Separation from the World

"They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world" John 17:16

From the very beginning, this was inculcated as a teaching of Jesus among his hearers: that men should shun the life that is eagerly sought after by the crowds, and instead they should be earnest in living the life tht resembles that of God. Origen

He who zealously imitates the prophetic life, and attains to the spirit that was in the prophets, he will be dishonored in this world and in the eyes of sinners. For to them, the life of the righteous man is a burden. Origen

Brothers, let us willingly leave our sojourn in this present world so we can do the will of him who called us. And let us not fear to depart out of this world, deeming the things of this world as not belonging to us, and not fixing our desires upon them. The Lord declares "No servant can serve two masters."(Matt. 6:24) If we desire, then, to serve both God and Money, it will be unprofitable for us. "For what will it profit if a man gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?"(Mark 8:36) This world and the next are two enemies. We cannot therefore be the friends of both.(James 4:4) 2nd Clement

Part company with the pagan,O heretic! So long as you are a Christian, you are a different man from a heathen. So give him back his own views on things. After all, he doesn't accept yours. Why lean upon a blind guide, if you have eyes of your own? Why be clothed by one who is naked, if you have put on Christ? Why use the shield of another, when the apostle gives you armor of your own? Tertullian

One of my favorites The one peaceful and trustworthy tranquility, the one security that is solid, firm, and never changing, is this: for a man to withdraw from the distractions of this world, anchor himself to the firm ground of salvation, and lift his eyes from earth to heaven. He who is actually greater than the world can crave nothing, can desire nothing, from this world. How stable, how unshakable is that safeguard, how heavenly is the protection in its never-ending blessings--to be free from the snares of this entangling world, to be purged from the dregs of earth, and fitted for the light of eternal immortality. Cyprian

You whom the heavenly army has enlisted in the spiritual camp, follow a discipline that is uncorrupted--one that is chastened in the virtues of true religion. Be faithful in both prayer and in reading [Scripture]. First, speak with God. Then let God speak to you. Let him instruct you in his precepts. Let him direct you. Those whom he has made rich, nobody can make poor. In fact there can be no poverty to him whose breast has once been supplied with heavenly food. Houses adorned with mosaics of costly marble and ceilings enriched with gold--these things will all seem shabby to you now. For now you know that it is you yourselves who are to be perfected, rather than earthly things. It is you who will be adorned instead. Now you realize that the house in which God dwells as in a temple--in which the Holy Spirit makes his abode--this house is more important than all others. Therefore, let us color this house with the colors of innocence. Let us brighten it up with the light of justice. These adornments will never fall into decay with the passing of time, nor will they be defiled by their gold or their colors becoming tarnished. Those things that are artificially beautified are perishing. For those things do not contain the reality of ownership. They can give no abiding assurance to those who possess them. But the house in which God dwells remains in a beauty that is perpetually vivid. In it, there are perfect honor and permanent splendor. God promises that he will hear and protect those who loosen the knots of unrighteousness from their hearts. That is, those who give charitably to the members of God's household according to His commands. For by hearing what God commands, they themselves also deserve to be heard by God. The blessed Apostle Paul, when aided by the brothers in the dire straits of his affliction, said that good works are sacrifices to God. He said, "I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things which were sent from you--an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well pleasing to God." (Phil. 4:18) For when one has pity on the poor, he lends to God. And he who gives to the least, gives to God. These are spiritual sacrifice to God, an odor of a sweet smell. Cyprian

"Get thee behind me, Satan! Your are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but of the things of men."(Matt. 16:23) Peter was called a stumbling block by Jesus, for his words showed that he was not minding the things of God. Rather, his words showed he was minding the things of men. That being the case, what is to be said about all of those persons who profess to have become disciples of Jesus yet who do not look to thing unseen and eternal, but instead mind the things of men? Origen

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