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ

2 Peter 1:10-11

Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

Speak Truth to those who are in error

So that they may repent and do good

CONFRONTING SIN

not EXCUSING SIN

Pray for those doing evil to turn!

That we have righteousness In the earth!

We are reaping our weak so called Christianity!

Sow Truth!! Reap Righteousness!!

Quit putting Man above the Creator!

Acts 8:21-24

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

The Good Seed are 

Children 

Of The Kingdom!

Matthew 13:37-38

He answered and said unto them, 

He that soweth the good seed 

is the Son of man; 

The field is the world; 

the good seed are 

the children of the kingdom; 

but the tares are 

the children of the wicked one;

Psalms 146:1-2

Praise ye the LORD.

Praise the LORD, O my soul.

While I live will I praise the LORD:

I will sing praises unto my God 

while I have any being.

Psalms 146:3-4

Put not your trust in princes,

nor in the son of man, 

in whom there is no help.

His breath goeth forth, 

he returneth to his earth;

in that very day his thoughts perish.

Psalms 146:5-10

Happy is he that 

hath the God of Jacob for his help,

whose hope is in the LORD his God…

which keepeth truth for ever:

Which executeth judgment for the oppressed…

the LORD loveth the righteous…

but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down.

The LORD shall reign for ever,

even thy God, O Zion, 

unto all generations.

Praise ye the LORD.

Lamentations 3:24-26

The LORD is my portion, 

saith my soul; 

therefore will I hope in him.

The LORD is good unto them 

that wait for him, 

to the soul that seeketh him.

It is good that a man should 

both hope and quietly wait 

for the salvation of the LORD.

2 John 1:9-11

Whosoever transgresseth, 

and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, 

hath not God. 

He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, 

he hath both the Father and the Son. 

If there come any unto you, 

and bring not this doctrine, 

receive him not into your house, 

neither bid him God speed: 

For he that biddeth him God speed 

is partaker of his evil deeds.

Isaiah 8:13-14a

Sanctify the LORD of hosts himself;

and let him be your fear, 

and let him be your dread.

And he shall be for a sanctuary;

Jesus, I trust You. I don’t need to understand everything that’s happening—I just need to be still, and know You. You fight for me. You died for me. You are for me. Thank You. You are enough for me, and so I will place my hope, trust, joy, and future in You. I believe in You. Amen.

The KINGDOM the POWER and the GLORY 

ARE YOURS 

FOREVER AND EVER!

AMEN 

Psalms 145:10-13

All thy works shall praise thee, O LORD;

and thy saints shall bless thee.

They shall speak 

of the GLORY 

of thy KINGDOM ,

and talk 

of thy POWER;

To make known to the sons of men 

his mighty acts,

and the glorious majesty of his kingdom.

Thy kingdom is an everlasting kingdom,

and thy dominion endureth 

throughout all generations.

There are two kingdoms 

Gods and

World/Flesh/Evil

God’s leads to Peace and Heaven

World/Flesh/Evil leads to Emptiness and Hell

They Way to God’s kingdom is CHRIST JESUS

The way to World/Flesh/Evil kingdom is not accepting CHRIST JESUS 

What Did Jesus Preach?

The predominant focus of mainstream Christianity is the undeserved crucifixion of Jesus Christ, and the subsequent forgiveness of sins that is available through accepting that sacrifice. While this selfless act was and is unquestionably momentous, and its effects exceedingly far-reaching, many would be shocked to find out that the Bible defines the gospel differently than what they have always been told. A thoughtful reading shows that accepting Christ's blood in payment of our sins—as foundationally important as it is—is actually not the focus of the "good news" that He brought and that the apostles continued to preach.

In addition to dying for our sins, Jesus Christ came to earth as a messenger from God the Father:

Behold, I send My messenger [John the Baptist], and he will prepare the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple, even the Messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight. Behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. (Malachi 3:1)

Jesus did not speak His own words, but the words that the Father gave Him (John 8:38-42; 12:49-50; 14:24). His message was not primarily about Himself, but rather the good news that the Father ordained to be announced on earth. While Jesus Christ was categorically the most important individual ever to walk this earth, the Bible shows clearly that the gospel that Jesus brought was notsimply about Himself. Read His statements, and prove this for yourself:

» And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. (Matthew 4:23)

» And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people. (Matthew 9:35)

» Now after John was put in prison, Jesus came to Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel." (Mark 1:14-15)

» [Jesus] said to them, "I must preach the kingdom of God to the other cities also, because for this purpose I have been sent." (Luke 4:43)

» Now it came to pass, afterward, that [Jesus] went through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings [gospel] of the kingdom of God. (Luke 8:1)

» The law and the prophets were until John. Since that time the kingdom of God has been preached, and everyone is pressing into it. And it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away than for one tittle of the law to fail. (Luke 16:16-17)

» And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:14)

The inspired Word of God makes it abundantly plain: The "good news" that Jesus Christ brought was about the Kingdom of God! The "gospel of Jesus Christ" is simply the message of good news that Jesus preached—not a message about Jesus. It is not primarily a message about the events in His life and of His becoming the Savior of the world—although it most certainly does include all that. But if the events of His life are not seen in the context of what He said, the resulting "faith" will be full of error and ultimately disastrous!

The announcement of "good news"—the very best news that could be heard today—which the Father gave through Jesus Christ, was about His Kingdom being established on earth.

But what is a kingdom? It is essentially a nation, with all of its citizens, land, and laws, ruled by a government. In biblical usage, a kingdom can also mean a family from a single parent grown into a nation.

A kingdom has four basic elements: 1) a king, supreme ruler, or governing agent; 2) territory, with its specific location and definite boundary lines; 3) subjects or citizens within that territorial jurisdiction; 4) and laws and a form of government through which the will of the ruler is exercised. If we ignore any one of these essential elements—if we ignore the message that Jesus Christ brought from the Father—we will have a distorted faith, one that will not bring salvation

https://www.truegospel.org/index.cfm/fuseaction/basics.tour/id/2/What-Did-Jesus-Preach.htm

Psalms 144:15b

Happy is that people, 

whose God 

is the LORD.

Romans 14:11-12

For it is written, 

As I live, saith the Lord, 

every knee shall bow to me, 

and every tongue shall confess to God.

So then every one of us 

shall give account of himself to God.

Romans 16:25-27

Now to him that is of power

 to stablish you according to my gospel, 

and the preaching of Jesus Christ, 

according to the revelation of the mystery, 

which was kept secret since the world began, 

But now is made manifest, 

and by the scriptures of the prophets, 

according to the commandment 

of the everlasting God, 

made known to all nations 

for the obedience of faith: 

To God only wise, be glory 

through Jesus Christ for ever. 

Amen.

Hosea 9:1

Rejoice not, O Israel, 

for joy, as other people:

for thou hast gone a whoring 

from thy God!

Psalms 23

A PSALM OF DAVID.

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

He maketh me to lie down in green pastures:

he leadeth me beside the still waters.

He restoreth my soul:

he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,

I will fear no evil: for thou art with me;

thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies:

thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life:

and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Psalms 143:6, 8, 10-11

I stretch forth my hands unto thee:

my soul thirsteth after thee, 

as a thirsty land. Selah.

Cause me to hear 

thy lovingkindness in the morning;

for in thee do I trust:

cause me to know the way 

wherein I should walk;

for I lift up my soul unto thee.

Teach me to do thy will; 

for thou art my God:

thy spirit is good; 

lead me into the land of uprightness.

Quicken me, O LORD, 

for thy name's sake:

for thy righteousness' sake 

bring my soul out of trouble.

You have a choice, seek, listen, obey, and live.  

Read the word and do it - in His Power. 

Stop sinning! 

Stop approving and encouraging others sins!

Jesus came to save us from our SIN. 

Luke 4:4

It is written, 

That man shall not live by bread alone, 

but by every word of God.

Deuteronomy 8:2

The LORD thy God led thee…

to humble thee, and to prove thee, 

to know what was in thine heart, 

whether thou wouldest 

keep his commandments, 

or no.

Matthew 1:21

His name is JESUS: 

for he shall save his people 

from their sins.

Job 4:17-21

Shall mortal man be more just than God?

shall a man be more pure than his maker?

Behold, he put no trust in his servants;

and his angels he charged with folly:

How much less in them 

that dwell in houses of clay, 

whose foundation is in the dust, 

which are crushed before the moth?

They are destroyed from morning to evening:

they perish for ever without any regarding it.

Doth not their excellency which is in them go away?

they die, even without wisdom.

One of my absolute favorite verses…

What’s it to you?

Mind our own business!

Do what I tell you!

Hahahahahaha

Go Jesus!

I have to preach this to myself daily!

John 21:22

Jesus saith unto him, 

If I will that he tarry till I come, 

what is that to thee? 

follow thou me.

God reveals in John 17 that His purpose is not just to answer our prayers, but that through prayer we might come to discern His mind. 

The things we are going through are either making us sweeter, better, and nobler men and women, or they are making us more critical and fault-finding, and more insistent on our own way. 

The things that happen either make us evil, or they make us more saintly, depending entirely on our relationship with God and its level of intimacy.

Oswald Chambers

No man cared for my soul

Thou art my refuge

Bring my soul out of prison

That I may praise thy name

Psalms 142:4-7

I looked on my right hand, and beheld,

but there was no man that would know me:

refuge failed me;

no man cared for my soul.

I cried unto thee, O LORD:

I said, Thou art my refuge

and my portion in the land of the living.

Attend unto my cry;

for I am brought very low:

deliver me from my persecutors;

for they are stronger than I.

Bring my soul out of prison,

that I may praise thy name:

the righteous shall compass me about;

for thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

John 20:30-31b

These are written, 

that ye might believe that 

Jesus is the Christ, 

the Son of God; 

and that believing 

ye might have life through his name.

Jesus is alive 

He wants to talk with you

He wants to guide you

Don’t forsake the fountain of living waters 

Don’t look to man-this is a curse

Give your heart to the Lord

Look to Jesus 

Your heart is wicked and tries to deceive you

You must run to Jesus and let him heal and guide it. 

He wants to heal your thoughts

He wants to save you

Come praise Him for his love

Be Blessed by trusting in Jesus

Hope in Jesus only!

He offers-I must choose to respond. 

My Responsibility is my response. He gives me free choice to do what I choose. No one forced someone to believe anything. It is a free choice. Choose Jesus not man nor myself. 

I have been looking to man and the “church” to guide….all men are corrupt. I must ABANDON myself to Jesus and listen to Him. He is alive and talking….LISTEN and OBEY in his Power…not mine. He did not leave us here alone. The Spirit guides and is the power. I must choose to come, seek, listen, and surrender. 

Jeremiah 17:5

Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man, and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.

Jeremiah 17:7

Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.

Jeremiah 17:9

The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?

Jeremiah 17:13

O LORD, the hope of Israel, all that forsake thee shall be ashamed, and they that depart from me shall be written in the earth, because they have forsaken the LORD, the fountain of living waters.

Jeremiah 17:14

Heal me, O LORD, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise.

Zechariah 8:8b

and they shall be my people, 

and I will be their God,

in truth and in righteousness.

Zechariah 1:3-4

Thus saith the LORD of hosts;

Turn ye unto me, 

saith the LORD of hosts,

and I will turn unto you, 

saith the LORD of hosts.

Be ye not as your fathers, 

unto whom the former prophets have cried, saying,

Thus saith the LORD of hosts; 

Turn ye now from your evil ways, 

and from your evil doings:

but they did not hear, 

nor hearken unto me, 

saith the LORD.

Zechariah 8:16-17

These are the things that ye shall do; 

Speak ye every man the truth to his neighbour; 

execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates: 

And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; 

and love no false oath: 

for all these are things that I hate, 

saith the LORD.

We blame things on the devil 

that are actually the result of 

our own undisciplined natures. 

Just think what we could be 

when we are awakened to the truth!

The Christian life is 

one of spiritual courage and determination 

lived out in our flesh.

Oswald Chambers

For the past three hundred years 

men have been pointing out how similar 

Jesus Christ’s teachings are 

to other good teachings. 

We have to remember that Christianity, 

if it is not a supernatural miracle, 

it is a sham. 

Oswald Chambers

Renewal of Baptismal Promises

Leader: Do you renounce sin,
so as to live in the freedom of the children of God?
All: I do.

Leader: Do you renounce the lure of evil,
so that sin may have no mastery over you?
All: I do.

Leader: Do you renounce Satan,
the author and prince of sin?
All: I do.

Leader:Do you believe in God, the Father almighty,
creator of heaven and earth?
All: I do.

Leader: Do you believe in Jesus Christ,
his only Son, our Lord,
who was born of the Virgin Mary,
suffered death and was buried,
rose again from the dead,
and is seated at the right hand of the Father?
All: I do.

Leader: Do you believe in the Holy Spirit,
the Holy Catholic Church,
the communion of saints,
the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body,
and life everlasting?
All: I do.

Leader: And may almighty God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ
who has given us new birth
by water and the Holy Spirit,
and bestowed on us forgiveness of our sins,
keep us by his grace,
in Christ Jesus our Lord,
for eternal life.
All: Amen.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O Lord, 

to Receive Glory and Honor and Power: 

for Thou hast Created ALL Things, 

and for Thy Pleasure 

they Are and Were Created.

1 Chronicles 29:11

Thine, O LORD, is the 

Greatness

Power

Glory

Victory

Majesty

for All that is in the 

Heaven and in the Earth 

is Thine; 

Thine is the Kingdom, O LORD, 

and Thou art Exalted 

as Head Above All.

You wrote a plan for everyday of my life. The plan is written in your book. This plan was fashioned before I was even born. 

You have graced me with being able to respond to you. 

You gave Cain, King Saul, Israelites, and Judas direct instructions-they chose their own way instead of yours even after they knew you. 

We have free Will to respond to you or not. Though Faith is a gift from you so is responding. You let us choose. You want trust and love not robots. We cannot know you unless you call but we can choose to resist grace or listen and follow in your power.  All glory is yours!

Please Lord help me make the right decisions and follow your plan. It is the best for my soul. You know what I need. Thank you for calling me to you. Help me surrender to your plan and power. I am responsible for my responses. Amen. 

Psalms 139:16

Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect;

and in thy book all my members were written,

which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.

Worship is a Response 

To who God Is

And What God Has Done

Not a church service or song or message

It is falling on your face prostrate 

In acknowledgment and awe of his glory

It is a HEART Attitude 

Letter to Diognetus

The Christian is to the world 

what the soul is to the body. 

As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. 

As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. 

The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. 

Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred. 

It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. 

The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. 

As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. 

Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.