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I love to look into history to help me understand the present. Here is a short perspective from a 2nd century writer – giving us his take on Christians in the world…helping us to understand what it looks like to be in the world but not of it. The letter is written as an apologetic…answering the curiosities of a seeker (Diognetus).
I like the fact that Christians were perceived as, undeniably different, but not “wacky”…at least not unattractively wacky. Although many Christ Followers were misunderstood they still remained inspiring in the way they lived and died.

“Christians are indistinguishable from other men either by nationality, language or customs. They do not inhabit separate cities of their own, or speak a strange dialect, or follow some outlandish way of life. Their teaching is not based upon reveries inspired by the curiosity of men. Unlike some other people, they champion no purely human doctrine. With regard to dress, food and manner of life in general, they follow the customs of whatever city they happen to be living in, whether it is Greek or foreign.

And yet there is something extraordinary about their lives. They live in their own countries as though they were only passing through. They play their full role as citizens, but labor under all the disabilities of aliens. Any country can be their homeland, but for them their homeland, wherever it may be, is a foreign country. Like others, they marry and have children, but they do not expose them. They share their meals, but not their wives.

They live in the flesh, but they are not governed by the desires of the flesh. They pass their days upon earth, but they are citizens of heaven. Obedient to the laws, they yet live on a level that transcends the law. Christians love all men, but all men persecute them. Condemned because they are not understood, they are put to death, but raised to life again. They live in poverty, but enrich many; they are totally destitute, but possess an abundance of everything. They suffer dishonor, but that is their glory. They are defamed, but vindicated. A blessing is their answer to abuse, deference their response to insult. For the good they do they receive the punishment of malefactors, but even then they, rejoice, as though receiving the gift of life. They are attacked by the Jews as aliens, they are persecuted by the Greeks, yet no one can explain the reason for this hatred.

To speak in general terms, we may say that the Christian is to the world what the soul is to the body. As the soul is present in every part of the body, while remaining distinct from it, so Christians are found in all the cities of the world, but cannot be identified with the world. As the visible body contains the invisible soul, so Christians are seen living in the world, but their religious life remains unseen. The body hates the soul and wars against it, not because of any injury the soul has done it, but because of the restriction the soul places on its pleasures. Similarly, the world hates the Christians, not because they have done it any wrong, but because they are opposed to its enjoyments.

Christians love those who hate them just as the soul loves the body and all its members despite the body’s hatred. It is by the soul, enclosed within the body, that the body is held together, and similarly, it is by the Christians, detained in the world as in a prison, that the world is held together. The soul, though immortal, has a mortal dwelling place; and Christians also live for a time amidst perishable things, while awaiting the freedom from change and decay that will be theirs in heaven. As the soul benefits from the deprivation of food and drink, so Christians flourish under persecution. Such is the Christian’s lofty and divinely appointed function, from which he is not permitted to excuse himself.”

From a letter to Diognetus (Nn. 5-6; Funk, 397-401)

My Beloved,

 Thank you for opening your heart and life to me…I treasure our special time this morning – your tears. You are a sweet and dear sister…I hope that I can handle your heart gently…I wish that I could…I’ve dropped it so many times…too many times…but there is one that will never abandon it…He is the one to run to – finding your deepest fears calmed…shelter in the midst of the raging winds and peace in the center of long uncertainty.

Thanks for being faithful, loyal and loving (1 Corinthians 13:1-13). You are the Spring in my Winter…the warm sun in my isolated cold. You are, indeed, God’s greatest gift to me. I wish I knew that more often…I wish that I lived it. God help me to hold her heart…to value it above all things…yes just things…of no value compared to her heart. Amen.

Love Forever & Ever.

John

Today is for honoring my mother (Phyllis Palmieri) (Eph. 6:2). Not too many people know that my mom became an orphan at age 4. She was adopted into a very abusive family and after one too many beatings she ran away at the tender age of 16 — never to return. I can’t tell her story as effectively as she can, but I do want to take time to thank her. Mom, I can’t find the right words to express my gratitude for reaching through your wounded-ness and touching my life. I know that there isn’t another person in the world who feels as deeply for me as you do. Your love is relentless, sacrificial, consistent and passionate. You’ve loved from the heart of an orphan – one who is acquainted with sorrow, abandonment, loss, and loneliness. You taught me how to love. The saying; ‘he who loves much hurts much’ is surely true in your life. All your pain will one day make sense and the journey of your life will be seen as significant…for your hands and smile have touched many. You’ve done this by serving the ‘least of these’ (Mat. 25:40). People who know you, I mean really know you; don’t need to be convinced that you are a very special person. I love you mom and I’m proud to be called your son!