Saturday, August 22, 2015
Romans 7
Romans 7 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 7
Released From the Law, Bound to Christ
1 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
The Law and Sin
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."[b] 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature[d] a slave to the law of sin.
Romans 7
Released From the Law, Bound to Christ
1 Do you not know, brothers and sisters—for I am speaking to those who know the law—that the law has authority over someone only as long as that person lives? 2 For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law that binds her to him. 3 So then, if she has sexual relations with another man while her husband is still alive, she is called an adulteress. But if her husband dies, she is released from that law and is not an adulteress if she marries another man.
4 So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ, that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. 5 For when we were in the realm of the flesh,[a] the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. 6 But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.
The Law and Sin
7 What shall we say, then? Is the law sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "You shall not covet."[b] 8 But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of coveting. For apart from the law, sin was dead. 9 Once I was alive apart from the law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. 10 I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death. 11 For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. 12 So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! Nevertheless, in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it used what is good to bring about my death, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.
14 We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. 15 I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. 16 And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. 17 As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. 18 For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature.[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. 19 For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.
21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. 22 For in my inner being I delight in God's law; 23 but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. 24 What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? 25 Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in my sinful nature[d] a slave to the law of sin.
Revelation 7
Revelation 7 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 7
144,000 Sealed
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,'[a] nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
'he will lead them to springs of living water.'[b] 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'[c]"
Revelation 7
144,000 Sealed
1 After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth to prevent any wind from blowing on the land or on the sea or on any tree. 2 Then I saw another angel coming up from the east, having the seal of the living God. He called out in a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm the land and the sea: 3 "Do not harm the land or the sea or the trees until we put a seal on the foreheads of the servants of our God." 4 Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: 144,000 from all the tribes of Israel.
5 From the tribe of Judah 12,000 were sealed, from the tribe of Reuben 12,000, from the tribe of Gad 12,000,
6 from the tribe of Asher 12,000, from the tribe of Naphtali 12,000, from the tribe of Manasseh 12,000,
7 from the tribe of Simeon 12,000, from the tribe of Levi 12,000, from the tribe of Issachar 12,000,
8 from the tribe of Zebulun 12,000, from the tribe of Joseph 12,000, from the tribe of Benjamin 12,000.
The Great Multitude in White Robes
9 After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands. 10 And they cried out in a loud voice:
"Salvation belongs to our God,
who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb."
11 All the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures. They fell down on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying: "Amen!
Praise and glory
and wisdom and thanks and honor
and power and strength
be to our God for ever and ever.
Amen!"
13 Then one of the elders asked me, "These in white robes—who are they, and where did they come from?"
14 I answered, "Sir, you know." And he said, "These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. 15 Therefore, "they are before the throne of God and serve him day and night in his temple;
and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.
16 'Never again will they hunger; never again will they thirst.
The sun will not beat down on them,'[a] nor any scorching heat.
17 For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd;
'he will lead them to springs of living water.'[b] 'And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.'[c]"
Friday, August 21, 2015
Aug 21: Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah | Operation World
Aug 21: Malaysia, Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah | Operation World
Click on the link to get more information.
Click on the link to get more information.
Chronological New Testament Study Day 77
Ephesians 1; Ephesians
2; Ephesians 3; Ephesians 4; Ephesians 5; Ephesians 6
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, To
the saints in Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus: 2 Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 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. 11 In him we were also
chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out
everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in
order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of
his glory. 13 And you also were included in Christ when you
heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you
were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who
is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are
God's possession--to the praise of his glory. 15 For this
reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for
all the saints, 16 I have not stopped giving thanks for you,
remembering you in my prayers. 17 I keep asking that the God
of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of
wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. 18 I
pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may
know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious
inheritance in the saints,19 and his incomparably great power for
us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20 which
he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his
right hand in the heavenly realms, 21 far above all rule and
authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in
the present age but also in the one to come. 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.
1 As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and
sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways
of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now
at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived
among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and
following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of
wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is
rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were
dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved. 6 And
God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in
Christ Jesus, 7 in order that in the coming ages he might show
the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ
Jesus. 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. 11 Therefore, remember that formerly you
who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who
call themselves "the circumcision" (that done in the body by the
hands of men)-- 12 remember that at that time you were
separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the
covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world. 13 But
now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near through
the blood of Christ. 14 For he himself is our peace, who has
made the two one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of
hostility, 15 by abolishing in his flesh the law with its
commandments and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new man
out of the two, thus making peace, 16 and in this one body to
reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their
hostility. 17 He came and preached peace to you who were far
away and peace to those who were near. 18 For through him we
both have access to the Father by one Spirit. 19 Consequently,
you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people
and members of God's household, 20 built on the foundation of
the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief
cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together
and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him
you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his
Spirit.
1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for
the sake of you Gentiles-- 2 Surely you have heard about the
administration of God's grace that was given to me for you, 3 that
is, the mystery made known to me by revelation, as I have already written
briefly. 4 In reading this, then, you will be able to
understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, 5 which was
not made known to men in other generations as it has now been revealed by the
Spirit to God's holy apostles and prophets. 6 This mystery is
that through the gospel the Gentiles are heirs together with Israel, members
together of one body, and sharers together in the promise in Christ
Jesus. 7 I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of
God's grace given me through the working of his power. 8 Although
I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me: to
preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ,9 and to
make plain to everyone the administration of this mystery, which for ages past
was kept hidden in God, who created all things. 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, 11according
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. 13 I ask you, therefore, not to be discouraged
because of my sufferings for you, which are your glory. 14 For
this reason I kneel before the Father, 15 from whom his whole
family in heaven and on earth derives its name. 16 I pray that
out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit
in your inner being,17 so that Christ may dwell in your hearts
through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, 18 may
have power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and long and high
and deep is the love of Christ, 19 and to know this love that
surpasses knowledge--that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness
of God. 20 Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than
all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, 21 to
him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for
ever and ever! Amen.
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. 8 This
is why it says: "When he ascended on high, he led captives in his train
and gave gifts to men." 9 (What does "he
ascended" mean except that he also descended to the lower, earthly regions
? 10 He who descended is the very one who ascended higher than
all the heavens, in order to fill the whole universe.) 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. 17 So
I tell you this, and insist on it in the Lord, that you must no longer live as
the Gentiles do, in the futility of their thinking. 18 They
are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because
of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. 19 Having
lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to
indulge in every kind of impurity, with a continual lust for more. 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. 28 He
who has been stealing must steal no longer, but must work, doing something
useful with his own hands, that he may have something to share with those in
need. 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.
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. 3 But
among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of
impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. 4 Nor
should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of
place, but rather thanksgiving. 5 For of this you can be sure:
No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any
inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 Let no one
deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on
those who are disobedient. 7 Therefore do not be partners with
them. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in
the Lord. Live as children of light 9 (for the fruit of the
light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth) 10 and
find out what pleases the Lord. 11 Have nothing to do with the
fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 For it
is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But
everything exposed by the light becomes visible, 14 for it is
light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O
sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you." 15 Be
very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise, 16 making
the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore
do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is. 18 Do
not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the
Spirit. 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. 21 Submit to one another out of reverence for
Christ. 22 Wives, submit to your husbands as to the
Lord. 23 For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is
the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior. 24 Now
as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands
in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ
loved the church and gave himself up for her 26 to make her
holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, 27 and
to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any
other blemish, but holy and blameless. 28 In this same way,
husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife
loves himself. 29 After all, no one ever hated his own body,
but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-- 30 for
we are members of his body. 31"For this reason a man will
leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become
one flesh." 32 This is a profound mystery--but I am
talking about Christ and the church. 33However, each one of you
also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her
husband.
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." 4 Fathers,
do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and
instruction of the Lord. 5 Slaves, obey your earthly masters
with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey
Christ. 6 Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye
is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your
heart. 7 Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the
Lord, not men, 8 because you know that the Lord will reward
everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free. 9 And
masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you
know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no
favoritism with him. 10 Finally, be strong in the Lord and in
his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God so that you
can take your stand against the devil's schemes. 12 For our
struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the
authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual
forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the
full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand
your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand
firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the
breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet
fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In
addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can
extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the
helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of
God. 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. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I open
my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the
mystery of the gospel,20 for which I am an ambassador in chains.
Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. 21Tychicus, the
dear brother and faithful servant in the Lord, will tell you everything, so
that you also may know how I am and what I am doing. 22 I am
sending him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are, and
that he may encourage you. 23 Peace to the brothers, and love
with faith from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 24 Grace
to all who love our Lord Jesus Christ with an undying love.
Romans 6
Romans 6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have 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 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free 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 any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one 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 have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves 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 of 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[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 6
Dead to Sin, Alive in Christ
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have 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 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free 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 any part of yourself to sin as an instrument of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer every part of yourself to him as an instrument of righteousness. 14 For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.
Slaves to Righteousness
15 What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means! 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one 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 have come to obey from your heart the pattern of teaching that has now claimed your allegiance. 18 You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
19 I am using an example from everyday life because of your human limitations. Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves 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 of 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[b] Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 6
Revelation 6 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 6
The Seals
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "Two pounds[a] of wheat for a day's wages,[b] and six pounds[c] of barley for a day's wages,[d] and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[e] were killed just as they had been.
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their[g] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?"
Revelation 6
The Seals
1 I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, "Come!" 2 I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.
3 When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4 Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.
5 When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6 Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "Two pounds[a] of wheat for a day's wages,[b] and six pounds[c] of barley for a day's wages,[d] and do not damage the oil and the wine!"
7 When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8 I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.
9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10 They called out in a loud voice, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" 11 Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,[e] were killed just as they had been.
12 I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red, 13 and the stars in the sky fell to earth, as figs drop from a fig tree when shaken by a strong wind. 14 The heavens receded like a scroll being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth, the princes, the generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else, both slave and free, hid in caves and among the rocks of the mountains. 16 They called to the mountains and the rocks, "Fall on us and hide us[f] from the face of him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! 17 For the great day of their[g] wrath has come, and who can withstand it?"
Thursday, August 20, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 76
Colossians 1;
Colossians 2; Colossians 3; Colossians 4; Philemon 1
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and
Timothy our brother, 2 To the holy and faithful brothers in
Christ at Colosse: Grace and peace to you from God our Father. 3 We
always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for
you, 4 because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and
of the love you have for all the saints-- 5 the faith and love
that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have
already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel 6 that
has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing,
just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood
God's grace in all its truth. 7 You learned it from Epaphras,
our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on our
behalf, 8and who also told us of your love in the Spirit. 9 For
this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for
you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all
spiritual wisdom and understanding. 10 And we pray this in
order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every
way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11 being
strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may
have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12 giving
thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the
saints in the kingdom of light. 13 For he has rescued us from
the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he
loves, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of
sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn
over all creation. 16 For by him all things were created:
things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers
or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him. 17 He
is before all things, and in him all things hold together. 18 And
he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn
from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. 19 For
God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, 20 and
through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or
things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross. 21 Once
you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil
behavior. 22 But now he has reconciled you by Christ's
physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish
and free from accusation-- 23 if you continue in your faith,
established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is
the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under
heaven, and of which I, Paul, have become a servant. 24 Now I
rejoice in what was suffered for you, and I fill up in my flesh what is still
lacking in regard to Christ's afflictions, for the sake of his body, which is
the church. 25 I have become its servant by the commission God
gave me to present to you the word of God in its fullness-- 26 the
mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now
disclosed to the saints. 27 To them God has chosen to make
known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ
in you, the hope of glory. 28 We proclaim him, admonishing and
teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in
Christ. 29 To this end I labor, struggling with all his
energy, which so powerfully works in me.
1 I want you to know how much I am struggling for you and
for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally. 2 My
purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that
they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may
know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden
all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 4 I tell you this
so that no one may deceive you by fine-sounding arguments. 5 For
though I am absent from you in body, I am present with you in spirit and
delight to see how orderly you are and how firm your faith in Christ is. 6 So
then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted
and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and
overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes
you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human
tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. 9 For
in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10 and
you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and
authority. 11 In him you were also circumcised, in the putting
off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but
with the circumcision done by Christ, 12 having been buried
with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God,
who raised him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your
sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with
Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the
written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed
to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having
disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them,
triumphing over them by the cross. 16 Therefore do not let
anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious
festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. 17 These
are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in
Christ. 18 Do not let anyone who delights in false humility
and the worship of angels disqualify you for the prize. Such a person goes into
great detail about what he has seen, and his unspiritual mind puffs him up with
idle notions.19 He has lost connection with the Head, from whom the
whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as
God causes it to grow. 20 Since you died with Christ to the
basic principles of this world, why, as though you still belonged to it, do you
submit to its rules: 21 "Do not handle! Do not taste! Do
not touch!"? 22 These are all destined to perish with
use, because they are based on human commands and teachings. 23 Such
regulations indeed have an appearance of wisdom, with their self-imposed
worship, their false humility and their harsh treatment of the body, but they
lack any value in restraining sensual indulgence.
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 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. 18Wives, 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.
1 Masters, provide your slaves with what is right and fair,
because you know that you also have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote
yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray
for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim
the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. 4 Pray that I
may proclaim it clearly, as I should. 5 Be wise in the way you
act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let
your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may
know how to answer everyone. 7 Tychicus will tell you all the
news about me. He is a dear brother, a faithful minister and fellow servant in
the Lord. 8 I am sending him to you for the express purpose
that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your
hearts. 9 He is coming with Onesimus, our faithful and dear
brother, who is one of you. They will tell you everything that is happening
here. 10 My fellow prisoner Aristarchus sends you his
greetings, as does Mark, the cousin of Barnabas. (You have received
instructions about him; if he comes to you, welcome him.) 11 Jesus,
who is called Justus, also sends greetings. These are the only Jews among my
fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have proved a comfort to
me. 12Epaphras, who is one of you and a servant of Christ Jesus,
sends greetings. He is always wrestling in prayer for you, that you may stand
firm in all the will of God, mature and fully assured. 13 I
vouch for him that he is working hard for you and for those at Laodicea and
Hierapolis. 14 Our dear friend Luke, the doctor, and Demas
send greetings. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at
Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 After
this letter has been read to you, see that it is also read in the church of the
Laodiceans and that you in turn read the letter from Laodicea. 17 Tell
Archippus: "See to it that you complete the work you have received in the
Lord." 18 I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand.
Remember my chains. Grace be with you.
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,
To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker, 2 to Apphia our
sister, to Archippus our fellow soldier and to the church that meets in your
home: 3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the
Lord Jesus Christ. 4 I always thank my God as I remember you
in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your faith in the Lord
Jesus and your love for all the saints. 6 I pray that you may
be active in sharing your faith, so that you will have a full understanding of
every good thing we have in Christ. 7 Your love has given me
great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of
the saints. 8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold
and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I appeal to
you on the basis of love. I then, as Paul--an old man and now also a prisoner
of Christ Jesus-- 10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who
became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was
useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me. 12 I
am sending him--who is my very heart--back to you.13 I would have
liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while
I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do
anything without your consent, so that any favor you do will be spontaneous and
not forced. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you
for a little while was that you might have him back for good-- 16 no
longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear
to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.17 So
if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If
he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I,
Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back--not to mention that
you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may
have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident
of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I
ask. 22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me,
because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers. 23 Epaphras,
my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings. 24 And
so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers. 25 The
grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.
Romans 5
Romans 5 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 5
Peace and Hope
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we[b] boast in the hope of the glory of God. 3 Not only so, but we[c] also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; 4 perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
6 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7 Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. 8 But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him! 10 For if, while we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! 11 Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.
Death Through Adam, Life Through Christ
12 Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all people, because all sinned—
13 To be sure, sin was in the world before the law was given, but sin is not charged against anyone's account where there is no law. 14 Nevertheless, death reigned from the time of Adam to the time of Moses, even over those who did not sin by breaking a command, as did Adam, who is a pattern of the one to come.
15 But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God's grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many! 16 Nor can the gift of God be compared with the result of one man's sin: The judgment followed one sin and brought condemnation, but the gift followed many trespasses and brought justification. 17 For if, by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one man, Jesus Christ!
18 Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. 19 For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous.
20 The law was brought in so that the trespass might increase. But where sin increased, grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
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