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  YOUR STRIFE IS PERNICIOUS
  by Clement of Rome
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Summary: The speaker emphasizes the importance of unity among believers
and warns against the consequences of causing division and strife.

Topics: "Church Unity", "Spiritual Harmony"
Scripture References: Psalm 34:14, Matthew 18:6, Romans 12:5, 1 Corinthians 1:10, Ephesians 4:3

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DESCRIPTION
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Clement of Rome urges the congregation to follow the examples of the
holy and innocent, as written in the Scriptures, emphasizing the
importance of unity and harmony among believers who share one God, one
Christ, and one Spirit of grace. He questions the presence of strifes,
divisions, and schisms among them, reminding them of their
interconnectedness as members of the body of Christ. Clement warns
against causing offenses and stumbling blocks to fellow believers,
highlighting the severe consequences of leading others astray and the
detrimental effects of schisms on the faith and unity of the community.

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CONTENT
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Such examples, therefore, brethren, it is right that we should follow;
since it is written, "Cleave to the holy, for those who cleave to them
shall [themselves] be made holy." And again, in another place, [the
Scripture] says, "With a harmless man you shall prove thyself harmless,
and with an elect man you shall be elect, and with a perverse man you
shall show thyself perverse." Let us cleave, therefore, to the innocent
and righteous, since these are the elect of God. Why are there strifes,
and tumults, and divisions, and schisms, and wars among you? Have we not
[all] one God and one Christ? Is there not one Spirit of grace poured
out upon us? And have we not one calling in Christ?

Why do we divide and tear to pieces the members of Christ, and raise up
strife against our own body, and have reached such a height of madness
as to forget that "we are members one of another?" Remember the words of
our Lord Jesus Christ, how He said, "Woe to that man [by whom offences
come]! It were better for him that he had never been born, than that he
should cast a stumbling-block before one of my elect.

Yea, it were better for him that a millstone should be hung about [his
neck], and he should be sunk in the depths of the sea, than that he
should cast a stumbling-block before one of my little ones. Your schism
has subverted [the faith of] many, has discouraged many, has given rise
to doubt in many, and has caused grief to us all. And still your
sedition continues.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/clement-of-rome/your-strife-is-pernicious/
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