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  REASON OF DESIRING TO DIE
  by Ignatius of Antioch
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Summary: Ignatius desires to die for Christ and prioritizes His love
over worldly desires.

Topics: "Martyrdom", "Spiritual Nourishment"
Scripture References: John 4:14, John 6:35, John 6:55, Galatians 5:16, 1 John 2:15

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DESCRIPTION
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Ignatius of Antioch urges the believers in Rome to resist the
temptations of the world and remain steadfast in their faith in Jesus
Christ. He emphasizes the importance of choosing God over worldly
desires, warning against envy and distractions that may lead them
astray. Ignatius expresses his willingness to die for Christ and his
longing for spiritual nourishment from the bread of God, symbolizing the
flesh of Jesus, and the drink of His blood, representing incorruptible
love and eternal life.

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CONTENT
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The prince of this world would fain carry me away, and corrupt my
disposition towards God. Let none of you, therefore, who are [in Rome]
help him; rather be ye on my side, that is, on the side of God. Do not
speak of Jesus Christ, and yet prefer this world to Him. Let not envy
find a dwelling-place among you; nor even should I, when present with
you, exhort you to it, be ye persuaded, but rather give credit to those
things which I now write to you.

For though I am alive while I write to you, yet I am eager to die for
the sake of Christ. My love has been crucified, and there is no fire in
me that loves anything; but there is living water springing up in me,
and which says to me inwardly, Come to the Father. I have no delight in
corruptible food, nor in the pleasures of this life.

I desire the bread of God, the heavenly bread, the bread of life, which
is the flesh of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, who became afterwards of
the seed of David and Abraham; and I desire the drink, namely His blood,
which is incorruptible love and eternal life.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/reason-of-desiring-to-die/
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