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  COMMENDATION AND EXHORTATION
  by Ignatius of Antioch
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Summary: Ignatius encourages the recipient to press forward in their
faith, maintain unity, and support others in love, while also
emphasizing the importance of prayer and spiritual growth.

Topics: "Faith And Unity", "Spiritual Growth"
Scripture References: Matthew 11:28, 1 Corinthians 16:13, Galatians 6:2, Ephesians 4:3, Colossians 4:2

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DESCRIPTION
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Ignatius of Antioch emphasizes the importance of standing firm in faith
and unity, encouraging believers to press forward in their spiritual
journey and exhort others to be saved. He urges them to maintain their
position with care, support one another in love, and give themselves to
prayer without ceasing. Ignatius highlights the need for additional
understanding, watchfulness, and bearing with the weaknesses of others,
following the example of Christ who bore our infirmities. He reminds
them that despite the challenges, the rewards of faith are great.

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CONTENT
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Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an
immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought
worthy [to behold] thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I
entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward
in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy
position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to
preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all, even as the
Lord does with thee. Support all in love, as also thou doest. Give
thyself to prayer without ceasing. Implore additional understanding to
what thou already hast. Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit.
Speak to every man separately, as God enables thee.

Bear the infirmities of all, as being a perfect athlete [in the
Christian life]: where the labour is great, the gain is all the more.

Having obtained good proof that thy mind is fixed in God as upon an
immoveable rock, I loudly glorify [His name] that I have been thought
worthy to behold thy blameless face, which may I ever enjoy in God! I
entreat thee, by the grace with which thou art clothed, to press forward
in thy course, and to exhort all that they may be saved. Maintain thy
position with all care, both in the flesh and spirit. Have a regard to
preserve unity, than which nothing is better. Bear with all even as the
Lord does with thee. Support all in love, as also thou doest. Give
thyself to prayer without ceasing. Implore additional understanding to
what thou already hast.

Be watchful, possessing a sleepless spirit. Speak to every man
separately, as God enables thee. Bear the infirmities of all, as being a
perfect athlete [in the Christian life], even as does the Lord of all.
For says [the Scripture], "He Himself took our infirmities, and bare our
sicknesses." Where the labour is great, the gain is all the more.

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Source: https://sermonindex.net/speakers/ignatius-of-antioch/commendation-and-exhortation/
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