Immerse: Messiah - Flipbook - Page 248
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IMMERSE
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MESSIAH
1:12–2:10
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength to do his work.
He considered me trustworthy and appointed me to serve him, even
though I used to blaspheme the name of Christ. In my insolence, I persecuted his people. But God had mercy on me because I did it in ignorance
and unbelief. Oh, how generous and gracious our Lord was! He filled me
with the faith and love that come from Christ Jesus.
This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: “Christ
Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them
all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime
example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will
realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life. All honor
and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one
who never dies; he alone is God. Amen.
Timothy, my son, here are my instructions for you, based on the prophetic
words spoken about you earlier. May they help you fight well in the Lord’s
battles. Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For
some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their
faith has been shipwrecked. Hymenaeus and Alexander are two examples.
I threw them out and handed them over to Satan so they might learn not
to blaspheme God.
I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them. Pray this way for kings and
all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked
by godliness and dignity. This is good and pleases God our Savior, who
wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth. For,
There is one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and
humanity—the man Christ Jesus. He gave his life to purchase freedom
for everyone.
This is the message God gave to the world at just the right time. And I have
been chosen as a preacher and apostle to teach the Gentiles this message
about faith and truth. I’m not exaggerating—just telling the truth.
In every place of worship, I want men to pray with holy hands lifted up
to God, free from anger and controversy.
And I want women to be modest in their appearance. They should wear
decent and appropriate clothing and not draw attention to themselves by
the way they fix their hair or by wearing gold or pearls or expensive clothes.
For women who claim to be devoted to God should make themselves attractive by the good things they do.
