He Who Is Saved
Continence and faith lead to salvation and blessings, while refusal brings condemnation.
Clement of Rome emphasizes the importance of giving counsel on continence, highlighting the significant impact it can have on saving souls and bringing salvation. He encourages believers to speak and hear with faith and love, trusting in God's promise to always be present and attentive. Clement urges the congregation to continue in righteousness and holiness, reminding them of God's readiness to give abundantly to those who ask. He warns that those who refuse to heed these words will face condemnation, underscoring the gravity of rejecting such valuable guidance.
Text
I think not that I counted trivial counsel concerning continence; following it, a man will not repent thereof, but will save both himself and me who counselled. For it is no small reward to turn back a wandering and perishing soul for its salvation. For this recompense we are able to render to the God who created us, if he who speaks and hears both speak and hear with faith and love. Let us, therefore, continue in that course in which we, righteous and holy, believed, that with confidence we may ask God who says,Whilst you are still speaking, I will say, Here I am.
For these words are a token of a great promise, for the Lord says that He is more ready to give than he who asks. So great, then, being the goodness of which we are partakers, let us not grudge one another the attainment of so great blessings.
For in proportion to the pleasure with which these words are fraught to those who shall follow them, in that proportion is the condemnation with which they are fraught to those who shall refuse to hear.
Sermon Outline
- The Reward of Continence
- The Great Promise of God
- The Consequences of Refusal
- Condemnation for those who refuse to hear
- The proportion of condemnation to the blessings refused
Key Quotes
“For this recompense we are able to render to the God who created us, if he who speaks and hears both speak and hear with faith and love.” — Clement of Rome
“For the Lord says that He is more ready to give than he who asks.” — Clement of Rome
“Whilst you are still speaking, I will say, Here I am.” — Clement of Rome
Application Points
- We should strive to lead others back to God and salvation through our words and actions.
- We should have faith and love in our hearts when speaking and hearing God's words.
- We should not grudge others the blessings of following God's words.