Follow After Virtue
Following the will of the Father and living virtuously leads to peace and happiness, while wickedness and transgression bring harm and condemnation.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of doing the will of the Father, pursuing virtue, and avoiding wicked tendencies that lead to transgression. He warns against ungodliness and the pursuit of present enjoyment over future promises, highlighting the torment that comes with worldly pleasures. Clement also condemns those who lead others astray with harmful teachings, emphasizing the double condemnation awaiting both the teachers and their followers.
Text
Wherefore, my brethren, let us do the will of the Father who called us, that we may live; and let us earnestly follow after virtue, but forsake every wicked tendency which would lead us into transgression; and flee from ungodliness, lest evils overtake us. For if we are diligent in doing good, peace will follow us. On this account, such men cannot find it [i.e. peace] as are influenced by human terrors, and prefer rather present enjoyment to the promise which shall afterwards be fulfilled.
For they know not what torment present enjoyment incurs, or what felicity is involved in the future promise.
And if, indeed, they themselves only did such things, it would be [the more] tolerable; but now they persist in imbuing innocent souls with their pernicious doctrines, not knowing that they shall receive a double condemnation, both they and those that hear them.
Sermon Outline
- Following Virtue
- Flee from wickedness
- Diligence in doing good
- Peace will follow
- Good deeds lead to happiness
Key Quotes
“For if we are diligent in doing good, peace will follow us.” — Clement of Rome
“They know not what torment present enjoyment incurs, or what felicity is involved in the future promise.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should strive to do the will of the Father and live according to God's plan to experience peace and happiness.
- Avoiding wickedness and transgression is crucial to living a virtuous life.
- Being diligent in doing good and following the will of the Father leads to peace and happiness.