“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 7:12 This verse is a summary of Chapters 5-7. It is often called the Golden Rule. Luther said, “Jesus concludes the teaching He has been giving in these three chapters, and…
“No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 Corinthians 10:13 “Common” means all humans undergo temptation, even…
“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…
“So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” Galatians 5:16 The term “walk” is literally translated from the Greek as “be in line with” or “keep in step with”. The term is common in ethical sections of the Apostle Paul’s Letters. The term “flesh” literally refers…
“To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”” John 8:31-32 “Hold to my teaching” … here Jesus is speaking to those whose belief in Him was superficial. He is explaining…
“Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen. And he has given us this command: Anyone who loves God must also love their brother and sister.” 1 John…
“…that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 “God ……
“So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26-28 “Children of God”…
“When hard pressed, I cried to the Lord; he brought me into a spacious place. The Lord is with me; I will not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?” Psalm 118:5-6 “Hard pressed” (or under distress) indicates that the nation of Israel is threatened with extermination. The idea of being “hard pressed”…
“But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”” 1 Peter 1:15-16 “But” is a term to indicate that the way we are to be (i.e., holy) is completely different than the way we used to be. “Called”…