‘In Christ’ we can be all
things for all people in order to win some to Christ. We are one with God
‘in Christ’ and His children having the following resources ...
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not
envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; -- 1 Cor 13:4.
God is patient, He is slow to lose patience;
He is kind and looks for ways to be constructive, working all things out for
our good; He is not jealous, controlling, nor possessive; He is not anxious
to impress, nor is He arrogant, unwilling to live within us.
Love... does not behave rudely, does not
seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; - 1 Cor 13:5. God does not
act unseemly toward us, nor would He abuse us; God looks our for our best
interest, He pursues His own when they go their own way; He is not upset
easily; God does not keep account of evil or take into account wrongs;
Love... does not rejoice in iniquity, but
rejoices in the truth; - 1 Cor 13:6. God does not gloat over the wickedness
of our corrupt nature; but rejoices when men turn to the truth and the
righteousness found in Christ.
Love... bears all things, believes all
things, hopes all things, endures all things. - 1 Cor 13:7. His forbearance
knows no limits. He is merciful; He knows no end to trust. Believing in
us, He cares beyond measure; there is no fading of hope.
Love never fails. - 1 Cor 13:8. God is
Almighty, Sovereign, Eternal.
And now abide faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love. - 1 Cor 13:13. The world will
know we are His if we show love one to another.
Showing love is more important than
spiritual gifts
Though I speak with the tongues of men and
of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging
cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all
mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could
remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.
It is better to have than to sacrifice or
become a martyr
And though I bestow all my goods to feed the
poor, and though I give my body to be
burned, but have not love, it profits me
nothing.
The attributes of true love
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not
envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave
rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not
rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes
all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.
Spiritual gifts and knowledge will pass away
But whether there are prophecies, they will
fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is
knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in
part.
When our love is perfected, we will know God
as He knows us
But when that which is perfect has come,
then that which is in part will be done away. When I was a child, I spoke
as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became
a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but
then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also
am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of
these is love.
LOVE MUST BE SINCERE
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is
evil. Cling to what is good. Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in
diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient
in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs
of the saints, given to hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless
and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who
weep. Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high
things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
THE KEY TO OVERCOMING EVIL
Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for
good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends
on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but
rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will
repay," says the Lord. "Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him; if he
thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire on
his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. --
Romans 9:12-21
LOVE DISCIPLINES ALL
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded
by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin
which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is
set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who
for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him
who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls. You have not yet resisted to
bloodshed, striving against sin. And you have forgotten the exhortation
which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of
the LORD, nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; For whom the LORD
loves He chastens, and scourges every son whom He receives." If you endure
chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a
father does not chasten? But if you are without chastening, of which all
have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. Furthermore,
we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall
we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and
live? For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them,
but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. Now no
chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but grievous; nevertheless,
afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have
been trained by it. Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the
feeble knees, and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame
may not be dislocated, but rather be healed. -- Hebrews 12:1-13
LOVE IS TO BE GIVEN TO EVERYONE
For this is the message that you heard from
the beginning, that we should love one another, not as Cain who was of the
wicked one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his
works were evil and his brother's righteous. Do not marvel, my brethren,
if the world hates you. We know that we have passed from death to life,
because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in
death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no
murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He
laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need,
and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My
little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in
truth. And by this we know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our
hearts before Him. For if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our
heart, and knows all things. Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us, we
have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him,
because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in
His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name
of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment.
Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this
we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. --1 John
3:11-24
GOD'S LOVE FOR US, OUR FATHER'S LOVE
And now, little children, abide in Him, that
when He appears, we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him at His
coming. If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who
practices righteousness is born of Him. Behold what manner of love the
Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God!
Therefore the world does not know us, because it did not know Him. Beloved,
now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall
be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall
see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself,
just as He is pure. Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin
is lawlessness. And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins,
and in Him there is no sin. Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever
sins has neither seen Him nor known Him. Little children, let no one
deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is
righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the
beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might
destroy the works of the devil. Whoever has been born of God does not sin,
for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of
God. In this the children of God and the children of the devil are
manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he
who does not love his brother. -- 1 John 2:28-3:10
GOD'S LOVE AND OUR'S
Beloved, let us love one another, for love
is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does
not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was
manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the
world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved
God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our
sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No
one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and
His love has been perfected in us. By this we know that we abide in Him,
and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. And we have seen and
testify that the Father has sent the Son as Savior of the world. Whoever
confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
And we have known and believed the love that God has for us. God is love,
and he who abides in love abides in God, and God in him. Love has been
perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of
judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. There is no fear in
love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But
he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He
first loved us. If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is
a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he
love God whom he has not seen? And this commandment we have from Him: that
he who loves God must love his brother also. -- 1 John 4:7-21
LOVE FOR THE FATHER
Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is
born of God, and everyone who loves Him who begot also loves him who is
begotten of Him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we
love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we
keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. For
whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that
has overcome the world; our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he
who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? This is He who came by water and
blood; Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. And it is
the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. For there are
three who bear witness in heaven: the Father, the Word, and the Holy Spirit;
and these three are one. And there are three that bear witness on earth:
the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one. If we
receive the witness of men, the witness of God is greater; for this is the
witness of God which He has testified of His Son. He who believes in the
Son of God has the witness in himself; he who does not believe God has made
Him a liar, because he has not believed the testimony that God has given of
His Son. And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and
this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have
the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who
believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have
eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of
God. Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask
anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears
us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked
of Him. If anyone sees his brother sinning a sin which does not lead to
death, he will ask, and He will give him life for those who commit sin not
leading to death. There is sin leading to death. I do not say that he
should pray about that. All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not
leading to death. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he
who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch
him. We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of
the wicked one. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us
an understanding, that we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is
true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life.
Little children, keep yourselves from idols. Amen. -- 1 John 5
LOVE IS: IMPARTIAL
"Therefore love the stranger, for you were
strangers in the land of Egypt. --Deut. 10:19
UNSELFISH
"And the second is like it: 'You shall love
your neighbor as yourself.'--Matthew 22:39
PROOF OF DISCIPLESHIP
"If you love Me, keep My commandments.
--John 14:15
"By this My Father is glorified, that you
bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. --John 15:8
THE STANDARD IS CHRIST' LOVE
"This is My commandment, that you love one
another as I have loved you. --John 15:12
LOVE IS SINCERE
Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what
is evil. Cling to what is good. --Romans 12:9
For the commandments, "You shall not commit
adultery," "You shall not murder," "You shall not steal," "You shall not
bear false witness," "You shall not covet," and if there is any other
commandment, are all summed up in this saying, namely, "You shall love your
neighbor as yourself." --Romans 13:9
LOVE ABOUNDS
If you really fulfill the royal law
according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you
do well; --James 2:8
And may the Lord make you increase and
abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, -- 1
Thessalonians 3:12
LOVE IS FERVENT
Since you have purified your souls in
obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love
one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of
corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and
abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as
the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but
the word of the LORD endures forever." Now this is the word which by the
gospel was preached to you. --1 Peter 1:22-25
Beloved, let us love one another, for love
is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. --1 John 4:7
UNCHANGEABLE
Now before the feast of the Passover, when
Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to
the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the
end. --John 13:1
DIVINE
"As the Father loved Me, I also have loved
you; abide in My love. --John 15:9
SELF-SACRIFICING
"Greater love has no one than this, than to
lay down one's life for his friends. --John 15:13
I speak not by commandment, but I am testing
the sincerity of your love by the diligence of others. For you know the
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes
He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich. --2
Corinthians 8:8-9
INSEPARABLE
Who shall separate us from the love of
Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or
nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: "For Your sake we are
killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter." Yet in
all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For
I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities
nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth,
nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of
God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. -- Romans 8:35-39
CONSTRAINING
For the love of Christ constrains us,
because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died
for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but
for Him who died for them and rose again. --
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
MANIFESTED THROUGH HIS DEATH
By this we know love, because He laid down
His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the
brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in
need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in
him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed
and in truth. -- 1 John 3:16-18
Through Obedience And The Holy Spirit
"If you love Me, keep My commandments. "And
I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may
abide with you forever, "even 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. --John 14:15-17
We Will Become A Home For The Father And The
Son
Jesus answered and said to him, "If anyone
loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will
come to him and make Our home with him. "He who does not love Me does not
keep My words; and the word which you hear is not Mine but the Father's who
sent Me. -- John 14:23-24
Our Love For God Will Be Tested
"for the Father Himself loves you, because
you have loved Me, and have believed that I came forth from God. --John
16:27
Grace be with all those who love our Lord
Jesus Christ in sincerity. Amen. --Ephesians 6:24
Hold fast the pattern of sound words which
you have heard from me, in faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. --2
Tim 1:13
In this you greatly rejoice, though now for
a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that
the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that
perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and
glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love.
Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy
inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith; the
salvation of your souls. --1 Peter 1:6-9
"The LORD did not set His love on you nor
choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you
were the least of all peoples; "but because the LORD loves you, and because
He would keep the oath which He swore to your fathers, the LORD has brought
you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from
the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt. -- Deuteronomy 7:7-8
The LORD opens the eyes of the blind; The
LORD raises those who are bowed down; The LORD loves the righteous. --
Psalms 146:8
The LORD has appeared of old to me, saying:
"Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with
lovingkindness I have drawn you. -- Jeremiah 31:3
"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. -- John 3:16
But God demonstrates His own love toward us,
in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. -- Romans 5:8
But God, who is rich in mercy, because of
His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses,
made us alive together with Christ by grace you have been saved, --
Ephesians 2:4-5
"You shall love the LORD your God with all
your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. -- Deuteronomy 6:5
"And now, Israel, what does the LORD your
God require of you, but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways
and to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all
your soul, -- Deuteronomy 10:12
"Therefore you shall love the LORD your God,
and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments
always. -- Deuteronomy 11:1
"But take diligent heed to do the
commandment and the law which Moses the servant of the LORD commanded you,
to love the LORD your God, to walk in all His ways, to keep His
commandments, to hold fast to Him, and to serve Him with all your heart and
with all your soul." -- Joshua 22:5
Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For
the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. --
Psalms 31:23
Jesus said to him, " 'You shall love the
LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.' -- Matthew 22:37
Now may the Lord direct your hearts into the
love of God and into the patience of Christ. -- 2 Thessalonians 3:5
And now abide faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love. -- 1 Corinthians 13:13
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor
uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. - Gal 5:6
The Fruit Of God's Love
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness,
self-control. Against such there is no law. -- Galatians 5:22-23
For this reason I bow my knees to the Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is
named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be
strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may
dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in
love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and
length and depth and height; to know the love of Christ which passes
knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. --
Ephesians 3:14-19
Therefore be followers of God as dear
children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself
for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. --
Ephesians 5:1-2
But above all these things put on love,
which is the bond of perfection. -- Colossians 3:14
But you, O man of God, flee these things and
pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. -- 1
Tim 6:11
And we have known and believed the love that
God has for us. God is love, and he who abides in love abides in God, and
God in him. -- 1 John 4:11
'You shall not hate your brother in your
heart. You shall surely rebuke your neighbor, and not bear sin because of
him. -- Leviticus 19:17
Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all
sins. -- Pr 10:12
Better is a dinner of herbs where love is,
than a fatted calf with hatred. -- Proverbs 15:17
He who says he is in the light, and hates
his brother, is in darkness until now. -- 1 Jn 2:9
Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and
you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. -- 1 John 3:15
If someone says, "I love God," and hates his
brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has
seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? -- 1 John 4:20
The end of a thing is better than its
beginning, and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit.
-- Ecclesiastes 7:8
"In your patience possess your souls. --
Luke 21:19
Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in
diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, patient
in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; distributing to the needs
of the saints, given to hospitality. -- Romans 12:10-13
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who
are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is
good both for yourselves and for all. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing,
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for
you. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:14-18
And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel
but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, in humility correcting those
who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that
they may know the truth, and that they may come to their senses and escape
the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will. --
2 Timothy 2:24-26
But as for you, speak the things which are
proper for sound doctrine: that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate,
sound in faith, in love, in patience; the older women likewise, that they be
reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of
good things; that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to
love their children, to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to
their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed. -- Titus
2:1-5
For you have need of endurance, so that
after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise: "For yet
a little while, And He who is coming will come and will not tarry. Now the
just shall live by faith; but if anyone draws back, my soul has no pleasure
in him." -- Hebrews 10:36-38
Be kindly affectionate to one another with
brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; -- Romans 12:10
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not
envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; -- 1 Corinthians 13:4
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgive you. - Eph 4:32
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you
also must do. - Col 3:12-13
But also for this very reason, giving all
diligence, add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge, to knowledge
self-control, to self-control perseverance, to perseverance godliness, to
godliness brotherly kindness, and to brotherly kindness love. - 2 Peter
1:5-7
"Give to him who asks you, and from him who
wants to borrow from you do not turn away. -- Matthew 5:42
He answered and said to them, "He who has
two tunics, let him give to him who has none; and he who has food, let him
do likewise." -- Luke 3:11
And when they had come to him, he said to
them: "You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I
always lived among you, "serving the Lord with all humility, with many
tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; "and how
I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught
you publicly and from house to house, "testifying to Jews, and also to
Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. --
Acts 20:18-21
...distributing to the needs of the saints,
given to hospitality. -- Romans 12:13
Let them do good, that they be rich in good
works, ready to give, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good
foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life. --
1 Timothy 6:18-19
But do not forget to do good and to share,
for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. -- Hebrews 13:16
"If you see the donkey of one who hates you
lying under its burden, and you would refrain from helping it, you shall
surely help him with it. -- Exodus 23:5
If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to
eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; -- Proverbs 25:21
"But I say to you, love your enemies, bless
those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who
spitefully use you and persecute you, "that you may be sons of your Father
in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends
rain on the just and on the unjust. -- Matthew 5:44-45
"But I say to you who hear: Love your
enemies, do good to those who hate you, "bless those who curse you, and pray
for those who spitefully use you. "To him who strikes you on the one cheek,
offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not
withhold your tunic either. "Give to everyone who asks of you. And from him
who takes away your goods do not ask them back. "And just as you want men
to do to you, you also do to them likewise. "But if you love those who love
you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them.
"And if you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you?
For even sinners do the same. "And if you lend to those from whom you hope
to receive back, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lend to
sinners to receive as much back. "But love your enemies, do good, and lend,
hoping for nothing in return; and your reward will be great, and you will be
sons of the Highest. For He is kind to the unthankful and evil. "Therefore
be merciful, just as your Father also is merciful. "Judge not, and you
shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive,
and you will be forgiven. "Give, and it will be given to you: good measure,
pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.
For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you." --
Luke 6:27-38
"Therefore if your enemy hungers, feed him;
if he thirsts, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap coals of fire
on his head." -- Romans 12:20
See that no one renders evil for evil to
anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. --
1 Thessalonians 5:15
'Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My
voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above
all people; for all the earth is Mine. 'And you shall be to Me a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation.' These are the words which you shall speak to the
children of Israel." -- Exodus 19:5-6
But the mercy of the LORD is from
everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, And His righteousness to
children's children, To such as keep His covenant, And to those who remember
His commandments to do them. -- Psalms 103:18-19
If your sons will keep My covenant And My
testimony which I shall teach them, Their sons also shall sit upon your
throne forevermore." -- Psalms 132:12
For thus says the LORD: "To the eunuchs who
keep My Sabbaths, and choose what pleases Me, and hold fast My covenant,
even to them I will give in My house and within My walls a place and a name
better than that of sons and daughters; I will give them an everlasting name
that shall not be cut off. "Also the sons of the foreigner who join
themselves to the LORD, to serve Him, and to love the name of the LORD, to
be His servants; everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds
fast My covenant; even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them
joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices
will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer
for all nations." The Lord GOD, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says,
"Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him." --
Isaiah 56:4-8
Oh, love the LORD, all you His saints! For
the LORD preserves the faithful, And fully repays the proud person. --
Psalms 31:23
My eyes shall be on the faithful of the
land, That they may dwell with me; He who walks in a perfect way, He shall
serve me. -- Psalms 101:6
A talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is
of a faithful spirit conceals a matter. - Pr 11:13
A faithful witness does not lie, but a false
witness will utter lies. -- Proverbs 14:5
Most men will proclaim each his own
goodness, but who can find a faithful man? -- Proverbs 20:6
A faithful man will abound with blessings,
but he who hastens to be rich will not go unpunished. -- Proverbs 28:20
"He who is faithful in what is least is
faithful also in much; and he who is unjust in what is least is unjust also
in much. "Therefore if you have not been faithful in the unrighteous
mammon, who will commit to your trust the true riches? "And if you have not
been faithful in what is another man's, who will give you what is your own?
--Luke 16:10-12
God is faithful, by whom you were called
into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our
Lord. -- 1 Co 1:9
Moreover it is required in stewards that one
be found faithful. -- 1 Corinthians 4:2
No temptation has overtaken you except such
as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be
tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the
way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. -- 1 Corinthians 10:13
Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify
you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved
blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. He who calls you is
faithful, who also will do it. -- 1 Thessalonians 5:23-24
But the Lord is faithful, who will establish
you and guard you from the evil one. -- 2 Thessalonians 3:3
This is a faithful saying and worthy of all
acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I
am chief. However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus
Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to
believe on Him for everlasting life. Now to the King eternal, immortal,
invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever.
Amen. -- 1 Timothy 1:15-17
This is a faithful saying: For if we died
with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign
with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He
remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself. Remind them of these things,
charging them before the Lord not to strive about words to no profit, to the
ruin of the hearers. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a
worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
But shun profane and vain babblings, for they will increase to more
ungodliness. -- 2 Ti 2:11-16
This is a faithful saying, and these things
I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should
be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to
men. -- Titus 3:8
Therefore, in all things He had to be made
like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in
things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.
-- Hebrews 2:17
Let us hold fast the confession of our hope
without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. -- Hebrews 10:23
Therefore let those who suffer according to
the will of God commit their souls to Him in
doing good, as to a faithful Creator. -- 1
Peter 4:19
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and
just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. - 1
John 1:9
John, to the seven churches which are in
Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come,
and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ,
the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the
kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His
own blood, and has made us kings and priests to His God and Father, to Him
be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen. -- Revelation 1:4-6
And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our
debtors. -- Matthew 6:12
"For if you forgive men their trespasses,
your heavenly Father will also forgive you. -- Matthew 6:14
"But if you do not forgive men their
trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. -- Matthew
6:15
"And whenever you stand praying, if you have
anything against anyone, forgive him, that your Father in heaven may also
forgive you your trespasses. -- Mark 11:25
So He said to them, "When you pray, say: Our
Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be
done On earth as it is in heaven. Give us day by day our daily bread. and
forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And
do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." - Luke
11:2-4
"Take heed to yourselves. If your brother
sins against you, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. "And if he
sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times in a day returns to
you, saying, 'I repent,' you shall forgive him." -- Luke 17:3-4
And be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
forgiving one another, just as God in Christ also forgave you. --
Ephesians 4:32
Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and
beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness,
longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if
anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you
also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of
perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you
were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in
you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and
hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus,
giving thanks to God the Father through Him. -- Colossians 3:11-17
"Judge not, that you be not judged. "For
with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the same measure
you use, it will be measured back to you. "And why do you look at the speck
in your brother's eye, but do not consider the plank in your own eye? "Or
how can you say to your brother, 'Let me remove the speck out of your eye';
and look, a plank is in your own eye? "Hypocrite! First remove the plank
from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck out of
your brother's eye. -- Mat 7:1-5
We then who are strong ought to bear with
the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us
please his neighbor for his good, leading to edification. For even Christ
did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who
reproached You fell on Me." For whatever things were written before were
written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope. Now may the God of patience and comfort grant
you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, that
you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord
Jesus Christ. -- Romans 15:1-6
Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any
trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of
gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. Bear one
another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks
himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. But let
each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself
alone, and not in another. For each one shall bear his own load. Let him
who is taught the word share in all good things with him who teaches. Do
not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will
also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption,
but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And
let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if
we do not lose heart. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to
all, especially to those who are of the household of faith. -- Gal.
6:1-10
And above all things have fervent love for
one another, for "love will cover a multitude of sins." Be hospitable to
one another without grumbling. As each one has received a gift, minister it
to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone
speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do
it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be
glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion
forever and ever. Amen. -- 1 Peter 4:8-11
Then the men who were designated by name
rose up and took the captives, and from the spoil they clothed all who were
naked among them, dressed them and gave them sandals, gave them food and
drink, and anointed them; and they let all the feeble ones ride on donkeys.
So they brought them to their brethren at Jericho, the city of palm trees.
Then they returned to Samaria. -- 2 Chronicles 28:15
"When I went out to the gate by the city,
when I took my seat in the open square, the young men saw me and hid, and
the aged arose and stood; the princes refrained from talking, and put their
hand on their mouth; the voice of nobles was hushed and their tongue stuck
to the roof of their mouth. When the ear heard, then it blessed me, and
when the eye saw, then it approved me; because I delivered the poor who
cried out, and the fatherless and he who had no helper. The blessing of a
perishing man came upon me, and I caused the widow's heart to sing for joy.
I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a
turban. I was eyes to the blind, and I was feet to the lame. I was a
father to the poor, and I searched out the case that I did not know. I
broke the fangs of the wicked, and plucked the victim from his teeth.-Job
29:7-17
She extends her hand to the poor, yes, she
reaches out her hands to the needy. -- Proverbs 31:20
"The Lord GOD has given Me the tongue of the
learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is
weary. He awakens Me morning by morning, he awakens My ear to hear as the
learned. -- Isaiah 50:4
"Then the King will say to those on His
right hand, 'Come, you blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared
for you from the foundation of the world: 'for I was hungry and you gave Me
food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me
in; 'I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was
in prison and you came to Me.' "Then the righteous will answer Him, saying,
'Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You
drink? 'When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or naked and clothe
You? 'Or when did we see You sick, or in prison, and come to You?' "And
the King will answer and say to them, 'Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as
you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.' --
Matthew 25:34-40
"But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed,
came where he was. And when he saw him, he
had compassion on him, "and went to him and
bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine; and he set him on his own
animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. -- Luke 10:33-34
Yes, we had the sentence of death in
ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves but in God who raises the
dead, who delivered us from so great a death, and does deliver us; in whom
we trust that He will still deliver us, you also helping together in prayer
for us, that thanks may be given by many persons on our behalf for the gift
granted to us through many. -- 2 Corinthians 1:9-11
Therefore, my beloved and longed-for
brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, beloved. I implore
Euodia and I implore Syntyche to be of the same mind in the Lord. And I
urge you also, true companion, help these women who labored with me in the
gospel, with Clement also, and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names
are in the Book of Life. Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say,
rejoice! Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Lord is at hand. Be
anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with
thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God,
which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through
Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things
are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever
things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any
virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy; meditate on these things. The
things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and
the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that
now at last your care for me has flourished again; though you surely did
care, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak in regard to need, for I
have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased,
and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both
to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do
all things through Christ who strengthens me. Nevertheless you have done
well that you shared in my distress. Now you Philippians know also that in
the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church
shared with me concerning giving and receiving but you only. For even in
Thessalonica you sent aid once and again for my necessities. Not that I
seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. Indeed I
have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things
which were sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice,
well pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to
His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be glory
forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who
are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, but especially those who
are of Caesar's household. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you
all. Amen. -- Phil 4:1-23
And behold, a certain lawyer stood up and
tested Him, saying, "Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?" He
said to him, "What is written in the law? What is your reading of it?" So
he answered and said, " 'You shall love the LORD your God with all your
heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,'
and 'your neighbor as yourself.' " And He said to him, "You have answered
rightly; do this and you will live." But he, wanting to justify himself,
said to Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" Then Jesus answered and said: "A
certain man went down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell among thieves, who
stripped him of his clothing, wounded him, and departed, leaving him half
dead. "Now by chance a certain priest came down that road. And when he saw
him, he passed by on the other side. "Likewise a Levite, when he arrived at
the place, came and looked, and passed by on the other side. "But a certain
Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was. And when he saw him, he had
compassion on him, "and went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil
and wine; and he set him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took
care of him. "On the next day, when he departed, he took out two denarii,
gave them to the innkeeper, and said to him, 'Take care of him; and whatever
more you spend, when I come again, I will repay you.' "So which of these
three do you think was neighbor to him who fell among the thieves?" And he
said, "He who showed mercy on him." Then Jesus said to him, "Go and do
likewise." -- Luke 10:25-37
But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying
and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them.
Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison
were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains
were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing
the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and
was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, "Do
yourself no harm, for we are all here." Then he called for a light, ran in,
and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and
said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the
Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then
they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And
immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he had brought
them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having
believed in God with all his household. And when it was day, the
magistrates sent the officers, saying, "Let those men go." So the keeper of
the prison reported these words to Paul, saying, "The magistrates have sent
to let you go. Now therefore depart, and go in peace." -- Acts 16:25-36
Now when they had escaped, they then found
out that the island was called Malta. And the natives showed us unusual
kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the
rain that was falling and because of the cold. But when Paul had gathered a
bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the
heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature
hanging from his hand, they said to one another, "No doubt this man is a
murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to
live." But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down
dead; but after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him,
they changed their minds and said that he was a god. Now in that region
there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was
Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. And
it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery.
Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed
him. So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had
diseases also came and were healed. They also honored us in many ways; and
when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary. -- Acts
28:1-10
For whatever things were written before were
written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the
Scriptures might have hope. -- Romans 15:4
And now abide faith, hope, love, these
three; but the greatest of these is love. -- 1 Corinthians 13:13
And you, who once were alienated and enemies
in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His
flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and irreproachable
in His sight; if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast,
and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which
was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a
minister. -- Colossians 1:21-23
Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, and
our God and Father, who has loved us and given us everlasting consolation
and good hope by grace, comfort your hearts and establish you in every good
word and work. -- 2 Thessalonians 2:16-17
Love Relieves The Fear Of Death Bringing
Eternal Hope
The wicked is banished in his wickedness,
but the righteous has a refuge in his death. -- Proverbs 14:32
Brings Us Hope Of The Resurrection
"But this I confess to you, that according
to the Way which they call a sect, so I worship the God of my fathers,
believing all things which are written in the Law and in the Prophets. "I
have hope in God, which they themselves also accept, that there will be a
resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust. "This being so,
I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and
men. -- Acts 24:14-16
For A Future Heavenly Treasure
We give thanks to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,
since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus
and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up
for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the
gospel, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is
bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and
knew the grace of God in truth; -- Colossians 1:3-6
Anticipates The Return Of Our Savior
For the grace of God that brings salvation
has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly
lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from
every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous
for good works. -- Titus 2:11-14
An Anchor To Our Soul
For men indeed swear by the greater, and an
oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. Thus God,
determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability
of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in
which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who
have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we
have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the
Presence behind the veil, where the forerunner has entered for us, even
Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of
Melchizedek. -- Hebrews 6:16-20
Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has
begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ
from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does
not fade away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God
through faith for salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. In this
you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have
been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being
much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may
be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom
having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you
rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your
faith; the salvation of your souls. -- 1 Peter 1:3-9
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