Direct Answer
Cyprian assumed that the Christian life is a hard climb and that the reward at the end is real and worth the labor. Greater sacrifice was seen as a greater opportunity to bear fruit.
Support from the Message
- Cyprian calls the road to life narrow and the path to glory hard and difficult. - He names martyrs as receiving the first reward and those who are celibate for Christ as receiving the second. - He says climbing to heaven takes effort, as climbing a mountain does, yet keeping your eyes on the promised reward makes the labor feel lighter. - Bill explains that martyrs have a tremendous opportunity to display selflessness, trust and obedience, and that celibate singles have their own opportunity in their particular challenges. - Bill concludes that we should strive to produce the most fruit we can in whatever situation we are in.
Discussion Follow-up
Does talk of reward and effort make you uneasy? What would change if you kept your eyes on the promised reward during your hardest labor this week?