Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Calling » Those that are called by God
He said to me: Write: Blessed are they who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb. He said to me: These are the true sayings of God.
We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose. Those he first recognized, he ordained in advance that they be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. He ordained in advance the ones he called. He declared righteous the ones he called. He also glorified those he declared righteous.
Yes, but you, O man, who are you to answer back to God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it: Why have you made me this way? (Isaiah 45:9) Or does the potter not have authority over the clay? Can he make out of the same lump one vessel to honor, and another for common use? (Jeremiah 18:6) If God decided to show his wrath and make his power known, endured with much long-suffering vessels of wrath fit for destruction. read more.
In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory. We are the ones he has also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the nations. He says also in Hosea: Those who are not my people I will call my people. And she who is not loved I will call loved. In the place where it was said to them: You are not my people, they will be called Sons of the living God. (Hosea 2:23)
In that way he could make known the riches of his glory upon vessels of mercy that he had prepared in advance for glory. We are the ones he has also called, not only from among the Jews, but also from among the nations. He says also in Hosea: Those who are not my people I will call my people. And she who is not loved I will call loved. In the place where it was said to them: You are not my people, they will be called Sons of the living God. (Hosea 2:23)
We preach Christ impaled. It is a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the nations! To those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, it is Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
He who is called in the Lord, being a slave, is the Lord's freeman. Likewise also he who is called, being free, is Christ's slave. You are bought with a price. Stop being slaves of men. Brothers, let every man remain in the condition in which he was called. Abide with God.
Marriage » Advised
I prefer that all men were as I am. But every man has his proper gift from God, one after this manner, and another after that. I say therefore to the unmarried and widows, it is good for them if they stay unmarried like me.
Brothers, let every man remain in the condition in which he was called. Abide with God. Now concerning virgins I have no commandment from the Lord. Yet I give my opinion as one who has obtained the mercy of the Lord to be faithful. Because of the present distress I think it is good for you to remain as you are. read more.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a release. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. If you marry you have not sinned. If a virgin marries she has not sinned. Those who marry will face many problems in this life and I want to spare you. I will say this brothers the time remaining is short. So from now on those who have wives should be like those who have none. Those who weep should be like those who do not weep. And those who rejoice should be like those who do not rejoice, and those who buy like those who do not possess. Those who use this world should not abuse it, for the fashion of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxiety. He who is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. She who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I say this for your benefit and not to restrict you. I show you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things. If any man thinks he behaves improperly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth, let him do what he will, he does not sin if they get married. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virginity he does well. So then he who gives his virginity in marriage does well; but he who does not get married does even better. The wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is. This is my opinion and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek a release. Are you released from a wife? Do not seek a wife. If you marry you have not sinned. If a virgin marries she has not sinned. Those who marry will face many problems in this life and I want to spare you. I will say this brothers the time remaining is short. So from now on those who have wives should be like those who have none. Those who weep should be like those who do not weep. And those who rejoice should be like those who do not rejoice, and those who buy like those who do not possess. Those who use this world should not abuse it, for the fashion of this world is passing away. I want you to be free from anxiety. He who is unmarried cares for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please the Lord. But he who is married cares for the things that are of the world, how he may please his wife. There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman cares for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit. She who is married cares for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I say this for your benefit and not to restrict you. I show you how to live a noble life of devotion to the Lord without being distracted by other things. If any man thinks he behaves improperly toward his virgin, if she is past her youth, let him do what he will, he does not sin if they get married. Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so decreed in his heart that he will keep his virginity he does well. So then he who gives his virginity in marriage does well; but he who does not get married does even better. The wife is bound to her husband as long as he lives. If her husband dies, she is free to marry whom she wishes, only in the Lord. But she is happier if she remains as she is. This is my opinion and I think I also have the Spirit of God.
Servants » Who not to be the servant of
You are bought with a price. Stop being slaves of men. Brothers, let every man remain in the condition in which he was called. Abide with God.