Future World
To ensure our salvation, we must prioritize our relationship with God and renounce the things of this world, lest we face eternal punishment.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the impossibility of serving both God and worldly desires, highlighting the need to choose one over the other. He warns against the allure of material gain at the expense of losing one's soul, stressing the importance of prioritizing eternal values over temporary pleasures. Clement urges believers to renounce the corruptible things of this world and focus on the incorruptible blessings to come, emphasizing the necessity of obeying Christ's commandments to avoid eternal punishment. He underscores the significance of maintaining holiness and righteousness, as even the righteousness of Noah, Job, and Daniel could not save their children, pointing to the need for personal obedience and faithfulness.
Text
Now the Lord declares, No servant can serve two masters. If we desire, then, to serve both God and mammon, it will be unprofitable for us. For what will it profit if a man gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? This world and the next are two enemies. The one urges to adultery and corruption, avarice and deceit; the other bids farewell to these things.
We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both; and it behooves us, by renouncing the one, to make sure of the other. Let us reckon that it is better to hate the things present, since they are trifling, and transient, and corruptible; and to love those [which are to come,] as being good and incorruptible.
For if we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; otherwise, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we disobey His commandments. For thus also says the Scripture in Ezekiel, If Noah, Job, and Daniel should rise up, they should not deliver their children in captivity. Now, if men so eminently righteous are not able by their righteousness to deliver their children, how can we hope to enter into the royal residence of Godunless we keep our baptism holy and undefiled? Or who shall be our advocate, unless we be found possessed of works of holiness and righteousness?
Sermon Outline
- The Dilemma of Serving Two Masters
- The Lord's Declaration
- The Unprofitability of Serving Both God and Mammon
- The Consequences of Disobeying Christ's Commandments
Key Quotes
“For what will it profit if a man gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” — Clement of Rome
“We cannot, therefore, be the friends of both; and it behooves us, by renouncing the one, to make sure of the other.” — Clement of Rome
“If we do the will of Christ, we shall find rest; otherwise, nothing shall deliver us from eternal punishment, if we disobey His commandments.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We must prioritize our relationship with God above all else, including material possessions and worldly desires.
- Our baptism and works of holiness and righteousness are essential for our salvation.
- Disobeying Christ's commandments will lead to eternal punishment and separation from God.