God is the Owner and We are His Managers!

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” -  Matthew 25:23 NIV

We should not take in charge of many things right away, if we cannot even be faithful with a few things. Of course, this makes sense in every situation, whether in ministries or with worldly materials. However, we should use worldly materials, for the glory (1 Corinthians 10:31) and the kingdom of God since the word of God states: “The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him.” (Psalm 24:1)  This means that we are His managers, so we must not use them for our worldly passions, for the word of God states:

Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

Like Matthew 6:20 states, we should store heavenly treasures up, while we are on the earth, We can do this by serving one another, for Jesus says, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” (Acts 20:35)

Therefore, since Matthew 6:33 NLT and Philippians 4:19 NIV state: “Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus,” let’s set our hearts and minds on the kingdom of heaven to be the managers of God in everything that He has given us, for our citizenship is in heaven! (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

The Fountain of Life!

“You are the fountain of life, the light by which we see.” – Psalm 36:9 NLT

Because of Jesus Christ, we have life which does not end. We can see this in Romans 6:23: “…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” However, most of people, especially non-Christians get confuse with “about” and “in” when Jesus Christ is in the topic. This is because they think that those two have same meaning, but they do not. If they are same, then why does the word of God states:

Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.”

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’ (John 3:3-7)?

Thus, in order to have eternal life, we have to be born again by the Spirit to do the will of God. (John 14:15-17,26; Matthew 7:21) This is why water baptism is necessary, for the word of God states:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Second of all, we need to know that all of us are in the darkness. However, if we are followers of Jesus Christ, then we know that we will have the light of life, which is heaven – ‘When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." ’ (John 8:12) This means that we have to be the light of the world as well, for “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one” (1 John 5:19), and since all of us are members of one body which is the Christ’s (Romans 12:4-5) Because of this, Jesus gave us this great commission to do:

                                                                                                                                           

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you... (Matthew 28:18-20)

"You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. For you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God." (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20

For the Gracious Salvation in Christ Jesus!

“Therefore keep watch, because you do not know on what day your Lord will come. But understand this: If the owner of the house had known at what time of night the thief was coming, he would have kept watch and would not have let his house be broken into. So you also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour when you do not expect him.” – Matthew 24:42-44 NIV

Like these verses state, we should keep watch ourselves and must be ready spiritually for the gracious salvation that will come to us at the end of age, when Jesus Christ will be revealed. Hence, we have to be holy in everything that we do even though it is hard, for we are God’s children (1 John 3:1) and our actual citizenship is in heaven. (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world. So you must live as God’s obedient children. Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires. You didn’t know any better then. But now you must be holy in everything you do, just as God who chose you is holy. For the Scriptures say, “You must be holy because I am holy.” (1 Peter 1:13-16)

Then he [Jesus] called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.” (Mark 8:34-38)

Since Mark 8:35 includes that we have to lose our life for the Gospel as well, let’s keep firm to it while we are living our lives according to the Spirit and the will of God. (John 14:15-17,26) This is because the Gospel is the word of God (2 Timothy 3:16), which is “alive and active” (Hebrews 4:12) and the righteousness of God is shown through it. (Romans 1:17)

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him. (Philippians 1:27-29)

However, we need to have godly desires, instead of worldly desires as well to endure our life as followers of Jesus Christ, for “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) This is because if we don’t have any godly desires, then it becomes legalistic and eventually we will give up.

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. (Titus 2:11-14)

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. (2 Peter 1:3-9)

Therefore, let’s REALLY abide in the Spirit and the word of God with having godly desires within our hearts and minds, as we wait for the gracious salvation to be revealed with Jesus Christ. This is why Jesus has said: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment.’ (Matthew 22:37-38)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Worthy of the calling from God in Christ Jesus!

“As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.” – Ephesians 4:1-6 NIV

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should “live a life worthy of the calling you [we] have received” from God, even though it is hard as Jesus warns us in Matthew 16: 24-27:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Like Matthew 16:24-27 states, we must deny ourselves while we are in this world. This is because we are sinners, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) However, “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) This means that we do not belong to this world, for our actual citizenship is in heaven which is the kingdom of God (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1). God gave us this as His gift by coming down into the world as Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15) to crucify Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins, due to His steadfast love (1 John 4:9-10). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Therefore, let’s live our lives as a living sacrifice that is holy and pleasing to God who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) and Creator (Genesis 1:27):

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

Yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are all things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things and through whom we exist. We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (1 Corinthians 8:6, Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

However, we must “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love” while we are living our lives according to the Spirit and the will of God, for we are His chosen ones and God is love!

Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. (Colossians 3:12-15)

Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. (1 John 4:7-12)

The Rebirth and the Renewal of the Holy Spirit!

‘The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace. The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so. Those who are in the realm of the flesh cannot please God.

You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good. Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.’ – Romans 8:6-9, Titus 2:12-14, Romans 12:1-2 NIV

Because of we are sinners, we know the result of this is death, since the word of God states in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death…” – “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.” (Romans 5:12) However, God who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) as well as our Creator (Genesis 1:27) gave us amazing gift, which is eternal life by coming down into the world as Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:15) to crucify Himself on the Cross as our atonement of our sins: “… But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

In order to have eternal life in Christ Jesus: First, we ought to be born again, not by mother’s womb, but by the Spirit:

“How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!”

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:4-6)

For that reason, we have to be water-baptized to be fully devoted-follower of Jesus:

We were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (Romans 6:4, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Second, we should transform our minds from the flesh into the Spirit, since the word of God states: “The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:2)

Even though, we have had rebirth by the Spirit and been transformed our minds into the Spirit, the enemy of God is going to tempt us by worldly materials or even sufferings. Hence, we have to wear the armor of God at all times while we are overcoming the world, for “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) – “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 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. 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. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. (Ephesians 6:10-17)

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? (1 John 5:1-5)

Overall, we should live godly lives, while we are in the world even though it is hard, for the glory of God. This is because our actual citizenship is in heaven, so we have our living hope while we are on the earth!

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.” Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Matthew 16:24-27, Romans 12:1-2)

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your soul. (1 Peter 1:3-9)

Righteous Living in Christ Jesus!

“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God.” – John 3:20 NIV

Like this verse says, we should live by the truth with full-devotion, so that we may be seen plainly in the sight of God.. This is because the word of God states that Jesus is the way of the life and the truth (John 14:6). Therefore, we should consider of the righteous-living before the Lord by abiding in the Holy Spirit with the peace of God (John 14:15-17,26-27). There are two main reasons for this: First, He is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) and Creator (Genesis 1:27).

Yet for us there is but one God, the Father, from whom all things came and for whom we live; and there is but one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom all things came and through whom we live. (1 Corinthians 8:6)

Second, God came down into the world as Jesus Christ to crucify Himself on the cross as our atonement of our sins, due to His steadfast love (1 John 4:9-10). He did this to cut the spiritual evil rulers, authorities, and powers away (Colossians 2:13-15), so that we could be made right with God – “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

Even though, we are laid bare before our heavenly Father (Hebrews 4:13) and He is vast at understanding (Romans 11:33-36) with compassion, that He forgives us when we repent (Psalm 86:15; 1 John 1:9) – let’s truly repent before Him for going into the wide road rather than the narrow one, for “… the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2; Matthew 7:13-14). And let’s be the righteous children of God with full-devotion in the presence of the Lord by abiding to the Holy Spirit and the peace of God:

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

In other words, let’s all become the righteous children of God for the glory (Colossians 1:4) and the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21)!

As I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

The Godly Minds in Christ Jesus!

“Now, dear brothers and sisters… Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” – Philippians 4:8 NLT

Like what Philippians 4:8 states, we should fix our thoughts into positive mindset, because the mind controls everything, especially our movement. So if we are followers of Jesus Christ and know that we are fully-committed our lives to the Lord, then we should have godly and heavenly minds instead of worldly ones. This is because “...godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come (1 Timothy 4:8), and “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.  For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. (Colossians 3:1-4)

Colossians 3:4 states that we shall also appear in glory when Christ Jesus appears. This means that we have to leave everything away that is earthly at the end of age. Because of this, we should store heavenly treasures while we are on earth by serving others, for our actual citizenship is in heaven:

Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. (Matthew 6:19-21)

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ.  Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Therefore, we should overcome the world for we are the children of God (1 John 5-1-5), and fix our thoughts into godly and pure ones, just like what Colossians 3:1-2 and Philippians 4:8 have stated! However, the most important of all is that we should abide in the peace of God and Holy Spirit to do the will of God (John 14:15-17,26-27), for the glory (Colossians 3:4) and the kingdom of God (Matthew 7:21):

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever. (1 John 2:15-17)

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. (Romans 12:1-2)

For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, mutual affection; and to mutual affection, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But whoever does not have them is nearsighted and blind, forgetting that they have been cleansed from their past sins. (2 Peter 1:5-9)

For the Eternal Life in the Kingdom of God!

“Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.” – Galatians 6:1 NIV

As followers of Jesus Christ, we should restore any person who got caught in a sin. “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23) This means that God has made His promise to us that we will have eternal life in His kingdom, if we keep doing the will of God until the end of age (Matthew 7:21).For this reason, we should be ambassadors (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20) and followers of Jesus Christ even though it is hard (Matthew 16:24-27), as we can see His statement in Matthew 28:18-20:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.

Therefore, let’s mirror of Christ Jesus to reflect His image to everyone (Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18), for He is our Savior and Lord (1 Corinthians 8:6). “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.” (Hebrews 2:14-15)

For the Glory of God!

“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died. And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.” – 2 Corinthians 5:14-15 NIV

Like these verses say, we should no longer live ourselves, and start to live for God in Christ Jesus. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21) We should not quit living for Him, just because it is hard. In Matthew 16:24-27, Jesus warns us that following Him to be a true disciple of Jesus is going to be hard, but we will get rewarded from Him at the end of age:

Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.

Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few. (Matthew 7:13-14)

                                                                                                   

The reward that we are going to get from Him is eternal life with Him, since we are supposed to have this eternal life, for the word of God says that our original citizenship is in heaven. This is a free gift from God who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6) – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

As I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. (Philippians 3:20-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1)

Therefore, we definitely should crucify our human flesh with repentance before God, for “the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 3:2) Then we should live for the glory of God that will be revealed to us; as He is the way of the truth and the life (John 14:6):

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

The Peace of God!

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.” – Colossians 3:16 NIV

We should let the peace of Christ rule in our hearts. This is because by the peace, the Lord gives us strength and He blesses us (Psalm 29:11), for we are His children (1 John 3:1) – “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9)

If we do not have the peace of Christ in our lives, then we are constantly at war with everything else even within ourselves, for “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19) Also, obeying God becomes burden to us. However, He gave us the peace of God, which is DIFFERENT from the world’s. We know this, because we know that we have received the Holy Spirit from Him as our guidance/advocate/friend to help us to walk with God, who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6):

If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.  The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. (John 14:15-17,26-27)

Therefore, let’s THANK God for pouring down the Holy Spirit into us, and since Philippians 4:7 states: “The peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus,” let’s also FULLY overcome the world and devoted to Christ!

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him. By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God and obey his commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For everyone who has been born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God? Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 John 5:1-5, Romans 5:1)

“I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)

The Justice of God!

“DON’T be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.” – Galatians 6:7-8 NLT

First of all, we need to know two things: First is that we CANNOT mock the justice of God, since He knows everything – ‘“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! “Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?” “Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?” For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.’ (Romans 11:33-36)

Another thing that we should know is that desires/passions of the flesh are NOT same as desires/passions of the Spirit. This is because they are contrary to each other – “The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions” (Galatians 5:17)

Since Galatians 6:7-8 states that we will harvest what we plant: Those who live to satisfy their sinful nature go to the eternal destruction; those who live according to the Spirit go to eternal life, then we should live according to the Spirit (John 14:15-17,26,27) even though it is going to be difficult:

Whoever wants to be my disciple MUST deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16:24-27)

Therefore, we should “repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). Then we should renew our minds from the flesh to the Spirit to do the will of God (Matthew 7:21), our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6), just like what Romans 12:1-2 states:

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your TRUE and PROPER worship. Do NOT conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Worthy of the Calling of God!

“With this in mind, we constantly pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling, and that by his power he may bring to fruition your every desire for goodness and your every deed prompted by faith.”– 2 Thessalonians 1:11 NIV

How can we count ourselves worthy of God’s calling, that by His power He may fulfill every good purpose of ours and every act prompted by our faith (2 Thessalonians 1:11)? God’s calling comes from the Spirit of God as the Holy Spirit is our guidance/advisor/friend to help us in the walk with Him: “The Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.” (John 14:26)

But how do we listen the Holy Spirit, or how do we know, if it REALLY is the Holy Spirit? The Holy Spirit will automatically comes to you, if we seek the kingdom of God FIRSTLY as well as living righteously (Matthew 6:33), NOT according to our own selfishness, but according to Christ Jesus, our Lord:

I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules.” (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

This is because we are the temple of the Holy Spirit – “Don't you know that you yourselves are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in your midst?” (1 Corinthians 3:16)

This means that as a follower of Jesus, we have to act what Holy Spirit tells us to, in order to fulfill every act prompted by our faith according to the Spirit of God. This is because faith without action is dead:

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. (James 2:14-17)

But what if the action is going to be very difficult for us to handle, as same time as we have steadfastness faith in Christ Jesus according to the Spirit of God? We STILL have to act what the Spirit is calling us to, even though it is going to be hard, as Jesus warns us:

Whoever wants to be my disciple [follower] MUST deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man [Jesus] is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. (Matthew 16:24-27)

We can put our trust in Him, for He is the way of the life and the truth (John 14:6), and “we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Moving Forward With God in Christ Jesus!

“We do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.” – Hebrews 10:39 NIV

We should NOT shrink back and be destroyed from the faith in Christ Jesus, for we know  that “salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) This means that God has given us the salvation in Christ Jesus by forgiving our sins. To prove this, He came down from heaven into the world as Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:6-8; Colossians 1:15) to crucify Himself on the cross as an atonement of our sins, in order to disarm the spiritual powers, authorities, and rulers (Colossians 2:13-15).

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is TRUE for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God freely and graciously declares that we are righteous. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he declares sinners to be right in his sight when they believe in Jesus. (Romans 3:22-26)

Therefore, since God declares all of us to be right in His sight and we are healed by Christ’s wounds (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:24), let’s really pursue (Deuteronomy 4:29; Matthew 6:33) and moving forward with Him (Philippians 3:7-14); by abiding to the Spirit and the peace of God (John 14:15-17,26-27) in everything that we do, for “the earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it” (Psalm 24:1); and we are the children (1 John 3:1) and the branches of God (John 15:1-5)!

I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart. And I will put my Spirit in you so that you will follow my decrees and be careful to obey my regulations. (Ezekiel 36:26-27)

This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. (1 John 4:13)

Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? (1 Corinthians 3:16)

Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?

If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast. If I say, “Surely the darkness will hide me and the light become night around me,” even the darkness will not be dark to you; the night will shine like the day, for darkness is as light to you. (Psalm 139:7-12)

New Creations in Christ Jesus!

“We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.” – James 3:2 NIV

Would it be GREAT if we are all righteous before the Lord? Yes, it would be great and actually be in His presence all the time! However, we are all sinners, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23); we became sinners through Adam, the first man created by God [READ: Genesis 1-4].

When Adam sinned, sin entered the world. Adam’s sin brought death, so death spread to everyone, for everyone sinned. (Romans 5:12)

This is why God came down from heaven into the world as Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:6-8, Colossians 1:15) to crucify Himself on the cross, in order to disarm the spiritual powers, authorities, and rulers (Colossians 2:13-15).

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might break the power of him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil--and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. (Hebrews 2:14-15)

So that we could be new creations in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17) to be the righteousness of God!

For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“He himself bore our sins” in his body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.” For “you were like sheep going astray,” but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. (1 Peter 2:24-25)

Therefore, since we are new creations in Christ Jesus, we need to live our lives like Him as 1 John 2:5-6 states: “… This is how we know we are in him: Whoever claims to live in him must live as Jesus did.”

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps. (1 Peter 2:21)

Because of this, we also need to repent each time for going through the wide road rather than the narrow road, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand (Matthew 3:2)

“… there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. (Luke 15:7)

This is because wide road leads us to destruction as we can see this in Matthew 7:13-14: “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” 

For the Kingdom and the Glory of God in Christ Jesus!

‘Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life. And then I will be able to boast on the day of Christ that I did not run or labor in vain.’ – Philippians 2:14-16 NIV

Even though Christian Life is going to be hard as Jesus warns us in Matthew 16:24-25: “Whoever wants to be my disciple MUST deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it,” we should do everything without grumbling or arguing and for the kingdom and the glory of God, for “we know that we are children of God, and that the whole world is under the control of the evil one.” (1 John 5:19)

For, as I have often told you before and now tell you again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. For we know that if the earthly tent we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands.

Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal. (Philippians 3:18-21, 2 Corinthians 5:1, 2 Corinthians 4:16-18)

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, NOT on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. (Colossians 3:1-4, 1 Corinthians 10:31)

Secondly, since Jesus gave us the GREAT commission to do: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-20), we also should admonish one another that we should become ambassadors of Christ.  This is because He is the way of the truth and the life (John 14:6)!

Overall, we should become spiritual body-builders for ourselves and other people as we wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to give us ETERNAL life, which has been promised to every TRUE follower/disciple of Jesus!

Dear friends, remember what the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ foretold. They said to you, “In the last times there will be scoffers who will follow their own ungodly desires.” These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit.

But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.

Be merciful to those who doubt; save others by snatching them from the fire; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh. (Jude 1:17-23)

The Sprring-Flowing Living Water!

‘Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water I give will never be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.”’ – John 4:13-14 ERV

The waters that Jesus is talking about are the flesh and the Spirit. So if we join John 4:13-14 with Galatians 5:16, they go like this: ‘Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water [flesh] will be thirsty again. But anyone who drinks the water [Spirit] I give will NEVER be thirsty again. The water I give people will be like a spring flowing inside them. It will bring them eternal life.” So I tell you, live the way the Spirit leads you. Then you will not do the evil [flesh] things your sinful self wants.’ Like what Galatians 5:16 states, we should let the Spirit guide us instead of the flesh/sin, for “when people sin, they earn what sin pays—death. But God gives his people a free gift [Spirit]—eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)

If you live to satisfy your sinful self, the harvest you will get from that will be eternal death. But if you live to please the Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life. (Galatians 6:8)

Because God who is our heavenly Father (Ephesians 4:6), gave us the Spirit of His that leads us to ETERNAL LIFE, we should be grateful and “must not get tired of doing good. We will receive our harvest of eternal life at the right time. We must not give up. When we have the opportunity to do good to anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Galatians 6:9-10), for the word of God states in Matthew 5:16: “… let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This is because if they glorify our Father in heaven each time we do good deeds to them, they might start to seek Him and find Him. Then, they probably will start to consider Him as their Lord and Savior!

Therefore, let’s first fully drink the living water that Jesus gave us by abiding to the Spirit (John 14:15-17,26-27) in full-devotion; to do the will of God, for the kingdom of heaven – “…if you live to please the Spirit, your harvest from the Spirit will be eternal life.” (Galatians 6:8)

Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who DOES the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!’ (Matthew 7:21-23)

Then let’s start to share that living water as ambassadors of Christ, for the glory of God that will be revealed to us (Colossians 3:4)!

You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven. For you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. (Matthew 5:14-16, 1 Peter 2:9, 2 Corinthians 5:20)

The Word of the Truth!

‘Jesus said to the people who believed in him, “You are truly my disciples if you remain faithful to my teachings. And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”’ – John 8:31-32 NLT

All of us are considered as followers of Christ and have relationship with God, if we remain faithful to His teachings, for the word of God states in 2 John 1:9: “Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does NOT have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son.”  In other words, we are meant to live our lives by His teachings, if we are TRUE followers of Jesus Christ and want to have relationship with God; since Jesus Christ is actually God (Colossians 1:15)

What are the teachings of Christ, and what does “And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” mean? Does this mean that we need them? His teachings are the word of God, which is recorded in the Bible; God just chose few specific people to write His teachings. And yes, we need them, because Jesus Christ is the way of the truth and the life (John 14:6); as there are there in order to help us to live correctly and to be the righteousness of God, for the word of God states in 2 Timothy 3:16-17: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” This is mainly because we are sinners, for “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin… (1 John 2:1)

For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.” For the word of the Lord is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The Lord loves righteousness and justice… (Romans 1:17, Psalm 33:4-5)

Therefore, let’s really abide in the word of God and remain faithful to it in full-devotion (1 Kings 8:61 NIV) to live our lives correctly and be the righteousness of God. “For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Blessed are those whose ways are blameless, who walk according to the law of the Lord. Blessed are those who keep his statutes and seek him with all their heart. (Psalm 119:1-2)

Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in the one Spirit, striving together as one for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. (Philippians 1:27-28)