I AM A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

FOR WE ARE GOD'S WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS TO DO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD PREPARED IN ADVANCE FOR US TO DO.(Eph.2:10)

A WORKMAN APPROVED BY GOD:

KEEP REMINDING THEM OF THESE THINGS. WARN THEM BEFORE GOD AGAINST QUARRELING ABOUT WORDS; IT IS OF NO VALUE, AND ONLY RUINS THOSE WHO LISTEN. DO YOUR BEST TO PRESENT YOURSELF TO GOD AS ONE APPROVED, A WORKMAN WHO DOES NOT NEED TO BE ASHAMED AND WHO CORRECTLY HANDLES THE WORD OF TRUTH. AVOID GODLESS CHATTER, BECAUSE THOSE WHO INDULGE IN IT WILL BECOME MORE AND MORE UNGODLY. THERE TEACHING WILL SPREAD LIKE GANGRENE. AMONG THEM ARE HYMENAEUS AND PHILETUS, WHO HAVE WANDERED AWAY FROM THE TRUTH. THEY SAY THAT THE RESURRECTION HAS ALREADY TAKEN PLACE, AND THE DESTROY THE FAITH OF SOME. NEVERTHELESS, GOD'S SOLID FOUNDATION STANDS FIRM, SEALED WITH THIS INSCRIPTION: "THE LORD KNOWS THOSE WHO ARE HIS," AND, "EVERYONE WHO CONFESSES THE NAME OF THE LORD MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS."
IN A LARGE HOUSE THERE ARE ARTICLES NOT ONLY OF GOLD AND SILVER, BUT ALSO OF WOOD AND CLAY; SOME ARE FOR NOBLE PURPOSES AND SOME FOR IGNOBLE. IF A MAN CLEANSES HIMSELF FROM THE LATTER, HE WILL BE AN INSTRUMENT FOR NOBLE PURPOSES, MADE HOLY, USEFUL TO THE MASTER AND PREPARED TO DO ANY GOOD WORK. FLEE THE EVIL DESIRES OF YOUTH, AND PURSUE RIGHTEOUSNESS, FAITH, LOVE AND PEACE, ALONG WITH THOSE WHO CALL ON THE LORD OUT OF A PURE HEART. DON'T HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH FOOLISH AND STUPID ARGUMENTS, BECAUSE YOU KNOW THEY PRODUCE QUARRELS. AND THE LORD'S SERVANT MUST NOT QUARREL; INSTEAD, HE MUST BE KIND TO EVERYONE, ABLE TO TEACH, NOT RESENTFUL. THOSE WHO OPPOSE HIM HE MUST GENTLY INSTRUCT IN THE WORD, IN THE HOPE THAT GOD WILL GRANT THEM REPENTANCE LEADING THEM TO A KNOWLEDGE OF THE TRUTH, AND THAT THEY WILL COME TO THEIR SENSES AND ESCAPE FROM THE TRAP OF THE DEVIL, WHO HAS TAKEN THEM CAPTIVE TO DO HIS WILL.(2Tim.2:14-26)

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GOD - BREATHED AND IS USEFUL FOR TEACHING, REBUKING, CORRECTING AND TRAINING IN RIGHTEOUSNESS, SO THAT THE MAN OF GOD MAY BE THOROUGHLY EQUIPPED FOR EVERY GOOD WORK.(2Tim.3:16)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANKS BE TO GOD. AMEN!

I AM NOT ASHAMED TO TESTIFY ABOUT OUR LORD!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

I AM FANNING IN TO FLAMES THE GIFT OF GOD , WHICH IS IN ME THROUGH THE SPIRIT OF GOD:

FOR GOD DID NOT GIVE US (ME) A SPIRIT OF TIMIDITY, BUT A SPIRIT OF POWER, OF LOVE AND OF SELF - DISCIPLINE.

SO DO NOT BE ASHAMED TO TESTIFY ABOUT OUR LORD, OR ASHAMED OF ME CHRIST PRISONER. BUT JOIN WITH ME IN SUFFERING FOR THE GOSPEL, BY THE POWER OF GOD, WHO HAS SAVED US (ME) AND CALLED US (ME) TO A HOLY
LIFE - NOT BECAUSE OF ANYTHING WE HAVE DONE BUT BECAUSE OF GOD'S OWN PURPOSE AND GRACE. THIS GRACE WAS GIVEN US (ME) IN CHRIST JESUS BEFORE THE BEGINNING OF TIME, BUT GRACE HAS NOW BEEN REVEALED THROUGH THE APPEARING OF OUR SAVIOR, CHRIST JESUS, WHO HAS DESTROYED DEATH AND HAS BROUGHT LIFE AND IMMORTALITY TO LIGHT THROUGH THE GOSPEL.
AND OF THIS GOSPEL I (PAUL) WAS APPOINTED A HERALD AND AN APOSTLE AND A TEACHER. THAT IS WHY I AM SUFFERING AS I AM. YET I AM NOT ASHAMED, BECAUSE I KNOW WHOM I HAVE BELIEVED, AND AM CONVINCED THAT
GOD IS ABLE TO GUARD WHAT I HAVE ENTRUSTED TO GOD FOR THAT DAY. WHAT YOU HEARD FROM ME, KEEP AS THE PATTERN OF SOUND TEACHING, WITH FAITH AND LOVE IN CHRIST JESUS. GAURD THE GOOD DEPOSIT THAT WAS ENTRUSTED TO YOU - GAURD IT WITH THE HELP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT WHO LIVES IN US (ME). (2Tim.1:7-14)

YOU THEN, MY SON, BE STRONG IN THE GRACE THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS. AND THE THINGS YOU HAVE HEARD ME SAY IN THE PRESENCE OF MANY WITNESSES ENTRUST TO RELIABLE MEN WHO WILL ALSO BE QUALIFIED TO TEACH OTHERS. ENDURE HARDSHIP WITH US LIKE A GOOD SOLDIER OF CHRIST JESUS. NO ONE SERVING AS A SOLDIER GETS INVOLVED IN CIVILIAN AFFAIRS - HE WANTS TO PLEASE HIS COMMANDING OFFICERS. SIMILARLY IF ANYONE COMPETES AS AN ATHLETE, HE DOES NOT RECEIVE THE VICTOR'S CROWN UNLESS HE COMPETES ACCORDING TO THE RULES. THE HARDWORKING FARMER SHOULD BE THE FIRST TO RECEIVE A SHARE OF THE CROPS. REFLECT ON WHAT I AM SAYINGS, FOR THE LORD WILL GIVE YOU INSIGHT INTO ALL THIS. REMMEMBER JESUS CHRIST, RAISED FROM THE DEAD, DESCENDED FROM DAVID. THIS IS MY GOSPEL, FOR WHICH I AM SUFFERING EVEN TO THE POINT OF BEING CHAINED LIKE A CRIMINAL. BUT GOD'S WORD IS NOT CHAINED. THEREFORE I ENDURE EVERYTHING FOR THE SAKE OF THE ELECT, THAT THEY TOO MAY OBTAIN THE SALVATION THAT IS IN CHRIST JESUS, WITH ETERNAL GLORY.
HERE IS A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING: "IF WE DIED WITH CHRIST, WE WILL ALSO LIVE WITH CHRIST; IF WE ENDURE, WE WILL ALSO REIGN WITH CHRIST. IF WE DISOWN CHRIST, CHRIST WILL ALSO DISOWN US; IF WE ARE FAITHLESS, CHRIST WILL REMAIN FAITHFUL, FOR CHRIST CANNOT DISOWN HIMSELF" (2Tim.2:1-13)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN!

THIS IS HOW PEOPLE OUGHT TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN GOD'S HOUSEHOLD!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

"THIS IS HOW PEOPLE OUGHT TO CONDUCT THEMSELVES IN GOD'S HOUSEHOLD, WHICH IS THE PILIAR AND FOUNDDATION OF THE TRUTH. BEYOUND ALL QUESTION, THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS IS GREAT: GOD APPEARED IN THE FLESH, WAS VINDICATED BY THE SPIRIT, WAS SEEN BY THE ANGELS, WAS PREACHED AMONG THE NATIONS, WAS BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD, WAS TAKEN UP IN GLORY".

INSTRUCTIONS TO TIMOTHY AND ME:

THE SPIRIT CLEARLY SAYS THAT IN LATER TIMES SOME WILL ABANDON THE FAITH AND FOLLOW DECEIVING SPIRITS AND THINGS TAUGHT BY DEMONS. SUCH TEACHINGS COME THROUGH HYPOCRITICAL LIARS, WHOSE CONSCIENCES HAVE BEEN SEARED AS WITH A HOT IRON. THEY FORBID PEOPLE TO MARRY AND ORDER THEM TO ABSTAIN FROM CERTAIN FOODS, WHICH GOD CREATED TO BE RECEIVED WITH THANKSGIVING, BECAUSE IT IS CONSECRATED BY THE WORD OF GOD AND PRAYER. IF YOU POINT THESE THINGS OUT TO THE BROTHERS, YOU WILL BE A GOOD MINISTER OF CHRIST JESUS, BROUGHT UP IN THE TRUTHS OF THE FAITH AND OF THE GOOD TEACHING THAT YOU HAVE FOLLOWED. HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH GODLESS MYTHS AND OLD WIVES TALES; RATHER, TRAIN YOURSELF TO BE GODLY. FOR PHYSICAL TRAINING IS OF SOME VALUE, BUT GODLINESS HAS VALUE FOR ALL THINGS, HOLDING PROMISE FOR BOTH THE PRESENT LIFE AND THE LIFE TO COME.
THIS IS A TRUSTWORTHY SAYING THAT DESERVES FULL ACCEPTANCE (AND FOR THIS WE LABOR AND STRIVE), THAT WE HAVE PUT OUR HOPE IN THE LIVING GOD, WHO IS THE SAVIOR OF ALL MEN, AND ESPECIALLY OF THOSE WHO BELIEVE. COMMAND AND TEACH THESE THINGS. DON'T LET ANYONE LOOK DOWN ON YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE YOUNG, BUT SET AN EXAMPLE FOR THE BELIEVERS IN SPEECH, IN LIFE, IN LOVE, IN FAITH AND IN PURITY. UNTIL I COME, DEVOTE YOURSELF TO THE PUBLIC READING OF SCRIPTURE, TO PREACHING AND TO TEACHING. DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR GIFT, WHICH WAS GIVEN YOU THROUGH A PROPHETIC MESSAGE WHEN THE BODY OF ELDERS LAID THEIR HANDS ON YOU. BE DILIGENT IN THESE MATTERS; GIVE YOURSELF WHOLLY TO THEM, SO THAT EVERYONE MAY SEE YOUR PROGRESS. WATCH YOUR LIFE AND DOCTRINE CLOSELY.PERSEVERE IN THEM, BECAUSE IF YOU DO, YOU WILL SAVE BOTH YOURSELF AND YOUR HEARERS.(1Tim.4:1-16)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR Y LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN!

GOD HAS QUALIFIED ME TO SHARE IN THE KINGDOM CHRIST!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOT SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

GOD HAS QUALIFIED ME TO SHARE IN THE KINGDOM OF CHRIST THE SON GOD LOVES, IN WHOM I HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF MY SINS!

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 GOD'S WILL THROUGH ALL SPIRITUAL WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING.
AND WE PRAY THIS IN ORDER THAT YOU MAY LIVE A LIFE WORTHY OF THE LORD AND MAY PLEASE THE LORD IN EVERY WAY: BEARING FRUIT IN EVERY GOOD WORK, GROWING IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, BEING STRENGTHENED WITH ALL POWER ACCORDING TO GOD'S GLORIOUS MIGHT SO THAT YOU MAY HAVE GREAT ENDURANCE AND PATIENCE, AND JOYFULLY GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER, WHO HAS QUALIFIED YOU TO SHARE IN THE INHERITANCE OF THE SAINTS IN THE KINGDOM OF LIGHT. FOR GOD HAS RESCUED US FROM THE DOMINION OF DARKNESS AND BROUGHT US INTO THE KINGDOM OF THE SON GOD LOVES, IN WHOM WE HAVE REDEMPTION, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.(Col.1:9-14)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN

I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD IN CHRIST JESUS!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST,GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

PRESSING ON TOWARD THE GOAL:

"I WANT TO KNOW CHRIST AND THE POWER OF HIS RESURRECTION AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF SHARING IN CHRIST SUFFERINGS, BECOMING LIKE CHRIST IN HIS DEATH, AND SO, SOMEHOW, TO ATTAIN TO THE RESURRECTION FROM THE DEAD. NOT THAT I HAVE ALREADY OBTAINED ALL THIS , OR HAVE ALREADY BEEN MADE PERFECT, BUT I PRESS ON TO TAKE HOLD OF THAT FOR WHICH CHRIST JESUS TOOK HOLD OF ME." BROTHERS, I DO NOT CONSIDER MYSELF YET TO HAVE TAKEN HOLD OF IT. BUT ONE THING I DO: FORGETTING WHAT IS BEHIND AND STRAINING TOWARD WHAT IS AHEAD, I PRESS ON TOWARD THE GOAL TO WIN THE PRIZE FOR WHICH GOD HAS CALLED ME HEAVENWARD IN CHRIST JESUS.
ALL OF US WHO ARE MUTURE SHOULD TAKE SUCH A VIEW OF THINGS. AND IF ON SOME POINT YOU THINK DIFFERENTLY, THAT TOO GOD WILL MAKE CLEAR TO YOU.
ONLY LET US LIVE UP TO WHAT WE HAVE ALREADY ATTAINED.
JOIN WITH OTHERS IN FOLLOWING MY EXAMPLE, BROTHERS, AND TAKE NOTE OF THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WE GAVE YOU . FOR, AS I HAVE OFTEN TOLD YOU BEFORE AND NOW SAY 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 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 CHRIST TO BRING EVERYTHING UNDER CHRIST'S CONTROL, WILL TRANSFORM OUR LOWLY BODIES SO THAT THEY WILL BE LIKE CHRIST GLORIOUS BODY.
THEREFORE, MY BROTHERS, YOU WHOM I LOVE AND LONG FOR, MY JOY AND CROWN, THAT IS HOW YOU SHOULD STAND FIRM IN THE LORD, DEAR FRIENDS! (Phil.3:10-4:1)

REJOICE IN THE LORD ALWAYS. I WILL SAY IT AGAIN: REJOICE! LET YOUR GENTLENESS BE EVIDENT TO ALL. THE LORD IS NEAR. DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANYTHING, BUT IN EVERTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUEST TO GOD. AND THE PEACE OF GOD, WHICH TRANSCEND ALL UNDERSTANDING, WILL GUARD YOUR HEARTS AND YOUR MINDS IN CHRIST JESUS.
FINALLY, BROTHERS, WHATEVER IS TRUE, WHATEVER IS NOBLE, WHATEVER IS RIGHT, WHATEVER IS PURE, WHATEVER IS LOVELY, WHATEVER IS ADMIRABLE - IF ANYTHING IS EXCELLENT OR PRAISEWORTHY - THINK ABOUT SUCH THINGS. WHATEVER YOU HAVE LEARNED OR RECEIVED OR HEARD FROM ME, OR SEEN IN ME - PUT IT INTO PRACTICE. AND THE GOD OF PEACE WILL BE WITH YOU. (Phil.4:4-9)

 AND MY GOD WILL MEET ALL YOUR NEEDS ACCORDING TO
GOD'S GLORIOUS RICHES IN CHRIST JESUS.(Phil.4:19)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN!

IMITATING CHRIST'S HUMILITY BY CONSIDERING OTHERS BETTER THAN MYSELF.

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

IMITATING CHRIST'S HUMILITY:

IF YOU HAVE ANY ENCOURAGEMENT FROM BEING UNITED WITH CHRIST, IF ANY COMFORT FROM CHRIST'S LOVE, IF ANY FELLOWSHIP WITH THE SPIRIT, IF ANY TENDERNESS AND COMPASSION, THEN MAKE MY JOY COMPLETE BY BEING LIKE - MINDED, HAVING THE SAME LOVE, BEING ONE IN SPIRIT AND PURPOSE. DO NOTHING OUT OF SELFISH AMBITION OR VAIN CONCEIT, BUT IN HUMILITY CONSIDER OTHERS BETTER THAN YOURSELVES.
EACH OF YOU SHOULD LOOK NOT ONLY TO YOUR OWN INTERESTS, BUT ALSO TO THE INTERESTS OF OTHERS.
YOUR ATTITUDE SHOULD BE THE SAME AS THAT OF CHRST JESUS:
WHO, BEING IN VERY NATURE GOD, DID NOT CONSIDER EQUALITY WITH GOD SOMETHING TO BE GRASPED, BUT MADE HIMSELF NOTHING, TAKING THE VERY NATURE OF A SERVANT, BEING MADE IN HUMAN LIKENESS. AND BEING FOUND IN APPEARANCE AS A MAN, CHRIST HUMBLED HIMSELF AND BECAME OBEDIENT TO DEATH - EVEN DEATH ON A CROSS! THEREFORE GOD EXALTED CHRIST TO THE HIGHEST PLACE AND GAVE CHRIST THE NAME, THAT IS ABOVE EVERY NAME, THAT AT THE NAME OF JESUS EVERY KNEE SHOULD BOW, IN HEAVEN AND ON EARTH AND UNDER THE EARTH, AND EVERY TONGUE CONFESS THAT JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, TO THE GLORY OF GOD THE FATHER.(Phil.2:1-11)

 THAT I MAY GAIN CHRIST AND BE FOUND IN CHRIST, NOT HAVING A RIGHTEOUSNESS OF MY OWN THAT COMES FROM THE LAW, BUT THAT WHICH IS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST - THE RIGHTEOUNESS THAT COMES FROM GOD AND IS BY FAITH.(Phil.3:8c-9)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN

STAND YOUR GROUND IN THE ARMOR OF GOD!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

PUT ON THE ARMOR OF GOD:

FINALLY, BE STRONG IN THE LORD AND IN THE LORD'S 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 THE 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. AND PRAY IN THE SPIRIT MAN ON ALL OCCASIONS WITH ALL KINDS OF PRAYERS AND REQUEST. WITH THIS IN MIND, BE ALERT TO GOD'S WORD AND ALWAYS KEEP ON PRAYING FOR ALL THE SAINTS.(Eph.6:10-18)

FOR THOUGH WE LIVE IN THE WORLD, WE DO NOT WAGE WAR AS THE WORLD DOES. THE WEAPONS WE FIGHT WITH ARE NOT THE WEAPONS OF THE WORLD. ON THE CONTRARY, THE HAVE DIVINE POWER TO DEMOLISH ARGUMENTS AND EVERY PRETENSION THAT SETS ITSELF UP AGAINST THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD, AND WE TAKE CAPTIVE EVERY THOUGHT TO MAKE IT OBEDIENT TO CHRIST. AND WE WILL BE READY TO PUNISH EVERY ACT OF DISOBEDIENCE, ONCE YOUR OBEDIENCE IS COMPLETE.(2Cor.10:3-6)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN!

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT OF GOD!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

LIVING AS CHILDREN OF LIGHT:

SO I, PAUL, 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. 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. 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.
YOU, HOWEVER, DID NOT COME TO KNOW CHRIST THAT WAY. SURELY YOU HEARD OF CHRIST AND WERE TAUGHT IN CHRIST IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE TRUTH THAT IS IN JESUS. 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; TO BE MADE NEW IN THE ATTITUDE OF YOUR MINDS; AND TO PUT ON THE NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.
THEREFORE EACH OF YOU MUST PUT OFF FALSEHOOD AND SPEAK TRUTHFULLY TO HIS NEIGHBOR, FOR WE ARE ALL MEMBERS OF ONE BODY. "IN YOUR ANGER DO NOT SIN": DO NOT LET THE SUN GO DOWN WHILE YOU ARE STILL ANGRY, AND DO NOT GIVE THE DEVIL A FOOTHOLD.(Eph.4:17-27)

I HAVE BEEN TAUGHT IN CHRIST BY GOD HIMSELF, AND GOD HAS RENEWED THE ATTITUDE OF MY MIND. I HAVE PUT OFF MY OLD SELF AND PUT ON MY NEW SELF, CREATED TO BE LIKE GOD IN TRUE RIGHTEOUSNESS AND HOLINESS.

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN

UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST, WE ARE ALL GOD'S PEOPLE!

GOD SPEAKS TO ME THROUGH THE WORD OF CHRIST, GOD REVEALS A PATTERN FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING IN CHRIST.

GOD PLACED ALL THINGS UNDER CHRIST'S FEET AND APPOINTED CHRIST TO BE HEAD OVER EVERTHING FOR THE CHURCH, WHICH IS CHRIST BODY.(Eph.1:22-23a)

UNITY IN THE BODY OF CHRIST:

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. BUT TO EACH ONE OF US GRACE HAS BEEN GIVEN AS CHRIST APPORTIONED IT. THIS IS WHY GOD SAYS: " WHEN CHRIST ASCENDED ON HIGH, CHRIST LED CAPTIVES IN HIS TRAIN AND GAVE GIFTS TO MEN."
( WHAT DOES "CHRIST ASCENDED" MEAN EXCEPT THAT CHRIST ALSO DESCENDED TO DEPTHS OF THE EARTH? CHRIST WHO DESCENDED IS THE VERY ONE WHO ASCENDED HIGHER THAN ALL THE HEAVENS, IN ORDER TO FILL THE WHOLE UNIVERSE.)
IT WAS CHRIST WHO GAVE SOME TO BE APOSTLES, SOME TO BE PROPHETS, SOME TO BE EVANGELIST, AND SOME TO BE PASTORS AND TEACHERS, TO PREPARE GOD'S PEOPLE FOR WORKS OF SERVICE, SO THAT THE BODY OF CHRIST MAY BE BUILT UP UNTIL WE ALL REACH UNITY IN THE FAITH AND IN THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST.
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. INSTEAD, SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE, WE WILL IN ALL THINGS GROW UP INTO HIM WHO IS THE HEAD, THAT IS, CHRIST. FROM CHRIST THE WHOLE BODY, JOINED AND HELD TOGETHER BY EVERY SUPPORTING LIGAMENT, GROWS AND BUILDS ITSELF UP IN LOVE, AS EACH PART DOES ITS WORK.(Eph.4:1-16)

CHRIST IS THE PATTERN FOR MY LIFE, AND GOD IS TRANSFORMING ME TO THE PATTERN. SO I SAY THANK'S BE TO GOD. AMEN!