From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard Him thus no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 2 Corinthians 5:16-17
“Let us all therefore love one another in harmony, and let no one look upon his neighbor according to the flesh, but in Christ Jesus. Let nothing exist among you which may divide you.”
Ignatius of Antioch (c.50-c.108) in the Epistle of Ignatius To the Magnesians 6 (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).
Today Ignatius echoes the Apostle Paul urging us not to regard our neighbor according to the flesh. But what does this mean and how does it relate to our generosity?
It simply means we are not to treat others like we did when we did not know Christ. Our faith should shape our interaction with others. As we have been forgiven, we forgive. As we have been given grace, we give grace.
We get to love others in harmony because we have been made one in Christ. And we let nothing divide us because Christ wants us to remain one.
Ignatius was taken captive and led from Antioch to Rome to experience martyrdom. Along the way he visited cities and then wrote short letters like this one.
Imagine these as his last words to them or to you. He knew that for the church to flourish it must preserve the harmony and avoid division. We do this by regarding no one according to the flesh.