And why not? Because it was not by faith [that they pursued it], but as though it were by works [relying on the merit of their works instead of their faith]. They stumbled over the stumbling Stone [Jesus Christ]. 33 As it is written and forever remains written,
View MoreSo then you are no longer strangers and aliens [outsiders without rights of citizenship], but you are fellow citizens with the saints (God’s people), and are [members] of God’s household, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus Himself as the [chief] Cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole structure is joined together, and it continues [to increase] growing into a holy temple in the Lord [a sanctuary dedicated, set apart, and sacred to the presence of the Lord].
View MoreLet your character [your moral essence, your inner nature] be free from the love of money [shun greed—be financially ethical], being content with what you have; for He has said, “I will never [under any circumstances] desert you [nor give you up nor leave you without support, nor will I in any degree leave you helpless], nor will I forsake or let you down or relax My hold on you [assuredly not]!”
View MoreBut I have received everything in full and more; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus the gifts you sent me. They are the fragrant aroma of an offering, an acceptable sacrifice which God welcomes and in which He delights.
View MoreBlessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired) and holy is the person who takes part in the first resurrection; over these the second death [which is eternal separation from God, the lake of fire] has no power or authority, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and they will reign with Him a thousand years.
View More“You have made them to be a kingdom [of royal subjects] and priests to our God; and they will reign on the earth.”
View MoreGrace [be granted] to you and peace [inner calm and spiritual well-being], from Him Who is [existing forever] and Who was [continually existing in the past] and Who is to come, and from [[d](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+1%3A4-6&version=AMP#fen-AMP-30703d)]the seven Spirits that are before His throne, 5 and from Jesus Christ, the [[e](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+1%3A4-6&version=AMP#fen-AMP-30704e)]faithful and trustworthy Witness, the [[f](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+1%3A4-6&version=AMP#fen-AMP-30704f)]Firstborn of the dead, and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who [always] loves us and who [has once for all] [[g](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+1%3A4-6&version=AMP#fen-AMP-30704g)]freed us [or washed us] from our sins by His own blood (His sacrificial death)— 6 and formed us into a kingdom [as His subjects], [[h](https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Rev+1%3A4-6&version=AMP#fen-AMP-30705h)]priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the power and the majesty and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
View More14 I hope to come to you before long, but I am writing these instructions to you 15 in case I am delayed, so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And great, we confess, is the mystery [the hidden truth] of godliness:
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