Balm for the soul

“The doctrine of election is neither a banner to be waved, nor a bomb to be dropped, but a balm for the soul of weary Christians.”
Source: Eric Alexander

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Aliens and strangers

Epistle to Diognetus – second century (5:4-9) http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/diognetus.html

But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress and food and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvellous, and confessedly contradicts expectation.

They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners;

they bear their share in all things as citizens,

and they endure all hardships as strangers.

Every foreign country is a fatherland to them,

and every fatherland is foreign.

They marry like all other men and they beget children;

but they do not cast away their offspring.

They have their meals in common, but not their wives.

They find themselves in the flesh, and yet they live not after the flesh.

Their existence is on earth, but their citizenship is in heaven.

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