Archives by: Gary Hoag

But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Luke 6:35

“If you also desire [to possess] this faith, you likewise shall receive first of all the knowledge of the Father. For God has loved mankind, on whose account He made the world, to whom He rendered subject all the things that are in it, to whom He gave reason and understanding, to whom alone He imparted the privilege of looking upwards to Himself, whom He formed after His own image, to whom He sent His only-begotten Son, to whom He has promised a kingdom in heaven, and will give it to those who have loved Him. And when you have attained this knowledge, with what joy do you think you will be filled? Or, how will you love Him who has first so loved you? And if you love Him, you will be an imitator of His kindness. And do not wonder that a man may become an imitator of God. He can, if he is willing. For it is not by ruling over his neighbours, or by seeking to hold the supremacy over those that are weaker, or by being rich, and showing violence towards those that are inferior, that happiness is found; nor can any one by these things become an imitator of God. But these things do not at all constitute His majesty.

On the contrary he who takes upon himself the burden of his neighbour; he who, in whatsoever respect he may be superior, is ready to benefit another who is deficient; he who, whatsoever things he has received from God, by distributing these to the needy, becomes like a god to those who receive [his benefits]: he is an imitator of God. Then thou shalt see, while still on earth, that God in the heavens rules over [the universe]; then thou shall begin to speak the mysteries of God; then shalt thou both love and admire those that suffer punishment because they will not deny God; then shall thou condemn the deceit and error of the world when thou shall know what it is to live truly in heaven, when thou shalt despise that which is here esteemed to be death, when thou shalt fear what is truly death, which is reserved for those who shall be condemned to the eternal fire, which shall afflict those even to the end that are committed to it. Then shalt thou admire those who for righteousness’ sake endure the fire that is but for a moment, and shalt count them happy when thou shalt know [the nature of] that fire.”

Mathetes (c. 130) “a disciple of the Apostles,” was likely a student of Paul or an associate of one of the Apostles, in The Epistle of Mathetes to Diognetus, 10 (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

In his Sermon on the Plain in Luke’s Gospel, Jesus calls His followers to love their enemies, do good to them, and to lend to enemies without expecting to get anything back. That’s radically different from cultural norms.

The instruction makes no sense in earthly terms. But from a kingdom perspective, Jesus promises reward and renown, “you will be children of the Most High,” for imitating His kindness to the undeserving.

Then in today’s post we learn from Mathetes, who learned from one of the Apostles, that when we follow the teachings of Jesus, we become imitators of God. This takes on many forms of generosity.

We don’t do this by being rich. We do it by helping carry the burden of our neighbor, by distributing to the needy, and benefiting the deficient. All this is paradoxical. Only as we live it out, do we start to grasp the mysteries of God.

A closer look reveals that the inspiration for the sacrificial generosity of the first disciples was not guilt or obligation. They simply imitated the kindness of our Lord, and in so doing, discovered abundant life.

It was not only better than anything the world could offer. It was worth dying for. Imagine you are Diognetus…Do you share the passion and resolve if Mathetes? Are you ready to endure fire for a moment?

Barnabas wanted to take John, also called Mark, with them. Acts 15:37

“Mark having become the interpreter of Peter, wrote down accurately whatsoever he remembered. It was not, however, in exact order that he related the sayings or deeds of Christ. For he neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him. But afterwards, as I said, he accompanied Peter, who accommodated his instructions to the necessities [of his hearers], but with no intention of giving a regular narrative of the Lord’s sayings. Wherefore Mark made no mistake in thus writing some things as he remembered them. For of one thing he took special care, not to omit anything he had heard, and not to put anything fictitious into the statements.”

Papias of Hierapolis in Fragments of Papias (Roberts-Donaldson English Translation).

I hope you are finding the journey through ancient documents interesting. I am moved by the gratitude, commitment, and faithfulness of the Apostolic Fathers.

Today we turn to Papias, bishop of Hierapolis (mentioned in Colossians 4:13), a hearer of John the Apostle, and a friend of Polycarp. He provides ancient evidence that Mark gave us the Petrine gospel (Peter’s account).

Most interesting is his description of it this account. It did not intend to be a narrative of the Lord’s dealings but he took “special care” to write down “the necessities” for us.

He wrote everything he recalled. He neither omitted anything nor put anything fictitious in there. Mark’s Gospel comes to us as a gift, ‘the necessities” of the gospel! How might you give such a gift?

You too have “neither heard the Lord nor accompanied Him” but undoubtedly you’ve learned from your own study. What are important teachings of Jesus you could pass on to others?

Think about it. Some of the richest generosity takes this form: You study the teachings of Jesus, put them to practice, and then testify to their veracity to others. You figure them out as you live them out.

And then you help the next generation. John taught guys like Papias and Polycarp. Peter poured himself into Mark who helped future generations know about Jesus. What can you do to help future generations know about Jesus?

“But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Luke 6:27-28

“For the race of the pious is now persecuted in a way contrary to all precedent, being harassed by a new kind of edicts everywhere in Asia. For unblushing informers, and such as are greedy of other men’s goods, taking occasion from the orders issued, carry on their robbery without any disguise, plundering of their property night and day those who are guilty of no wrong.

If these proceedings take place at thy bidding, well and good. For a just sovereign will never take unjust measures; and we, on our part, gladly accept the honour of such a death. This request only we present to thee, that thou wouldst first of all examine for thyself into the behaviour of these reputed agents of so much strife, and then come to a just decision as to whether they merit death and punishment, or deserve to live in safety and quiet.

But if, on the contrary, it shall turn out that this measure, and this new sort of command, which it would be unbecoming to employ even against barbarian foemen, do not proceed from thee, then all the more do we entreat thee not to leave us thus.”

Melito of Sardis (c. 170) in his Apology addressed to Marcus Aurelius Antoninus (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

It’s awesome to read the radical teachings of Jesus. They are counterintuitive and point the way to life. It’s also quite interesting to read the writings of disciples who followed after Him. The followed in obedience!

For example, the apostle John discipled Polycarp who discipled Irenaeus. Melito likely knew Polycarp and almost assuredly he knew Irenaeus. Melito writes this apology from Sardis in the reign of Marcus Aurelius (161-180).

Remember, Sardis is one of the seven churches mentioned in John’s Apocalypse (Revelation 3:1-6). We can posit that Melito was among the faithful remnant there which had not fallen asleep.

He writes the emperor and describes what’s happening. “Unblushing informers” are “greedy” and “plundering” the property of “the pious” This term, “the pious,” was the label the Romans affixed on the Christians for their consistent behavior.

Anyway, Melito does not come across as complaining. He submits to the emperor saying that “if these proceedings take place at thy bidding, well and good.” In other words, treat us as you wish, just examine what is taking place.

What happened you may ask? What’s the rest of the story? In hard times, God strengthens His people and gives them grace to remain pious. People like this are one of God’s greatest gifts to the church.

Sadly, Melito was martyred by Marcus Aurelius Antoninus. Not guilty of wrong, He stayed pious to the death. As Jesus commanded, he did good to the Emperor to the death. Let’s go and do likewise in these crazy times.

And the master of that slave felt compassion, and he released him and forgave him the debt. Matthew 18:27

“Therefore, by remitting sins, [Jesus] did indeed heal man, while He also manifested Himself who He was. For if no one can forgive sins but God alone, while the Lord remitted them and healed men, it is plain that He was Himself the Word of God made the Son of man, receiving from the Father the power of remission of sins; since He was man, and since He was God, in order that since as man He suffered for us, so as God He might have compassion on us, and forgive us our debts, in which we were made debtors to God our Creator. And therefore David said beforehand, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin; “pointing out thus that remission of sins which follows upon His advent, by which “He has destroyed the handwriting” of our debt, and “fastened it to the cross; ” so that as by means of a tree we were made debtors to God, [so also] by means of a tree we may obtain the remission of our debt.”

Irenaeus of Lyons in Against Heresies 5.17.3 (c. 175-185).

Let us give thanks today that Jesus had compassion on us and released us from a debt we could never repay. The debt we accumulated as a result of our sins. Or as Irenaeus the bishop of Lyons so eloquently put it:

“He has destroyed the handwriting” of our debt, and “fastened it to the cross; ” so that as by means of a tree we were made debtors to God, [so also] by means of a tree we may obtain the remission of our debt.”

I pray this produces three things in us—gratitude, compassion, and generosity—which can point people to our Lord Jesus Christ, the only one who can secure the remission of their debt.

Firstly, let us each morning and every hour express gratitude to God in our hearts and with our lips for the forgiveness of sins and the salvation we have through the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Secondly, may God stir in us a similar compassion in us for those who remained enslaved to sin. Even as we have been healed by the blood of Jesus, they need the healing only found in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Thirdly, even as Jesus held nothing back but suffered and sacrificed his life for us, I pray that we will hold nothing back. Let us live, give, serve, and love others generously to make known the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Today, I have the monthly GTP staff meeting with 10 workers from 10 countries (myself included). Pray for us. When GTP flourishes, the churches and ministries we serve become more effective and more people come to know our Lord Jesus Christ.

We will discuss program work serving church and ministry workers in the next month onsite in Ethiopia, Kenya, Guatemala, and Honduras, and online cohorts reaching Thailand, Philippines, Nigeria, China, and receptive stewards worldwide.

If God has put one or more of these countries or people groups on your heart, please consider a one-time gift today or set up monthly giving here in support of this important onsite and online program work.

Then Paul made his defense: “I have done nothing wrong against the Jewish law or against the temple or against Caesar.” Acts 25:8

“But the Christians, O King, while they went about and made search, have found the truth; and as we learned from their writings, they have come nearer to truth and genuine knowledge than the rest of the nations. For they know and trust in God, the Creator of heaven and of earth, in whom and from whom are all things, to whom there is no other god as companion, from whom they received commandments which they engraved upon their minds and observe in hope and expectation of the world which is to come.

Wherefore they do not commit adultery nor fornication, nor bear false witness, nor embezzle what is held in pledge, nor covet what is not theirs. They honour father and mother, and show kindness to those near to them; and whenever they are judges, they judge uprightly. They do not worship idols (made) in the image of man; and whatsoever they would not that others should do unto them, they do not to others; and of the food which is consecrated to idols they do not eat, for they are pure.

And their oppressors they comfort and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies; and their women, O King, are pure as virgins, and their daughters are modest; and their men keep themselves from every unlawful union and from all uncleanness, in the hope of a recompense to come in the other world. Further, if one or other of them have bondmen and bondwomen or children, through love towards them they persuade them to become Christians, and when they have done so, they call them brethren without distinction.

They do not worship strange gods, and they go their way in all modesty and cheerfulness. Falsehood is not found among them; and they love one another, and from widows they do not turn away their esteem; and they deliver the orphan from him who treats him harshly. And he, who has, gives to him who has not, without boasting. And when they see a stranger, they take him in to their homes and rejoice over him as a very brother; for they do not call them brethren after the flesh, but brethren after the spirit and in God.

And whenever one of their poor passes from the world, each one of them according to his ability gives heed to him and carefully sees to his burial. And if they hear that one of their number is imprisoned or afflicted on account of the name of their Messiah, all of them anxiously minister to his necessity, and if it is possible to redeem him they set him free. And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.

They observe the precepts of their Messiah with much care, living justly and soberly as the Lord their God commanded them. Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses toward them; and for their food and their drink they offer thanksgiving to Him. And if any righteous man among them passes from the world, they rejoice and offer thanks to God; and they escort his body as if he were setting out from one place to another near.

And when a child has been born to one of them, they give thanks to God; and if moreover it happen to die in childhood, they give thanks to God the more, as for one who has passed through the world without sins. And further if they see that any one of them dies in his ungodliness or in his sins, for him they grieve bitterly, and sorrow as for one who goes to meet his doom.”

Aristides of Athens (d. 134) in The Apology of Aristides the Philosopher of Athens XV. This apology was written for the Roman Emperor Hadrian (c. 117-134) to describe the behavior of the Christians.

When any behavior outside the cultural norm surfaced in the ancient world, the philosophers were commissioned to go collect the truth and report. I marvel afresh today how they exhibit generosity rooted in gratitude.

What description stuck out to you as exemplary? Their devotion or sexual purity? Their integrity or modesty? Their sacrifice or service? Oh that modern reporters would find the same descriptions in the church today!

Three phrases touched me. Consider them with me.

1. “And their oppressors they comfort and make them their friends; they do good to their enemies.” I pray for my Ukrainian friends to not grow bitter but do good and win Russians as friends. I pray this in the spirit of Romans 12:21 “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”

2. “And if there is among them any that is poor and needy, and if they have no spare food, they fast two or three days in order to supply to the needy their lack of food.” This requires us to attune to the needs of other fellow believers around us. The willingness of the early church to sacrifice and supply what others needed inspires me to set aside my desires and attune to the needs of others.

3. “Every morning and every hour they give thanks and praise to God for His loving-kindnesses toward them.” As my focus in 2023 is gratitude, it motivates me to see how every morning and every hour they gave thanks for God’s generosity, his loving-kindnesses to them. That implies that they thanked God for the little things.

God help us love our enemies and make them our friends. Teach us to attune to the needs of fellow believers, to fast and sacrifice to support them. And hear our daily and hourly gratitude for the blessings we enjoy thanks to Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching. Hebrews 10:25

“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 of Antioch (c.110) in To The Ephesians 1 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Ephesians, he points the pathway to perpetual peace: assemble frequently. The evil one aims to divide and conquer. We must convene and celebrate victory.

I have a friend, perhaps you know people like him, who the evil one is trying to separate from the fold, convince him of lies, and destroy him. When I see him, I make it a point to speak truth.

Will he make it? I don’t know. But I know this. When I convene with my brothers at Bible study, or when I go to church, my faith grows stronger. When I find myself alone, my faith gets weak.

What’s this got to do with generosity? We must encourage everyone we know to assemble together with thankful hearts. In so doing, God will fill us with peace.

Know anyone that is isolated. Encourage them to join you in soaking in the generous love and peace of Christ. In so doing, you may just save their lives.

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. John 10:10

“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. 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 of Antioch (c.110) in To The Magnesians 1 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Magnesians, residents of the city of Magnesia, he describes Jesus as the “constant source” of our life who helps us “endure all the assaults of the prince of this world.”

What a generous Lord we serve! As He Himself said, the thief comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus is the opposite of a thief. He’s our “constant source” of abundant life.

A few times whilst growing up, I saw wells drilled and bubbling. Perhaps you too have seen this? It’s amazing how a well serves as a constant source of cool, fresh water!

So where do we fit in the picture? Like the Magnesians, we get to go to the well to get water to enjoy and share. To be refreshed and to refresh others. Do it generously!

One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Proverbs 11:24-25

At GTP we pray for God to raise up monthly givers. I mentioned this yesterday and a few people responded. Can you consider serving as a constant source to refresh workers at GTP?

If you missed it yesterday, take a moment to do it today. Send $10 or $100 per month starting in January. Visit the GTP giving page to set up your monthly gift.

Your gift sends refreshment and a salute to staff who minister in hard places and live in Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, and USA.

Salute every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren which are with me greet you. All the saints salute you, chiefly they that are of Caesar’s household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Philippians 4:21-23

“I salute you from Smyrna, together with the Churches of God which are with me, who have refreshed me in all things, both in the flesh and in the spirit. My bonds, which I carry about with me for the sake of Jesus Christ (praying that I may attain to God), exhort you. Continue in harmony among yourselves, and in prayer with one another; for it becomes every one of you, and especially the presbyters, to refresh the bishop, to the honour of the Father, of Jesus Christ, and of the apostles. I entreat you in love to hear me, that I may not, by having written, be a testimony against you. And do ye also pray for me, who have need of your love, along with the mercy of God, that I may be worthy of the lot for which I am destined, and that I may not be found reprobate.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Trallians 12 (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In his letter to the Trallians, residents of the city of Tralles, sent from Smyrna, we see him use a powerful idea employed by Paul in his letter to the Philippians: Salute!

Paul boldly calls the Philippians to salute every saint. And he fearlessly adds that those in Caesar’s household salute them back. And with the salute comes generous refreshment.

Notice again the idea that Ignatius reports that he has received refreshment. Is there someone in ministry that you could salute and refresh in the new year?

At GTP we pray for God to raise up monthly givers. Can you consider sending $10 or $100 per month starting in January. Visit the PayPal link on the GTP giving page to set up your monthly gift.

Your gift sends refreshment and a salute to staff who minister in hard places and live in Australia, Egypt, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Nepal, Philippines, Rwanda, South Africa, and USA.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:12-14

“Through prayer to God I have obtained the privilege of seeing your most worthy faces, and have even been granted more than I requested; for I hope as a prisoner in Christ Jesus to salute you, if indeed it be the will of God that I be thought worthy of attaining unto the end. For the beginning has been well ordered, if I may obtain grace to cling to my lot without hindrance unto the end. For I am afraid of your love, lest it should do me an injury. For it is easy for you to accomplish what you please; but it is difficult for me to attain to God, if ye spare me.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Romans (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

In this, his letter to the Romans we see similar language as Paul in his letter to the Philippians. We see the language of not stopping with having obtained something but also attaining (or straining) toward a goal.

Pause and ponder with me in order to see the connection to gratitude and your own generosity. Otherwise, like many you may be tempted to give up (and you don’t want that kind of giving in these hard times)!

When we obtain a privilege. It is not for us alone but for our sharing. When we obtain progress, it is not for us to stop, but rather to press on to the goal in humble service and to finish well.

Take a moment to assess what you have obtained in 2023. Now consider with gratitude that maybe you have have received this blessing or grace in order to attain to some greater end as part of God’s will for you.

Thank God for what you have obtained but don’t stop there. Ask Him what He wants you to attain to from here. And with Ignatius, I pray that God will help all of us obtain grace so we may attain well unto the end!

To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: “These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars—I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you. Since you have kept my command to endure patiently, I will also keep you from the hour of trial that is going to come on the whole world to test the inhabitants of the earth. I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown. The one who is victorious I will make a pillar in the temple of my God. Never again will they leave it. I will write on them the name of my God and the name of the city of my God, the new Jerusalem, which is coming down out of heaven from my God; and I will also write on them my new name. Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. Revelation 3:7-13

“Now, as to Philo the deacon, of Cilicia, a man of reputation, who still ministers to me in the word of God, along with Rheus Agathopus, an elect man, who has followed me from Syria, not regarding his life-these bear witness in your behalf; and I myself give thanks to God for you, that ye have received them, even as the Lord you. But may those that dishonoured them be forgiven through the grace of Jesus Christ! The love of the brethren at Troas salutes you; whence also I write to you by Burrhus, who was sent along with me by the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans, to show their respect. May the Lord Jesus Christ honour them, in whom they hope, in flesh, and soul, and faith, and love, and concord! Fare ye well in Christ Jesus, our common hope.”

Ignatius of Antioch (c.110) in To The Philadelphians (Roberts-Donaldson Translation).

For his Christian faith, Ignatius was arrested in Antioch and led from Antioch to Rome to face trial (c. 105-115). He visited disciples of Jesus along the way and wrote them letters to encourage them.

These letters — to the Smyrnaeans, Philadelphians, Romans, Trallians, Magnesians, and Ephesians — are part of a wonderful collection called The Apostolic Fathers.

Ignatius traveled with Philo and Rheus Agathopus, whom we read about yesterday in his letter to the Smyrnaeans. Now we see Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer, has joined the group thanks to the support of the Ephesians and Smyrnaeans.

Notice three things today from the opening of the message from our Lord Jesus Christ to the church in Philadelphia and from the correspondence to the church a generation later.

Firstly, Jesus knows their deeds and responds accordingly. Read the Scripture again. He says, “I know…I know…” followed by “I will make…I will make…I will make.”

When we do the deeds He desires of us, we can count on Him to act in accordance with His character. We can be assured of His generous and tender care in difficult times.

Secondly, names matter. Jesus will write His name on those who persevere. Because they played there part, they have much to look forward to in the city of God.

And it seems like we get examples with the fearless saints mentioned in this letter of Ignatius, namely, Philo the deacon, Rheus Agathopus the elect man, and Burrhus, a scribe or letter writer.

Thirdly, gratitude drips from every word of Ignatius. The church has received these fellow workers and appears unified in extending generous hospitality. We do this because we share a common hope.

Jesus knows our deeds. He values the roles we play. And He knows our names. So, to inspire others to persevere in playing their parts, we get call them by name and drip with the same gratitude of Ignatius.