Our relationship with God:
+ Guilt (Sin); + Forgiveness (Repentance); + God's Love; + Salvation; + Worship (Praise); + Guidance; + Obedience.
Our relationship with Others:
+ Love; + Compassion (Kindness); + Forgiveness; + Revenge; + Anger; + Hatred (Strife); + Peace; + The Church; + Unity; + Honesty (Truthfulness); + Acceptance (Judging); + The Family; + Society.
Personal Guiline:
+ Correct Values; + Humility (Pride); + Wordliness; + Godliness (Righteousness); + Contentment (Greed); + Peace; + Fear; + Anxiety (Worry); + Depression; + Suffering (Trials); + Faith (Doubt); + Prayer; + Perseverance; + Happiness (Joy); + Thankfullness (Gratitude); + Grief (Loss); + Loneliness; + Hope (Encouragement).
Bible Reference:
Introduction:
Ps 119:105 "Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
2 Timothy 3:16-17 - 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.
Throughout history God has continued to direct and illumine humankind through His written Word, the Bible. It presents a lifelong challenge: "To know God, to love Him and to obey Him."
The following selected verses help to highlight the Biblical message. If you find a particular topic or verse helpful, you may wish to locate the reference in the Bible and read its context. As you incorporate the Word of God into your life, He will bless you with direction and meaning.
Psalms 14:2-3; 53:2-3 - 2 The LORD looks down from heaven upon the children of men, To see if there are any who understand, who seek God. 3 ... There is none who does good, No, not one.
Ecclesiastes 7:20 - (Surely) There is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.
Isaiah 64:6 - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; ...
Jeremiah 17:9 - The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?
Romans 3:10 - As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one;
1 John 1:9; 8,10 - 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.
Ephesians 1:7-8 - 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 - 14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place."
Isaiah 1:18 - "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool."
Psalms 32:5 - Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"- and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Psalms 103:2-3 - 2 Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: 3 Who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases.
Psalms 19:12-14 - 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. 13 Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression. 14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
Hebrews 8:12-13 - 12 "For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more." {Jer. 31:31-34} 13 In speaking of "a New Covenant," He has made the first one obsolete. And what is obsolete and growing old will soon disappear.
Reference: + Hebrews 10 (Jesus and sin sacrifices); Matthew 12:31, Mark 3:29: (Eternal sin: blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven); ....
John 3:16 - 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.
1 John 4:9-10 - 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
Romans 5:8 - But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 8:39 - Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
John 3:16-17 - (See God's Love)
John 14:6 - Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
Romans 10:9 - That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Acts 2:21 - And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.
Acts 4:12 - Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.
Acts 16:31 - They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your household."
Ephesians 2:8-9 - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
1 Peter 1:8-9 - 8 Though you have not seen Him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the Salvation of your souls.
1 Timothy 2:4-6 - 4 He wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all men.
Salvation Reference: John 3:16; Acts 2:33-39; 2Timothy 3:15; Romans 3:24-25; 5:21; Acts 4:12; Hebrews 2:3; 12:2; Ephesians 2:8, 9;. 2Peter 3:8-9 (God is patient for repentance); ... -
John 4:23-24 - 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
Hebrews 13:15-16 - 15 Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise -- the fruit of lips that confess His name. 16 And do not forget to do good and to share with others, for with such sacrifices God is pleased.
Exodus 15:2 - The LORD is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt Him.
Psalmss 18:2, 46 - 2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. + 46 The LORD lives! Praise be to my Rock! Exalted be God my Savior!
Psalms 29:2 - Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalmss 96:1-2 - 1 Sing to the LORD a new song; sing to the LORD, all the earth. 2 Sing to the LORD, praise His name; proclaim His salvation day after day.
Psalms 150:1,6 - 1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! (heaven!) ... 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Jeremiah 17:14 - Heal me, O LORD, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for You are the One I praise.
Psalmss 104:33 - I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live.
Ephesians 5:19 - Speak to one another with Psalmss, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,
(Matthew 15:8-9) - "8 These people honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. 9 They worship Me in vain; teaching human precepts as doctrines."
(Luke 18:9-14) - (True worshiper vs Hypocrite)
John 14:26 - But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.
John 16:13 - But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come.
1 Corinthians 2:12-13 - 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.
Revelation 3:22 - He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Romans 8:28 - 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. ... 30 ... those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Psalms 23:1-3 - 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.
Psalms 143:10-11 - 10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. 11 Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble.
Matthew 12:50 - For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother."
Luke 11:27 - He replied, "Blessed rather are those who hear the Word of God and obey it."
John 14:15-16, 21 - 15 If you love Me, you will keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Advocate (Counselor, Helper), to be with you forever. ... 21 Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.
John 13:34-35 - 34 A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.
Matthew 22:36-40 - 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ {Deut.6:5} 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ {Lev.19:18} 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Ephesians 5:1-2 - 1 Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children 2 and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
1 John 4:7-21 - 7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8 He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. ... 19 We love because He first loved us.
1 Peter 4:8 - Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
1 John 3:18 - Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.
1 Corinthians 13 - ... (4 Love is patient, kind. not envy, not boast, not proud, 5 not rude, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs. 6 not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails.) ... 13 And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love.
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.
Philippians 2:4 - Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Romans 12:12, 15 - 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
Matthew 25:40 - ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’
Ephesians 4:32 - Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Galatians 6:1-2 - 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Colossians 3:13-14 (Eph.4:32) - 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
Mark 11:25 - And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.
Matthew 6:12-15 - 12 Forgive us our debts (sins), as we also have forgiven our debtors. 13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. + 14 For if you forgive others their sins, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. 15 But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. ... (Eph.4:27 and do not give the devil a foothold.)
Proverbs 19:11 - A man’s wisdom gives him patience (slow to anger); it is to his glory to overlook an offense.
Reference: Matthew 18:21-22-35 (forgive seventy-seven times); James 2:12-13 (Mercy triumphs over judgment!); Prov.24:17-18 (Don’t rejoice when enemies fall)...
Romans 12:14, 17-21 -
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody.
++ 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
+ 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is Mine to avenge; I will repay," {Deut.32:35} says the Lord.
... 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 5:43-44 - 43 You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor {Lev.19:18} and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
Luke 6:31 -
Do to others as you would have them do to you. (Golden rule!)
{Don't do to others as you don't want them do to you. (Silver rule)}
1 Timothy 2:8 - I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without anger and disputting (argument, doubting)
James 1:19-20 - 19 You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; 20 for man's anger does not produce God's righteousness.
Psalms 37:8 - Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret, it leads only to evil.
Proverbs 15:1 - A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Ephesians 4:26-27 - 26 "In your anger do not sin" {Psalms 4:4}: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 and do not give the devil a foothold.
Proverbs 10:12 - Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers all wrongs (sins).
Romans 12:9 -
Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
(Jesus loves sinners, but He hates sins).
1 John 2:10-11 - 10 Those who love (other believers) live in the light. Nothing will destroy the faith of those who live in the light. 11 Those who hate (other believers) are in the dark and live in the dark. They don’t know where they’re going, because they can’t see in the dark.
Luke 6:27-28 - 27 But I tell you who hear Me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
Romans 12:18 - If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
Romans 14:19 - Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification.
Ephesians 4:3 - Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
Ephesians 1:22-23 - (Body of Christ) - 22 And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church, 23 which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills everything in every way.
Romans 12:5 - (Unity in Christ) - 5 So in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. ...
1 Corinthians 12:13 - (Unity in one Spirit) - For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body -- whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free -- and have all been made to drink into one Spirit. (share the same Spirit.)
1 Timothy 3:15 - (Family of God) - ..., you will know how people must conduct themselves in the household (family) of God. This is the church of the living God, which is the pillar and foundation of the truth.
Ephesians 4:1-7 - (Unity in ONE) - 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. ++ 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. + 4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called, + 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; + 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it.
Ephesians 4:11-15 - (Biblical Unity, Faith) - 11 It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up + 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. + 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ.
John 4:23-24 - (Worship in Spirit and in Truth) - 23 Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.
2 Corinthians 1:12 - (Biblical Relationship) - Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God’s grace.
Colossians 3:12-17 - (Biblical Relationship) - 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people (children of God: John.1:12), holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ (Phil.4:6-7) rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
Galatians 6:9-10 - (Doing Good) - 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers. (the household of faith.)
1 Peter 4:10 - (serving) - Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms.
Ephesians 3:10-12 - (God's Intent) - 10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to His eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. 12 In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with freedom and confidence.
1 Peter 4:17 - (God's Judgment) - 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house (family) of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 4:16 - (Christian, Church Suffering) - (15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.) 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
Revelation 2-3 - (Letters to the 7 Churches: Reward and Warning) - 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. 3:21 To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. 3:22 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.
Romans 15:5-7 - 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Psalms 133:1 - How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!
Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
Psalms 15:1-3 - 1 LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill? 2 He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart 3 and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman.
Proverbs 12:17 - A truthful witness gives honest testimony, but a false witness tells lies.
1 Peter 3:16 - Keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
Romans 15:7 - Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Matthew 7:1-3 - 1 Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
Ephesians 5:21 - Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.
Ephesians 5:22-33 - (Family Love: husband and wife love each other... +31 man will leave family to be united with his wife)...
Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage should be honored by all, (and kept pure,)...
(Matthew 5:31-32), 1 Corinthians 7:12-16 - (Marry, divorce, sanctified: unbeliever, believer... to live in peace)
Ephesians 6:1-4 - 1 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 "Honor your father and mother", which is the first commandment with a promise: 3 "that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth." {Deut. 5:16} 4 Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.
Proverbs 22:6 - Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Deuteronomy 11:19 - Teach them (Word of God) to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
1 Peter 2:11-12 - 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. (12 Live good lives and to honor God among the pagans)
Romans 13:7-8 - 7 Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor. 8 Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law.
1 Peter 2:16-17 - 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Hebrews 12:14-15 - 14 Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.
1 Timothy 2:1-5 - (Pray for everyone (authoriry) for peaceful life and Jesus' witnessing).
+ Psalms 115:2-3 - 2 Why should the Gentiles say, "So where is their God?" 3 But our God is in heaven; He does whatever He pleases.
Philippians 4:8 - Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable; if anything is excellent or praiseworthy; think about such things.
Jeremiah 9:23-24 - ... 24 But let those who boast boast in this, that they understand and know Me, that I am the LORD; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight," says the LORD.
Proverbs 4:7 - Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Matthew 22:37-40 - 36 "Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" 37 Jesus replied: "‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ {Deut.6:5} 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ {Lev.19:18} 40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."
Micah 6:8 - He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Psalms 25:8-10 - 8 Good and upright is the LORD; therefore He instructs sinners in the way. ++ 9 He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them His way. 10 All the ways of the LORD are loving and faithful for those who keep the demands of His covenant.
1 Peter 5:5-7 - 5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, 7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
Luke 18:14 - I tell you that this man (tax collector), rather than the other (pharisee), went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.
Matthew 6:33 - But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.
1 John 2:15-17 - 15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world -- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -- is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God lives forever.
Colossians 3:5-10 - 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever in you is earthly: ... 7 These are the ways you also once followed, when you were living that life. 8 But now you must get rid of all such things: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 9 Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have stripped off the old self with its practices 10 and have clothed yourselves with the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge according to the image of its Creator.
Galatians 5:22-26 - 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. 24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.
Galatians 5:21-23 - (See Above)
Epehsians 4:22-25 - 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body.
1 Peter 1:15-16 - 15 But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy, because I am holy." {Lev.11:44,45; 19:2; 20:7}.
1 Timothy 2:1-9 - + I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
Romans 6:22-23 - 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. + 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Timothy 6:6-10 - 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. 8 But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. ... 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Hebews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." {Deut. 31:6}
Luke 12:15 - Then he said to them, "Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions."
Matthew 6:19-21 - 19 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. + 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. ... + 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.
Proverbs 14:30 - 29 A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly. 30 A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
Philippians 4:4-7 (Pray - Peace) - 4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. + 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Isaiah 26:3-4 - 3 You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in You, all whose thoughts are fixed on You! 4 Trust in the LORD forever, for the LORD, the LORD, is the Rock eternal.
John 14:26-27 - + 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. ++ 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Psalms 27:1 - The LORD is my light and my salvation - whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life - of whom shall I be afraid?
Psalmss 56:3-4 - 3 Whenever I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I will not fear. What can flesh do to me?
Isaiah 12:2 - Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; He has become my salvation.
1 John 4:18 - There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.
Romans 8:14-16 - 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. + 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
Matthew 10:28 -
Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
(Matthew 16:26 - What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?)
Philippians 4:13 - I can do everything through Him who gives me strength.
Psalms 55:22 - Cast your burden on the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved.
Matthew 6:25-34 - 25 Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ... 31 So do not worry, .... your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 11:28-30 - 28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29 Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.
Philippians 4:6-7 - (See Peace)
Psalms 42:11 - Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God. + (Psalms 139 - God knows everything about us)
Job 6:14 - To him who is afflicted, kindness should be shown by his friend, Even though he forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
Job 22:29 - When they cast you down, and you say, ‘Exaltation will come!’ Then He will save the humble person.
Psalms 56:3-4 - 3 When I am afraid, I will trust in You. 4 In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. ...
Psalms 37:7 - Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Psalms 130:5 - I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.
Romans 8:39 - Neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Matthew 11:28-30 - 28 Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 - 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God.
Matthew 11:28 - (See Anxiety)
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 - 9 But He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Hebrews 12:2-3 - 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
John 16:33 - (See Peace)
2 Corinthians 4:8-9 - 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
James 5:13 - 13 Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.
Hebrews 4:16 - Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
John 20:29 - Then Jesus told him, "Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed."
Hebrews 1:1-6 - 1 In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, 2 but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, and through whom He made the universe. 3 The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful word. After He had provided purification for sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven. ... 6 And again, when God brings His firstborn into the world, He says, "Let all God’s angels worship Him."
Matthew 21:22 - If you believe, you will receive whatever you ask for in prayer."
James 1:6-7 - 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord.
Hebrews 11:1,6 + 1 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ... + 6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
Matthew 7:7-8 - 7 Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Philippians 4:6-7 - 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 6:18 - And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints (believers).
Romans 8:26 - In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.
Psalms 37:7 - Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
James 4:7-8 - 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.
Psalms 61:1-2 - 1 Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer. 2 From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
Luke 18:1 - Then Jesus told His disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.
Matthew 26:41; Mark 14:38 - Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body (the flesh) is weak.
Jude 1:20 - But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 6:9-13 -
9 This, then, is how you should pray:
"Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,
10 your kingdom come, your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us today our daily bread.
12 Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
2 Thessalonians 3:1,13 - 1 Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you. ... 13 And as for you, brothers, never tire of doing what is right.
Galatians 6:9 - Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Hebrews 10:35-36 - 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.
Psalms 16:11 - You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
1 Peter 1:8-9 - 8 Though you have not seen him, you love Him; and even though you do not see Him now, you believe in Him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.
Psalms 37:3-4 - 3 Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Delight yourself in the LORD and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Psalms 97:1 - The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.
Philippians 4:4 - Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!
Psalms 28:7 - 6 Blessed be the LORD, Because He has heard the voice of my supplications! 7 The LORD is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart leaps for joy, And with my song I will praise Him. 8 The LORD is the strength of His people, a fortress of salvation for His anointed one.
Psalms 136:1 - Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good. His love endures forever.
Isaiah 63:7 - I will mention the lovingkindnesses of the LORD And the praises of the LORD, According to all that the LORD has bestowed on us, And the great goodness toward the house of Israel, Which He has bestowed on them according to His mercies, According to the multitude of His lovingkindnesses.
Ephesians 5:19-20 - 19 Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, 20 always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Psalms 68:19 - Blessed be the Lord, Who daily loads us with benefits, The God of our salvation!
Matthew 5:4 - Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
John 11:25-26 - 25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?"
John 16:22 - 22 Therefore you now have sorrow; but I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you. 23 And in that day you will ask Me nothing. Most assuredly, I say to you, whatever you ask the Father in My name He will give you.
Psalms 23:1 - The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want.
Psalms 25:1-22 - 1 To You, O LORD, I lift up my soul. ... 4 Show me Your ways, O LORD; Teach me Your paths. 5 Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. 6 Remember, O LORD, Your tender mercies and Your lovingkindnesses, For they are from of old. ... 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart have multiplied; free me from my anguish. 18 Look upon my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins. ... 21 May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope is in you.
Matthew 28:19-20 - 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
John 14:15-18, 27 - 15 If you love Me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever -- 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. ... ++ 27 Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.
John 16:33 - I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 - 11 For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.
Psalms 23:1-6 - 1 The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures, He leads me beside quiet waters, 3 He restores my soul. He guides me in paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. 4 Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.
Romans 8:24-28 - 24 For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? ++ 25 But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently. + 26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will. ++ 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. ... 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
Isaiah 64:6: - But we are all like an unclean thing, And all our righteousnesses are like filthy rags; We all fade as a leaf, And our iniquities, like the wind, Have taken us away.
Jeremiah 17:9-10 - 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? 10 "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve."
Romans 3:10-12 - 10 As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; 11 there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. 12 All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." {Psalmss 14:1-3; 53:1-3; Eccles. 7:20}
Psalms 32:5-7 - 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"- and You forgave the guilt of my sin. 6 Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to You while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. 7 You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.
1 John 1:5-7, 8-10 - 5 This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. 6 If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. + 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. ++ 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives.
Isaiah 1:18-20 - 18 "Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. 19 If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; 20 but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.
1 John 4:7-10 - 7 Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 8 Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. 9 This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world that we might live through Him. 10 This is love: not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.
John 3:13-21 - 13 No one has ever gone into heaven except the One who came from heaven -- the Son of Man. 14 Just as Moses lifted up the snake in the desert, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life. ++ 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. 21 But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God."
Romans 10:9-10 - 9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Ephesians 2:8-10 - 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
Acts 2:38-39 (Salvation) - 38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call."
1 John 5:11-13 - 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
Psalms 29:1-2 - 1 Give unto (Ascribe. Honor to) the LORD, O you mighty ones, Give unto the LORD glory and strength. 2 Give unto the LORD the glory due to His name; Worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness.
Psalms 150 - 1 Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty heaven! 2 Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! 3 Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! 4 Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! 5 Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! 6 Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!
Psalms 43:1-10 (Guidance) - 1 Hear my prayer, O LORD, Give ear to my supplications! In Your faithfulness answer me, And in Your righteousness. 2 Do not enter into judgment with Your servant, For in Your sight no one living is righteous. 3 For the enemy has persecuted my soul; He has crushed my life to the ground; He has made me dwell in darkness, Like those who have long been dead. 4 Therefore my spirit is overwhelmed within me; My heart within me is distressed. 5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I muse on the work of Your hands. 6 I spread out my hands to You; My soul longs for You like a thirsty land. Selah 7 Answer me speedily, O LORD; My spirit fails! Do not hide Your face from me, Lest I be like those who go down into the pit. 8 Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. 9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; In You I take shelter. 10 Teach me to do Your will, For You are my God; Your Spirit is good. Lead me in the land of uprightness. 11 Revive me, O LORD, for Your name’s sake! For Your righteousness’ sake bring my soul out of trouble. 12 In Your mercy cut off my enemies, And destroy all those who afflict my soul; For I am Your servant.
John 16:13-16 (Guidance) - 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all truth. He will not speak on His own; He will speak only what He hears, and He will tell you what is yet to come. 14 He will bring glory to me by taking from what is Mine and making it known to you. 15 All that belongs to the Father is Mine. That is why I said the Spirit will take from what is Mine and make it known to you.
John 14:12-18; 21 (Obedience) - 12 Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father. 13 And whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 "If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. 15 If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever -- 17 the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. ... 21 Whoever has My commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves Me. He who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love him and show Myself to him.
1 Corinthians 13 (Christian Love, Relationship) - 1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. 4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 8 Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part, 10 but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. 11 When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. 12 Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. 13 And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.
(NRSV) {4 Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant 5 or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; 6 it does not rejoice in wrongdoing, but rejoices in the truth. 7 It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never ends...}
(NKJV) {4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. }
John 15:1-27 - 1 "I am the true vine, and My Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch in Me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful. 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in Me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in Me. ++ 5 I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in Me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not remain in Me, he is like a branch that is thrown away and withers; such branches are picked up, thrown into the fire and burned. 7 If you remain in Me and My words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8 This is to MyFather’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be Mydisciples. 9 As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in Mylove. 10 If you obey Mycommands, you will remain in Mylove, just as I have obeyed MyFather’s commands and remain in his love. 11 I have told you this so that Myjoy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12 Mycommand is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13 Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14 You are Myfriends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from MyFather I have made known to you. 16 You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in Myname. 17 This is Mycommand: Love each other. 18 If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated Me first. 19 If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20 Remember the words I spoke to you: ‘No servant is greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed Myteaching, they will obey yours also. 21 They will treat you this way because of Myname, for they do not know the One who sent me. 22 If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not be guilty of sin. Now, however, they have no excuse for their sin. 23 He who hates Me hates MyFather as well. 24 If I had not done among them what no one else did, they would not be guilty of sin. But now they have seen these miracles, and yet they have hated both Me and MyFather. 25 But this is to fulfill what is written in their Law: ‘They hated Me without reason.’ 26 When the Counselor comes, whom I will send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, he will testify about me. 27 And you also must testify, for you have been with Me from the beginning.
1 Peter 4:8-11 - 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.
1 John 3:18-24 - 18 Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. 19 This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in His presence 20 whenever our hearts condemn us. For God is greater than our hearts, and He knows everything. 21 Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence before God 22 and receive from Him anything we ask, because we obey His commands and do what pleases Him. 23 And this is His command: to believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as He commanded us. 24 Those who obey His commands live in Him, and He in them. And this is how we know that He lives in us: We know it by the Spirit he gave us.
Colossians 3:1-25 (Guidance) 1 Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. 3 For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. 5 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. 6 Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. 7 You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. 8 But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices 10 and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator. 11 Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all. 12 Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. 14 And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. 16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing Psalmss, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. ++ 17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. 18 Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. 20 Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged. 22 Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. ++ 23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24 since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. 25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.
Philippians 2:1-16 (Guidance) - 1 If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, Hf any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, 2 then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. 3 Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. 4 Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. 5 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, 7 but made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross! 9 Therefore God exalted Him to the highest place and gave Him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed -- not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence -- continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to His good purpose. 14 Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15 so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe 16 as you hold out the word of life -- in order that I may boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor for nothing.
Romans 12:1-21 (Guidance) - 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God -- this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -- His good, pleasing and perfect will. 3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 4 Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. + 7 If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; + 8 if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully. + 9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. ++ 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. + 13 Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. + 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. + 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Matthew 25:37-40 - 37 "Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 "The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for Me.’
Galatians 6:1-10 - 1 Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. 4 Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, 5 for each one should carry his own load. 6 Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. 7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.
Romans 15:1-7 - 1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on Me." {Psalms 69:9} 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. 5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, 6 so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. 7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.
Ephesians 4:1- 16 (Trinity, New Christian Life) - 1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. 2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. + 4 There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- + 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism; + 6 one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. + 7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it. ... + 11 It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ++ 14 Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. 16 From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. .... 20 You, however, did not come to know Christ that way. 21 Surely you heard of Him and were taught in Him in accordance with the truth that is in Jesus. + 22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; + 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; + 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness. 25 Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body. ++ 26 "In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, + 27 and do not give the devil a foothold. .... 29 Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. + 32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.
Hebrews 10:1-39 (Jesus and sin sacrifices) - 1 The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming -- not the realities themselves. For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship. 2 If it could, would they not have stopped being offered? For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins. + 3 But those sacrifices are an annual reminder of sins, 4 because it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. 5 Therefore, when Christ came into the world, he said: "Sacrifice and offering you did not desire, but a body you prepared for Me; 6 with burnt offerings and sin offerings you were not pleased. 8 First He said, "Sacrifices and offerings, burnt offerings and sin offerings you did not desire, nor were you pleased with them" (although the law required them to be made). 9 Then He said, "Here I am, I have come to do your will." He sets aside the first to establish the second. + 10 And by that will, we have been made holy through the sacrifice of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 11 Day after day every priest stands and performs his religious duties; again and again he offers the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins. 12 But when this Priest had offered for all time one sacrifice for sins, He sat down at the right hand of God. 13 Since that time He waits for His enemies to be made His footstool, + 14 because by one sacrifice He has made perfect forever those who are being made holy. 15 The Holy Spirit also testifies to us about this. First He says: 16 "This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds." {Jer. 31:33} 17 Then He adds: "Their sins and lawless acts I will remember no more." {Jer. 31:34} ++ 18 And where these have been forgiven, there is no longer any sacrifice for sin. 19 Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, 20 by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, His body, 21 and since we have a Great Priest over the house of God, 22 let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the Day approaching. 26 If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, ... + 36 You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. 37 For in just a very little while, "He who is coming will come and will not delay. 38 But my righteous one will live by faith. And if he shrinks back, I will not be pleased with him." {Hab. 2:3,4} 39 But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who believe and are saved.
Ephesians 1:3-10 (Grace and Blessing) - 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For He chose us in Him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love 5 He predestined us to be adopted as His sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with His pleasure and will -- 6 to the praise of His glorious grace, which He has freely given us in the One He loves. 7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace 8 that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding. 9 And He made known to us the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure, which He purposed in Christ, 10 to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment -- to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.
2 Chronicles 7:14-15 (Forgiveness) - 14 If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15 Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.
2 Peter 3:8-9 (God is patient for repentance) - 8 But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9 The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
Proverbs 24:14-20 (godly vs wicked) - 14 In the same way, wisdom is sweet to your soul. If you find it, you will have a bright future, and your hopes will not be cut short. 15 Don’t wait in ambush at the home of the godly, and don’t raid the house where the godly live. 16 The godly may trip seven times, but they will get up again. But one disaster is enough to overthrow the wicked. 17 Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble. 18 For the LORD will be displeased with you and will turn his anger away from them. 19 Don’t fret because of evildoers; don’t envy the wicked. 20 For evil people have no future; the light of the wicked will be snuffed out.
Matthews 5:43-48 (God's love overcomes Revenge) - 43 "You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor {Lev.19:18} and hate your enemy.’ 44 But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, 45 so that you may be children of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the righteous and on the unrighteous. 46 For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? 47 And if you greet only your brothers and sisters, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? 48 Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
1 Corinthians 2:1- (Spiritual Guidance and Wisdom) - 1 When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. ++ 2 For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 3 I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. 4 My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, 5 so that your faith might not rest on men’s wisdom, but on God’s power. 6 We do, however, speak a message of wisdom among the mature, but not the wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. 7 No, we speak of God’s secret wisdom, a wisdom that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood it, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" {Isaiah 64:4} -- 10 but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. 11 For who among men knows the thoughts of a man except the man’s spirit within him? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 We have not received the spirit of the world but the Spirit who is from God, that we may understand what God has freely given us. 13 This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom but in words taught by the Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words. 14 The man without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual man makes judgments about all things, but he himself is not subject to any man’s judgment: 16 "For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?" But we have the mind of Christ.
1 Timothy 2:1-9 - + I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone -- 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, + 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all men -- the testimony given in its proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle -- I am telling the truth, I am not lying -- and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Romans 6:1-23 (Set free from sin) - 1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 If we have been united with Him like this in His death, we will certainly also be united with him in His resurrection. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin -- 7 because anyone who has died has been freed from sin. 8 Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him. 9 For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead, He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him. 10 The death He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life He lives, He lives to God. 11 In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus. 12 Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires. 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 14 For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace. 15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey -- whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? 17 But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin, you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted. + 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness. 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 20 When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness. 21 What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of? Those things result in death! 22 But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life. ++ 23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
1 Peter 3:8-18 - 8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." {Psalms 34:12-16} 13 Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened." {Isaiah 8:12} ++ 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. 17 It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
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