Ignatius to the Magnesians - Too Familiar

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

There was a time when those from Jesus' home town, who knew him, his father, his mother, and his brothers and sisters, were offended at him for the power he displayed.

" 'Is not this the carpenter's son? Is not His mother called Mary, and His brothers, James and Joseph and Simon and Judas? And His sisters, are they not all with us? Where then did this man get all these things?' And they took offense at Him. But Jesus said to them, 'A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his own household." ' (Matthew 13:55-57)

The church at Manganese was having a similar problem in regards to their youthful bishop.

"Now it becomes you also not to treat your bishop too familiarly on account of his youth, but to yield him all reverence, having respect to the power of God the Father, as I have known even holy presbyters do, not judging rashly, from the manifest youthful appearance [of their bishop], but as being themselves prudent in God, submitting to him, or rather not to him, but to the Father of Jesus Christ, the bishop of us all." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 3)

It can be difficult when someone we know well is promoted by God to a position of greater power and/or authority. Our familiarity with them can hinder us from showing them the due respect and reverence that is commiserate with their new authority and/or power. While many of us can put on a good front and fool those around us with feigned reverence, God still sees our heart.

"It is therefore fitting that you should, after no hypocritical fashion, obey [your bishop], in honour of Him who has willed us [so to do], since he that does not so deceives not [by such conduct] the bishop that is visible, but seeks to mock Him that is invisible. And all such conduct has reference not to man, but to God, who knows all secrets." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 3)

The secret to overcoming the trappings of familiarity  is found in Ignatius' exhortation in a previous chapter, "I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 1) The key is to learn to see people according to the spirit and not the flesh. This is what Paul meant when he said,

"Therefore from now on we recognize no one according to the flesh; even though we have known Christ according to the flesh, yet now we know Him in this way no longer. Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come." (2 Corinthians 5:16-17)

There was a time when we knew Jesus according to the flesh. He was the baby that was born in Bethlehem. He was the son of Mary and Joseph. He was the man that grew up among the Jews and was know by His kinsmen. However, now we know Him according to the Spirit. He is the risen savior. He is the Son of God. He is the eternal Lord, God, and Savior. In the same way, familiarity with each other is based on knowing each other according to the flesh; we know them and their family, we know who they used to be, we know both the good and bad they have done. However, we now need to see each other according to the Spirit. We need to see them as new creatures in Christ, as those who have been born again, as those who now posses the Spirit of God. Someone once said that familiarity breads contempt. The key to overcoming the contempt of familiarity is to learn to recognize people according to the spirit and not the flesh.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Magnesians - Greetings

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

"Ignatius, who is also called Theophorus, to the [Church] blessed in the grace of God the Father, in Jesus Christ our Saviour, in whom I salute the Church which is at Magnesia, near the Mæander, and wish it abundance of happiness in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Magnesians)

Not much is known about the church at Magnesia. About all I could find out about Magnesia is that it was an imperial city in the same region as Ephesus but smaller than Ephesus. However, while I had never heard of Magnesia before, Ignatius had.

"Having been informed of your godly love, so well-ordered, I rejoiced greatly, and determined to commune with you in the faith of Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 1)

Whether it was through letters, travelers from Magnesia, or via the delegation the church at Magnesia sent to encourage Ignatius, he had heard of their godly, and well-ordered, love for one another. He writes to them to "commune" with their faith. Notice that he doesn't write to teach them, to correct them, or to compel them to obedience to his doctrine, but rather to commune with them; to share with them his faith with a hope of encouraging and strengthening them in their faith.

He reminds them that Jesus is the source of all we need in this life and in the next. That He is to be sought before all things and preferred before all things. In this life we will face many trials and maybe even persecutions, but if we endure all these things as preferring Jesus over the things of this world, we will overcome and come to find true enjoyment in God.

"For as one who has been thought worthy of the most honourable of all names, in those bonds which I bear about, I commend the Churches, in which I pray for a union both of the flesh and spirit of Jesus Christ, the constant source of our life, and of faith and love, to which nothing is to be preferred, but especially of Jesus and the Father, in whom, if we endure all the assaults of the prince of this world, and escape them, we shall enjoy God." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 1)

Ignatius commends those of the delegation from Magnesia for their character and their friendship.

"Since, then, I have had the privilege of seeing you, through Damas your most worthy bishop, and through your worthy presbyters Bassus and Apollonius, and through my ellowservant the deacon Sotio, whose friendship may I ever enjoy, inasmuch as he is subject to the bishop as to the grace of God, and to the presbytery as to the law of Jesus Christ, [I now write to you]." (Ignatius to the Magnesians, Chapter 2)

It is interesting that, in an age when it would be far easier and, certainly safer, to just send a letter, the church chooses to send people to encourage Ignatius  In our age of e-mails, instant messenger, facebook, and other forms of electronic communications it is easy to loose the personal one-on-one connection with each other. Sometimes a letter or e-mail will not do; sometimes we must make the effort to make personal contact, face-to-face; sometimes what people need is not our notes or messages but our face. We must always be willing to make time for people, personal time to meet with them personally, that we might encourage and strengthen one another.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - Farewell

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius concludes his letter with a promise of another letter, should time permit.

"If Jesus Christ shall graciously permit me through your prayers, and if it be His will, I shall, in a second little work which I will write to you, make further manifest to you [the nature of] the dispensation of which I have begun [to treat], with respect to the new man, Jesus Christ, in His faith and in His love, in His suffering and in His resurrection." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 20)

Either his journey to Rome precluded another letter or the promised letter was lost to history. Either way, it is unfortunate as his "little work" would certainly have been a treasure to the church. He further encouraged the church towards unity.

"Especially [will I do this] if the Lord make known to me that ye come together man by man in common through grace, individually, in one faith, and in Jesus Christ, who was of the seed of David according to the flesh, being both the Son of man and the Son of God, so that ye obey the bishop and the presbytery with an undivided mind, breaking one and the same bread, which is the medicine of immortality, and the antidote to prevent us from dying, but [which causes] that we should live for ever in Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 20)

Ignatius sees the church as a being composed of individuals. It literally means that they were gathered together individually and known "by name." When we come to the church we do not loose our identity or our uniqueness. In fact, it is that varied identity and uniqueness that gives life and strength to the church. Church should never become a place where we go to hide and to "blend in" but rather a place where we can freely express our God given individuality for the benefit of all. Ignatius also reminds them that their unity and "oneness" does not come from their sameness but from the common bread they break. They share a common life that is the result of partaking of a common bread and that bread is Jesus Christ.

Finally, he asks the church at Ephesus to pray for the church at Syria. As much as Ignatius was ready to die for his Lord, he still felt for those he was leaving behind; for those in Syria who would now be without a bishop. He asked that prayers for them would be made for their strength and comfort.

"Remember me, as Jesus Christ also remembered you. Pray ye for the Church which is in Syria, whence I am led bound to Rome, being the last of the faithful who are there, even as I have been thought worthy to be chosen to show forth the honour of God. Farewell in God the Father, and in Jesus Christ, our common hope." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 21)

In referring to himself as the "last of the faithful" in Syria, he was not saying that there remained no one faithful to God in Syria, but rather that he was last in terms of importance; he was the least of the faithful from Syria. Ignatius always represented himself with humility and with greater consideration for others than for himself.

This ends Ignatius' letter to the Ephesians.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - In Transition

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius begins to close his letter by reminding the Ephesians of some of the central truths surrounding the Gospel.

" 'Where is the wise man? where the disputer?' Where is the boasting of those who are styled prudent? For our God, Jesus Christ, was, according to the appointment of God, conceived in the womb by Mary, of the seed of David, but by the Holy Ghost. He was born and baptized, that by His passion He might purify the water." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 18)

When God was ready to reveal His salvation to men, He did it in a way that was unexpected and in a way that seemed foolish to men; He sent His Son as a baby to be born of a virgin. The Virgin Birth was one of the central beliefs in the early church as it contained in its truth the reality that Jesus was fully man and fully God.

The final line in this passage is a bit obscure as to what is meant by "purify the water." The loner version of this letter renders this, "that He might ratify the institution committed to that prophet." Jesus was born, baptized, and died that He might open up a way for us to be reconciled to God; a way that begins with a baptism of repentance. "John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." (Mark 1:4)

Not only did God confound the wise with His plan of salvation, but He also confounded the devil.

"Now the virginity of Mary was hidden from the prince of this world, as was also her offspring, and the death of the Lord; three mysteries of renown, which were wrought in silence by God." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 19)

Paul confirms this when he referred to, "the hidden wisdom which God predestined before the ages to our glory; the wisdom which none of the rulers of this age has understood; for if they had understood it they would not have crucified the Lord of glory." (1 Corinthians 2:7-8) Neither the rulers of this age nor the prince of this world fully understood what was going nor the change that was about to take place. However, God did announce His coming.

"How, then, was He manifested to the world? A star shone forth in heaven above all the other stars, the light of which was inexpressible, while its novelty struck men with astonishment. And all the rest of the stars, with the sun and moon, formed a chorus to this star, and its light was exceedingly great above them all. (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 19)

However it was the humble and lowly that responded not the high and mighty and learned. Jesus' humble and obscure entry into this world was the beginning of a radical change that would be felt throughout the entire world and in every human heart. Jesus ushered in an era of change.

"And there was agitation felt as to whence this new spectacle came, so unlike to everything else [in the heavens]. Hence every kind of magic was destroyed, and every bond of wickedness disappeared; ignorance was removed, and the old kingdom abolished, God Himself being manifested in human form for the renewal of eternal life. And now that took a beginning which had been prepared by God. Henceforth all things were in a state of tumult, because He meditated the abolition of death." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 19)

Something violent had happened and its rumblings have been felt throughout history, even down to our day. It's as Jesus said, "From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force." (Matthew 11:12) Many people have asked, "Why doesn't everyone get healed?" or "Why do bad things happen to good people?" The truth is that we live in an "in between" time; in a time of transition; between the way things used to be and the way things ought to be. We live in a time where the Kingdom of God has not yet fully come and when the final victory has yet to be won. We are in a time of transition. However, one day all things will be put right; death will be defeated, the enemy and his hoards will be banished, and we will enjoy eternal felicity in the presence of God. Until then, we must remain steadfast and fight and believe in this time of transition.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - Smelly doctrine

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius again cautions the Ephesians to be wary of those who would teach false doctrine.

"Do not err, my brethren. Those that corrupt families shall not inherit the kingdom of God. If, then, those who do this as respects the flesh have suffered death, how much more shall this be the case with any one who corrupts by wicked doctrine the faith of God, for which Jesus Christ was crucified! Such an one becoming defiled [in this way], shall go away into everlasting fire, and so shall every one that hearkens unto him." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 16)

It is interesting that Ignatius considers it a greater offense to come in and corrupt someone's doctrine than to come in and corrupt their family. Both, for sure, he condemns, but he sees on as having eternal consequences for the corrupted while the other has only temporal consequences pertaining to this life only. Such a one who would do this is justly condemned to eternal perdition.

Ignatius again repeats his warning.

"For this end did the Lord suffer the ointment to be poured upon His head, that He might breathe immortality into His Church. Be not ye anointed with the bad odour of the doctrine of the prince of this world; let him not lead you away captive from the life which is set before you. And why are we not all prudent, since we have received the knowledge of God, which is Jesus Christ? Why do we foolishly perish, not recognising the gift which the Lord has of a truth sent to us?" (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 17)

The more time we spend in the truth the more we come to recognize the odor of false doctrine. False doctrine smells like self-love, self-righteousness, indulging the flesh, denying Christ and His divinity, and all other things that are contrary to sound doctrine. These things we should run from. We should continually contend for the truth of the Gospel that has been delivered to us through Jesus and His apostles for this truth is our life and our freedom.

So what causes us to drift into error; what makes us susceptible to the odors of falsehood? Ignatius encourages us towards prudence in our lives. Webster defines prudence as, among other things, "the ability to govern and discipline oneself by the use of reason." (Webster Dictionary) When it comes to the truth, we must deploy self-government and reason. Self-government to obey the truth and reason to discern between truth and falsehood. If we blindly go through our lives we may fail to spot the lie that intends to snare us and, if we fail to obey the truth then we will never come to recognize what truth "smells" like and how its odor differs from that of error. The best defense of error is our commitment to the truth.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - From faith to love

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius describes our Christian walk as a journey from faith to love.

"None of these things is hid from you, if ye perfectly possess that faith and love towards Christ Jesus which are the beginning and the end of life. For the beginning is faith, and the end is love. Now these two, being inseparably connected together, are of God, while all other things which are requisite for a holy life follow after them." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 14)

However, it's not simply a journey from one to the other but its a journey that begins with faith and, to that faith  adds love until our life is a commingling of faith and love together. This is what Paul meant when he said, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love." (Galatians 5:6) Faith in Christ is our beginning. As we grow we learn to express our faith through love towards the Father and towards others. In the end we become people of love, even as God is love. "The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love." (1 John 4:8) The point that Ignatius is trying to make is that it is not enough to merely profess to be a Christian, we must also act like Christians. It's not enough to simply have faith, we must add works of love to our faith.

"No man [truly] making a profession of faith sinneth; nor does he that possesses love hate any one. The tree is made manifest by its fruit; so those that profess themselves to be Christians shall be recognised by their conduct. For there is not now a demand for mere profession, but that a man be found continuing in the power of faith to the end." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 14)

Our lives, and the character of those lives, will be known to all by their fruit. If we say we are a Christian yet hate both our brothers and those in the world, then we are at best immature in our faith and, at worse, self-deceived as to our faith in God. A good tree cannot bare bad fruit and a Christian will, over time, bear the fruit of his or her faith. It is not what we say that maters most, it is what we do.

"It is better for a man to be silent and be [a Christian], than to talk and not to be one. It is good to teach, if he who speaks also acts. There is then one Teacher, who spake and it was done; while even those things which He did in silence are worthy of the Father. He who possesses the word of Jesus, is truly able to hear even His very silence, that he may be perfect, and may both act as he speaks, and be recognised by his silence." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 15)

The believer is know by his words and by his silence. Even when silent, a christian is still known by their deeds. Like Ignatius, we live in a world that has seen a lot of professing but is still looking for a lot of doing. The words we say have little weight unless they are backed up by our actions. This is what John meant when he said, "Little children, let us not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth." (1 John 3:18) It is time for us to live the truth we profess; that our behavior would line up with our profession. In this way we will truly be a witness to the world, not just of what Jesus said, but also of the power of what He said; the power to change a life.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - Meet together often

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius exhorts the Ephesians to come together often.

"Take heed, then, often to come together to give thanks to God, and show forth His praise. For when ye assemble frequently in the same place, the powers of Satan are destroyed, and the destruction at which he aims is prevented by the unity of your faith. Nothing is more precious than peace, by which all war, both in heaven and earth, is brought to an end." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 13)

The reasons for coming together may be as varied as the number of people who meet together, but Ignatius mentions two very interesting one here. When we meet together frequently (or regularly) the power of Satan over a place is destroyed and his work of destruction is thwarted. There is real power in our coming together  and that power is felt both in heaven and on earth. Its a power to overthrow the forces of evil and to establish the reign of God in our midst and in our communities. 

What is also interesting is the aspects of our coming together that accomplishes this spiritual warfare. They are our praise and our unity. When we meet in unity to show forth God's praise, power is released and the enemy is defeated and, in time, real change becomes apparent all around us. Knowing this, perhaps these things, praise and unity, should become central in our meeting together. We currently live in a time when the Word and teaching has become central in our meetings. Often praise is seen as the prelude or the lead-in to the teaching. I'm not saying teaching is not important, for it can produce great change in our lives, but we must never loose sight of the importance of praise and unity, for they can bring great change to our communities and even in the heavens.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - Demonstrated Prayer

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius encourages us to continually pray for the needs and salvation of others.

"And pray ye without ceasing in behalf of other men. For there is in them hope of repentance that they may attain to God. See, then, that they be instructed by your works, if in no other way. Be ye meek in response to their wrath, humble in opposition to their boasting: to their blasphemies return your prayers; in contrast to their error, be ye stedfast in the faith; and for their cruelty, manifest your gentleness. While we take care not to imitate their conduct, let us be found their brethren in all true kindness; and let us seek to be followers of the Lord (who ever more unjustly treated, more destitute, more condemned?), that so no plant of the devil may be found in you, but ye may remain in all holiness and sobriety in Jesus Christ, both with respect to the flesh and spirit." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 10)

Our posture towards those outside the church should be first to pray for them that they might find repentance. Their error may seem beyond healing to us but, as Ignatius previously taught, there is a Healer that heals. Secondly, we should live lives that are consistent with the prayers we pray. We should live lives that show the fruit of the repentance we hope for others as being active in our own lives. And finally, we should live as brothers even to the lost. To be their brothers and sisters it is not necessary that we participate with them in their sin but rather that we treat them with the kindness and compassion that brotherly love commands. We don't have to go drinking with them in the bars or curse and sewer with them at their parties to become their brethren, we merely have to show them brotherly kindness as those who were once also trapped in sin and lawlessness.

Ignatius continues to exhort us who are found in Christ to remain in Christ.

"The last times are come upon us. Let us therefore be of a reverent spirit, and fear the long-suffering of God, that it tend not to our condemnation. For let us either stand in awe of the wrath to come, or show regard for the grace which is at present displayed— one of two things. Only [in one way or another] let us be found in Christ Jesus unto the true life. Apart from Him, let nothing attract you." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 11)

There are many things that motivate us towards God. Some days, the revelation of the grace of God is enough to keep us steadfast in Christ; to motivate us to resist sin and to stand firm even in the face of temptation. However, other days, His grace seems dim and distant, in those days its the revelation of the fear of God that keeps us in Christ. Either way, what is important is that we stand. God knows what we need in every situation, either the revelation of grace or revelation of awe and fear, and it's His love that reveals one or the other as we need to keep us in His Son and to keep us bound towards Him.

Finally, Ignatius reminds the Ephesians of their unique calling in Christ.

"I know both who I am, and to whom I write. I am a condemned man, ye have been the objects of mercy; I am subject to danger, ye are established in safety. Ye are the persons through whom those pass that are cut off for the sake of God." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 12)

This passage is a bit enigmatic, but it seems to indicate that Ephesus was along the route that the condemned Christians of that area would take to Rome and to their deaths. Ignatius seems to congratulate them for their use of the grace and mercy of God that was upon them, that they would come and fellowship with even the condemned; to encourage them and pray for them and send them on their way to Rome with the blessings of God. What a unique calling and gift in that time and place.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - The Cross and a Rope

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius congratulates the Ephesians that they did not, for one minute, give ear to those who passed through preaching their false doctrine.

"Nevertheless, I have heard of some who have passed on from this to you, having false doctrine, whom ye did not suffer to sow among you, but stopped your ears, that ye might not receive those things which were sown by them." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 9)

This praise is consistent with similar praises from earlier in the life of the Ephesian church. "I know your deeds and your toil and perseverance, and that you cannot tolerate evil men, and you put to the test those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and you found them to be false." (Revelation 2:2) Now, not all the Spirit had to say to them was praise, but they were a church that held fast to the truth that had been passed down to them by the apostles.

Ignatius goes on to say that, part of the reason that they resisted the false teachers was because they understood the greater purpose they were called to; they were called to be stones for the Father's temple and as such they desired to keep themselves pure and not give themselves to a lesser faith.

"as being stones of the temple of the Father, prepared for the building of God the Father, and drawn up on high by the instrument of Jesus Christ, which is the cross, making use of the Holy Spirit as a rope, while your faith was the means by which you ascended, and your love the way which led up to God." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 9)

Their entry into the Kingdom of God was through the cross of Christ while they trusted and hoped in the Holy Spirit to enable them to press into the Kingdom, reaching out as it were by their faith, and all the time letting the love of God, for them and for others, guide them into the way of holiness. This journey into the Kingdom of God lead them away from the things of this world, including the doctrines of this world, and lead them to Christ and his righteousness, holiness, and likeness.

"Ye, therefore, as well as all your fellow-travellers, are God-bearers, temple-bearers, Christbearers, bearers of holiness, adorned in all respects with the commandments of Jesus Christ, in whom also I exult that I have been thought worthy, by means of this Epistle, to converse and rejoice with you, because with respect to your Christian life ye love nothing but God only." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 9)

So should be our hearts and our desire, to become like them, bearers of God, bearers of Christ, and bearers of holiness. Oh that we might too become like them, loving nothing but God alone. Because, when you have God, you have no need for the things of this world because you already have everything.

David Robison

Ignatius to the Ephesians - Sick men of sick faith

This is a continuation of my series on Ignatius and the seven letters he wrote while on his way to be martyred in Rome. If you are unfamiliar with Ignatius, you may want to start with the introduction to this series.

Ignatius warns the Ephesian church of those who would lead them astray; of those who were teaching a counterfeit gospel.

"For some are in the habit of carrying about the name [of Jesus Christ] in wicked guile, while yet they practise things unworthy of God, whom ye must flee as ye would wild beasts. For they are ravening dogs, who bite secretly, against whom ye must be on your guard, inasmuch as they are men who can scarcely be cured." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 7)

There were many in that day that were preaching an alternative gospel. They had their own bishops, their own meetings, and even their own love (agape) feasts, yet when you looked closely at their lives they were still enslaved to sin and the deprivation of the flesh. Worse yet, some of them even incorporated their vile lusts into their doctrines; giving them religious cover as if such acts were pleasing and acceptable, or at least indifferent, to God. Such men were not only sick in their faith but also sick within themselves; they were sick in their hearts. However, Ignatius goes on to remind the Ephesians that, even thought we were once like them, we do have a physician that heals.

"There is one Physician who is possessed both of flesh and spirit; both made and not made; God existing in flesh; true life in death; both of Mary and of God; first passible and then impassible,— even Jesus Christ our Lord." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 7)

The words Ignatius chooses to describe our eternal physician were not only meant to be beautiful and inspiring but also to refute those who claimed another Jesus; one who was not human, did not have a physical body, could not suffer, and was not born of man. He was truly "God existing in flesh!"

While some churches were struggling with these apostles of darkness and their teachings, Ignatius was confident of the Ephesians.

"Let not then any one deceive you, as indeed ye are not deceived, inasmuch as ye are wholly devoted to God. For since there is no strife raging among you which might distress you, ye are certainly living in accordance with God’s will." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 8)

Ignatius' confidence in the Ephesians, and their ability to resist the trouble of the false teachers, was based on the harmony and unity that existed in the Ephesian church. Ignatius knew what James wrote, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing." (James 3:16) The doctrine of God is peaceable, but when false doctrine is admitted into the church, there is disorder, strife, envy  and every evil thing.

Finally, Ignatius reminds them that the things of the spirit can only be accomplished by those who are of the spirit.

"They that are carnal cannot do those things which are spiritual, nor they that are spiritual the things which are carnal; even as faith cannot do the works of unbelief, nor unbelief the works of faith. But even those things which ye do according to the flesh are spiritual; for ye do all things in Jesus Christ." (Ignatius to the Ephesians, Chapter 8)

Those who are in the flesh can only act according to the flesh, however, those who are in the spirit, even what they do in the flesh is done in the spirit. Those in the flesh cannot do the things of the spirit, but those in the spirit, everything they do is spiritual. Our whole life is spiritual. Even our jobs and our responsibilities, when done in Jesus Christ, are no longer mere maters of the flesh but are truly spiritual and acceptable to God. Nothing we do is any longer carnal but all things are spiritual.

David Robison