Despising This Present World
Clement of Rome encourages believers to leave the world behind and focus on living a holy and righteous life to attain the promise of Christ.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of doing the will of God and not fearing death in this present world, drawing parallels between lambs among wolves and believers facing persecution. Jesus reminds Peter not to fear those who can harm the body but to fear God who has power over both soul and body. Clement urges believers to focus on the promise of eternal life by living holy and righteous lives, detaching from worldly desires to stay on the path of righteousness.
Text
Wherefore, brethren, leaving our sojourn in this present world, let us do the will of Him that called us, and not fear to depart out of this world. For the Lord says, You shall be as lambs in the midst of wolves. And Peter answered and said unto Him,What, then, if the wolves shall tear in pieces the lambs?
Jesus said unto Peter, The lambs have no cause after they are dead to fear the wolves; and in like manner, fear not them that kill you, and can do nothing more unto you; but fear Him who, after you are dead, has power over both soul and body to cast them into hell-fire. And consider, brethren, that the sojourning in the flesh in this world is butbrief and transient, but the promise of Christ is great and wonderful, even the rest of the kingdom to come, and of life everlasting.
By what course of conduct, then, shall we attain these things, but by leading a holy and righteous life, and by deeming these worldly things as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them? For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness.
Sermon Outline
- Leaving the World Behind
- Fear Not the Wolves
- The Transient Nature of Life
- Leading a Holy Life
- Deeming worldly things as not belonging to us
- Not fixing desires on worldly things
Key Quotes
“The lambs have no cause after they are dead to fear the wolves;” — Clement of Rome
“Fear Him who, after you are dead, has power over both soul and body to cast them into hell-fire.” — Clement of Rome
“For if we desire to possess them, we fall away from the path of righteousness.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should prioritize spiritual life over worldly desires and focus on doing God's will.
- We should fear God, who has power over both soul and body, rather than those who can only harm our physical bodies.
- Leading a holy and righteous life is essential to attaining the promise of Christ.