That Incredible Christian

by | Apr 18, 2022 | Reflections

Having authority in the Kingdom of God has nothing to do with possessions or multitudes. Having authority has to do with how we live our lives. Have you ever wondered why Christianity was so powerful during the most hostile era in history? You will find the answer below:

“Christians are not distinguished from other people by country, language, or customs; they do not live in their own cities, or speak a strange dialect, or have a peculiar lifestyle.

Their teachings are not the product of human invention or speculation; nor are they propagating mere human teachings as some people do. They live in Greek cities and also in foreign cities, wherever chance has placed them. They follow local customs regarding dress, food, and other aspects of life. But at the same time, they demonstrate to us the wonderful and certainly unusual form of their own citizenship.

They live in their own native lands, but as foreigners; as citizens, they share all things with others; but as foreigners, they suffer all things. Every foreign country is to them like their native country, and every native land like a foreign country.
They marry and have children, like everyone else. But they do not kill unwanted babies. They share their table, but not their bed. They are currently in the flesh, “but they are not in the flesh.” They are spending their They live days on earth, but they are citizens of heaven. They obey the established laws and go beyond the laws in their own lives.
They love everyone, yet are persecuted by everyone. They are unknown and condemned; they kill them and still gain life. They are poor and yet enrich many. They lack everything, yet have many things. They are dishonored yet gain glory through dishonor.

Their names are blackened and yet are clean. They are mocked and bless in return. They are treated scandalously and behave respectfully toward others. When they do good, they are punished as wrongdoers; when they are punished, they rejoice as if given new life. They are attacked by Jews and foreigners and are persecuted by Greeks; yet those who hate them can give no reason for their hostility.

To put it simply, the soul is to the body as Christians are to the world. The soul extends through all parts of the body. Christians throughout all the cities of the world. The soul is in the body but not of the body; Christians are in the world but not of the world.

(From an anonymous letter to Diognetus, dated 130 AD)


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Fanny Basta

Written By Fanny Basta

Fanny Basta is a Christian writer and speaker who met Jesus more than 40 years ago. She spent 30 years as a missionary planting churches in Western Europe, teaches the Perspectives course in churches across the USA, and is the author of The One Who Breaks Through. She directs 7,000 Knees. Married for 40 years, she is a mother of three and a grandmother.

Read more at fannybasta.com →

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