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  AN EXHORTATION TO FEAR GOD
  by Ignatius of Antioch
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Summary: We must fear the long-suffering of God and find true joy in
Christ Jesus, lest we despise His goodness and forbearance.

Topics: "Fear Of God", "Eternal Life"
Scripture References: Romans 2:4, Philippians 3:8, Colossians 3:3, 1 Peter 4:13, 1 John 5:12

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DESCRIPTION
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Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the urgency of the last times, urging
believers to approach God with reverence and fear His long-suffering,
not taking His goodness and forbearance for granted. He presents a
choice between fearing the wrath to come or embracing the joy found in
Christ Jesus in the present life. Ignatius encourages a complete
dependence on Christ for hope, boasting, and eternal riches, even in the
midst of suffering, desiring to partake in the sufferings of Christ and
ultimately share in His resurrection and everlasting life.

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CONTENT
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The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent
spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, lest we despise the riches
of His goodness and forbearance. For let us either fear the wrath to
come, or let us love the present joy in the life that now is; and let
our present and true joy be only this, to be found in Christ Jesus, that
we may truly live.

Do not at any time desire so much as even to breathe apart from Him.

For He is my hope; He is my boast; He is my never-failing riches, on
whose account I bear about with me these bonds from Syria to Rome, these
spiritual jewels, in which may I be perfected through your prayers, and
become a partaker of the sufferings of Christ, and have fellowship with
Him in His death, His resurrection from the dead, and His everlasting
life. May I attain to this, so that I may be found in the lot of the
Christians of Ephesus, who have always had intercourse with the apostles
by the power of Jesus Christ, with Paul, and John, and Timothy the most
faithful.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/an-exhortation-to-fear-god/
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