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  VEXING THE RIGHTEOUS
  by Clement of Rome
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Summary: Clement of Rome's sermon highlights the persecution of the
righteous by the wicked and the importance of enduring such trials with
faith in God's protection.

Topics: "Persecution Of Saints", "Trust In God"
Scripture References: Psalm 119:105, Matthew 5:10, Romans 8:17, 2 Timothy 3:16, 1 Peter 4:14

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DESCRIPTION
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Clement of Rome admonishes the brethren to focus on matters concerning
salvation rather than engaging in unnecessary contention. He urges them
to turn to the Scriptures, the true words of the Holy Spirit, which
contain no unjust or counterfeit teachings. Clement highlights how the
righteous throughout history were persecuted, imprisoned, stoned, and
slain not by the holy, but by the wicked and envious. Despite their
sufferings, the righteous endured gloriously, trusting in the Most High
as their Defender and Protector, ultimately becoming heirs of glory and
honor in God's eternal kingdom.

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CONTENT
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Ye are fond of contention, brethren, and full of zeal about things which
do not pertain to salvation. Look carefully into the Scriptures, which
are the true utterances of the Holy Spirit. Observe that nothing of an
unjust or counterfeit character is written in them.

There you will not find that the righteous were cast off by men who
themselves were holy. The righteous were indeed persecuted, but only by
the wicked. They were cast into prison, but only by the unholy; they
were stoned, but only by transgressors; they were slain, but only by the
accursed, and such as had conceived an unrighteous envy against them.
Exposed to such sufferings, they endured them gloriously. For what shall
we say, brethren? Was Daniel s cast into the den of lions by such as
feared God? Were Ananias, and Azarias, and Mishael shut up in a furnace
of fire by those who observed the great and glorious worship of the Most
High? Far from us be such a thought! Who, then, were they that did such
things?

The hateful, and those full of all wickedness, were roused to such a
pitch of fury, that they inflicted torture on those who served God with
a holy and blameless purpose [of heart], not knowing that the Most High
is the Defender and Protector of all such as with a pure conscience
venerate" His all-excellent name; to whom be glory for ever and ever.
Amen. But they who with confidence endured [these things] are now heirs
of glory and honour, and have been exalted and made illustrious by God
in their memorial for ever and ever. Amen.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/clement-of-rome/vexing-the-righteous/
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