First Christian Voices: Practices of the Apostolic Fathers

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First Christian Voices

is set open for the realization of life. As it is written, “Open to me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord. This is the gate of the Lord; the righteous shall enter through it” (Ps 118:19–20). Although, therefore, many gates have been set open, yet this gate of righteousness is the gate to Christ by which all who have entered in are blessed. They have directed their way in holiness and righteousness, doing all things without disorder. Let a person be faithful. Let him be powerful in the exclamation of knowledge. Let him be wise in judging of words. Let him be pure in all his deeds. And the more he seems to be superior to others then the more humble-minded he should be. He should seek the common good of all and not merely his own advantage. F irst C lement 50: You see, dear ones, how great and wonderful a thing is love. There is no describing its perfection. Who is fit to be found in it, except such as those granted by God? Let us pray, therefore, and plead for His mercy, that we may live blamelessly in love, free from all human favoritisms for one over another. All the generations from Adam even to this day have passed away. But those who, through the grace of God, have been made perfect in love, now possess a place among the godly. They will be revealed at the revelation of the kingdom of Christ. For it is written, “Enter your secret chambers for a little while, until my anger and fury pass away, and I will remember a favorable day, and will raise you from your graves” ( Isa 26:20; Ezek 37:12 ). Blessed are we, dear ones, if we keep the commandments of God in the harmony of love. Through love our sins may be forgiven. For it is written, “Blessed is the one whose