Monday, December 17, 2012

Repenting from Jealousy in the Church

These things, beloved, we write unto you, not merely to admonish you of your duty, but also to remind ourselves.  For we are struggling on the same arena,* and the same conflict is assigned to both of us.  Wherefore let us give up vain and futile cares, and approach to the glorious and venerable rule of our holy calling.  Let us attend to what is good, pleasing, and acceptable in the sight of Him who formed us.  Let us look steadfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world.  Let us turn to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him.  Noah preached repentance, and as many as listened to him were saved.  Jonah proclaimed destruction to the Ninevites; but they, repenting of their sins, propitiated God by prayer, and obtained salvation, although they were alienated from God.†

1 Clement 7


* Clement has been writing of jealousy and the resulting strife.
† Clement gives extreme examples to show the window of repentance is open regardless of the number that may turn.  Noah's preaching saved only eight, and they were of his family. From Jonah's preaching, the capital city of Assyria repented to a man.

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