Required reading
Ante-Nicene Fathers (Vol 5) (Available from Amazon or free here) - Read Treatise VII and VIII.
My summary
Firstly, today, we read a treatise from Cyprian about death. There is a deadly 'disease' going around which is causing some to be quite fearful of death. Cyprian encourages Christians to be willing to die by focusing on teaching from the lives of:
(i) Simeon;
(ii) Christ;
(iii) Moses;
(iv) Abraham;
(v) Paul;
(vi) Enoch.
The second treatise we read today encourages doing good works (particularly alms-giving) so that the Christian may be assured of salvation.
What grabbed me
It is one thing to encourage good works because you are a Christian, it is another thing to encourage good works to cleanse you of sin: 'The remedies for propitiating God are given in the words of God Himself; the divine instructions have taught what sinners ought to do, that by works of righteousness God is satisfied, that with the deserts of mercy sins are cleansed.'
Christ alone is my propitiation!
Next week's reading
Read Treatise IX and X.
Now it's your turn
Please post your own notes and thoughts in the comments section below.
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