Those People Called Christians

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people, that you may declare the wonderful deeds of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were no people but now you are God's people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy. Beloved, I beseech you as aliens and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh that wage war against your soul.

Maintain good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in case they speak against you as wrongdoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:9-12 RSV)

In the third century St. Cyprian wrote to his dear friend, Donatus:

“This seems a cheerful world, Donatus, when I view it from this fair garden…. But if I climb some great mountain and look out…you know very well what I see: brigands on the high road, pirates on the seas, in the amphitheaters men murdered to please an applauding crowd…
Yet, in the midst of it all I have found a quite, holy people….They are despised and persecuted, but they care not. They have overcome the world. These people, dear Donatus, are called Christians."

Not obnoxious.
Not boisterous.
Not boastful.
...Quiet.

Pure in desire and deed.
Decent.
Sincerely wanting good.
Motivated by Love.
Focused upon Christ,
not self.
...Holy.

Is your spiritual strength sincere enough and powerful enough that people recognize it just by interacting with you?

Blessings Always in All Ways,

Steve
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