Fragments from the Lost Writings of Irenæus

True knowledge, then, lies in understanding Christ, which Paul calls the wisdom of God hidden in a mystery, which "the natural man does not accept," the doctrine of the cross; if anyone "tastes" this, they will not follow the debates and trivialities of proud and arrogant people, who delve into matters they do not understand. For the truth is simple; and "the word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart," as the same apostle says, being easy to understand for those who are obedient. For it makes us like Christ if we experience "the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings." This reflects the connection of the apostolic teaching and the most holy "faith delivered unto us," which the unlearned accept, and those with little knowledge have taught, not "paying attention to endless genealogies," but striving to live a straightforward life; lest, having been deprived of the Divine Spirit, they fail to reach the kingdom of heaven. For truly the first thing is to deny oneself and follow Christ; and those who do this are led to perfection, having fulfilled all their Teacher’s will, becoming children of God through spiritual rebirth, and heirs of the kingdom of heaven; those who seek this first will not be abandoned.