Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Cloak » Figurative
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness!
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
Dress » Clothing » Figurative
"If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have any sin. But now they have no excuse for their sin.
As you know, we did not come with flattering words or with a scheme to make money. God is our witness!
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
Example » Good
Remember your leaders, those who have spoken God's word to you. Think about the impact of their lives, and imitate their faith.
Verse Concepts
Imitating OthersMentoringConsistencyFaith, Growth InAttending Churchelders, in the churchGospel, Transmission OfMinistry, In The ChurchRespect, For God's CharacterBishops, QualificationsLeadershipBeing a ModelBishops, DutiesImitating Good PeopleMaintaining FaithRemembering PeopleTeaching In The ChurchChristian Conduct
Do not let anyone look down on you because you are young, but be an example for other believers in your speech, behavior, love, faithfulness, and purity.
Verse Concepts
Back to schoolAdultsAdventureFaith, Nature OfFaith, Growth InBecoming An AdultExamplesBelieversHoliness Of MinistersInexperienceInferiorityShynessYouthDuties Of Christian ServantsYoung MenLoving OthersMinisters, Should BeLove To OthersNames And Titles For The ChristianAgape LoveAge DiscriminationExample Of Believers
Do not lord it over the people entrusted to you, but be examples to the flock.
Always set an example for others by doing good actions. Teach with integrity and dignity. Use wholesome speech that cannot be condemned. Then any opponent will be ashamed because he cannot say anything bad about us.
I accused them, "To the best of our ability, we've been buying back our fellow Jews who had been sold to foreigners. Even now you're selling your fellow countrymen, only for them to be sold back to us!" They kept quiet and never spoke a word. So I said, "What you're doing isn't right! Shouldn't you live in the fear of our God to avoid shame from our foreign enemies? I'm also lending money and grain, as are my fellow-Jews and my servants, but let's not charge interest. read more.
So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil." They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. I also shook my robes, and said, "May God shake out every man from his house and his possessions who does not keep this promise. May he be emptied out and shaken just like this." All the assembly said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. And the people kept their promise. In addition, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah (that is, during the twelve years from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes), neither I nor my relatives relied on the provisions allotted to the governor. Nevertheless, the former governors before me placed a heavy burden on the people. They received food and wine, plus a tax of 40 shekels of silver. Even their young men took advantage of the people, but I never did so because I feared God. Also, as I continued to work on the wall, we purchased no land, and all of my young men were employed in the work. I fed 150 Jews and officials every day, not counting those who came from the nations around us. Our daily requirements were one ox and six choice sheep, along with various kinds of poultry prepared for me. Every ten days there was a delivery of an abundant supply of wine. Despite all this, I refused the governor's allotment, because demands on the people were heavy. "Remember me with favor, my God, for everything I've done for this people."
So today please restore to them their fields, vineyards, olive orchards, and homes, along with the one percent interest charge that you've assessed them on the grain, wine, and oil." They responded, "We will restore these things, and will assess no interest charges against them. We will do what you are requesting!" So I called the priests and made them take an oath to fulfill this promise. I also shook my robes, and said, "May God shake out every man from his house and his possessions who does not keep this promise. May he be emptied out and shaken just like this." All the assembly said, "Amen!" and praised the LORD. And the people kept their promise. In addition, from the time that I was appointed to be their governor in the land of Judah (that is, during the twelve years from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes), neither I nor my relatives relied on the provisions allotted to the governor. Nevertheless, the former governors before me placed a heavy burden on the people. They received food and wine, plus a tax of 40 shekels of silver. Even their young men took advantage of the people, but I never did so because I feared God. Also, as I continued to work on the wall, we purchased no land, and all of my young men were employed in the work. I fed 150 Jews and officials every day, not counting those who came from the nations around us. Our daily requirements were one ox and six choice sheep, along with various kinds of poultry prepared for me. Every ten days there was a delivery of an abundant supply of wine. Despite all this, I refused the governor's allotment, because demands on the people were heavy. "Remember me with favor, my God, for everything I've done for this people."
I will pay attention to living a life of integrity when will I attain it? I will live with integrity of heart in my house.
You became imitators of us and of the Lord. In spite of a great deal of suffering, you welcomed the word with the joy that the Holy Spirit produces. As a result, you became a model for all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. From you the word of the Lord has spread out not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place where your faith in God has become known. As a result, we do not need to say anything about it.
As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord. We consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard about Job's endurance and have seen the purpose of the Lord that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Dear friends, I urge you as aliens and exiles to keep on abstaining from the desires of the flesh that wage war against the soul. Continue to live such upright lives among the gentiles that, when they slander you as practicers of evil, they may see your good actions and glorify God when he visits them. For the Lord's sake submit yourselves to every human authority: whether to the king as supreme, read more.
or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king. You household servants must submit yourselves to your masters out of respect, not only to those who are kind and fair, but also to those who are unjust. For it is a fine thing if, when moved by your conscience to please God, you suffer patiently when wronged. What good does it do if, when you sin, you patiently receive punishment for it? But if you suffer for doing good and receive it patiently, you have God's approval. This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because: The Messiah also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps. "He never sinned, and he never told a lie." When he was insulted, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he did not threaten. It was his habit to commit the matter to the one who judges fairly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live righteously. "By his wounds you have been healed." You were "like sheep that kept going astray," but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king. You household servants must submit yourselves to your masters out of respect, not only to those who are kind and fair, but also to those who are unjust. For it is a fine thing if, when moved by your conscience to please God, you suffer patiently when wronged. What good does it do if, when you sin, you patiently receive punishment for it? But if you suffer for doing good and receive it patiently, you have God's approval. This is, in fact, what you were called to do, because: The Messiah also suffered for you and left an example for you to follow in his steps. "He never sinned, and he never told a lie." When he was insulted, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he did not threaten. It was his habit to commit the matter to the one who judges fairly. "He himself bore our sins" in his body on the tree, so that we might die to those sins and live righteously. "By his wounds you have been healed." You were "like sheep that kept going astray," but now you have returned to the shepherd and overseer of your souls.
After all, this is how holy women who set their hope on God used to make themselves beautiful in the past. They submitted themselves to their husbands, just as Sarah obeyed Abraham and called him lord. You have become her daughters by doing good and by not letting anything terrify you.
Freedom/liberty » What not to use liberty for
For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
God » Remember » Servants of
For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me
Meanwhile, Aaron and his sons presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, carrying out the work of the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel in accordance with everything that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. To: The twelve tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.
For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel about his Son, is my witness how constantly I mention you
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
In answer they responded, "We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are rebuilding the Temple that was built many years ago by a great king of Israel.
As the time for the evening offering arrived, Elijah the prophet approached and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I, your servant, have done all of this in obedience to your word.
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing fire furnace. He shouted out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
As he approached where Daniel was in the pit, he cried out to him in a voice filled with anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
I constantly thank my God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did when I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Government » Duty of citizens to
Remind believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, and to be ready to do any honorable kind of work.
Every person must be subject to the governing authorities, for no authority exists except by God's permission. The existing authorities have been established by God, so that whoever resists the authorities opposes what God has established, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. For the authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you like to live without being afraid of the authorities? Then do what is right, and you will receive their approval. read more.
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, not only for the sake of God's punishment, but also for the sake of your own conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God's servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work. Pay everyone whatever you owe them taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.
For they are God's servants, working for your good. But if you do what is wrong, you should be afraid, for it is not without reason that they bear the sword. Indeed, they are God's servants to administer punishment to anyone who does wrong. Therefore, it is necessary for you to be acquiescent to the authorities, not only for the sake of God's punishment, but also for the sake of your own conscience. This is also why you pay taxes. For rulers are God's servants faithfully devoting themselves to their work. Pay everyone whatever you owe them taxes to whom taxes are due, tolls to whom tolls are due, fear to whom fear is due, honor to whom honor is due.
So tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" Recognizing their wickedness, Jesus asked, "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for the tax." read more.
They brought him a denarius. Then he asked them, "Whose face and name is this?" They told him, "Caesar's." So he told them, "Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
They brought him a denarius. Then he asked them, "Whose face and name is this?" They told him, "Caesar's." So he told them, "Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
So he told them, "Then give back to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's."
For the Lord's sake submit yourselves to every human authority: whether to the king as supreme, or to governors who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing right you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people. read more.
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants. Honor everyone. Keep on loving the community of believers, fearing God, and honoring the king.
Liberty » The abuse of, warnings against
For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
But you must see to it that this right of yours does not become a stumbling block for those who are weak.
Christian Liberty » Saints should » Not abuse
For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
Malice » Christian liberty not to be a cloak for
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
Servant » Figurative
"Don't harm the land, the sea, or the trees until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads."
Promising them freedom, they themselves are slaves to depravity, for a person is a slave to whatever conquers him.
For you, brothers, were called to freedom. Only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity to gratify your flesh, but through love make it your habit to serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
Think of us as servants of the Messiah and as servant managers entrusted with God's secrets.
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
"Who, then, is the faithful and wise servant whom his master has put in charge of his household to give the others their food at the right time? How blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing this when he comes! I tell all of you with certainty, he will put him in charge of all his property. read more.
"But if that wicked servant says to himself, "My master has been delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with the drunks, that servant's master will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
"But if that wicked servant says to himself, "My master has been delayed,' and begins to beat his fellow servants and eat and drink with the drunks, that servant's master will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."
Since they're my servants whom I've brought out of the land of Egypt, they are not to be sold as slaves.
because the Israelis are my servants. They're my servants, since I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am the LORD your God."
LORD, I am indeed your servant. I am your servant. I am the son of your handmaid. You have released my bonds.
"You must keep your belts fastened and your lamps burning. Be like people who are waiting for their master to return from a wedding. As soon as he arrives and knocks, they will open the door for him. How blessed are those servants whom the master finds watching for him when he comes! I tell all of you with certainty, he himself will put on an apron, make them sit down at the table, and go around and serve them. read more.
How blessed they will be if their master comes in the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them awake! But be sure of this: if the homeowner had known at what time the thief were coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. So be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at a time when you don't expect him." Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable just for us or for everyone?" The Lord said, "Who, then, is the faithful and careful servant manager whom his master will put in charge of giving all his other servants their share of food at the right time? How blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing this when he comes! I tell you with certainty, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, "My master is taking a long time to come back,' and begins to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with unfaithful people. That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating. But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted."
How blessed they will be if their master comes in the middle of the night or near dawn and finds them awake! But be sure of this: if the homeowner had known at what time the thief were coming, he would have watched and would not have let his house be broken into. So be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at a time when you don't expect him." Peter asked, "Lord, are you telling this parable just for us or for everyone?" The Lord said, "Who, then, is the faithful and careful servant manager whom his master will put in charge of giving all his other servants their share of food at the right time? How blessed is that servant whom his master finds doing this when he comes! I tell you with certainty, he will put him in charge of all his property. But if that servant says to himself, "My master is taking a long time to come back,' and begins to beat the other servants and to eat, drink, and get drunk, the master of that servant will come on a day when he doesn't expect him and at an hour that he doesn't know. Then his master will punish him severely and assign him a place with unfaithful people. That servant who knew what his master wanted but didn't prepare himself or do what was wanted will receive a severe beating. But the servant who did things that deserved a beating without knowing it will receive a light beating. Much will be required from everyone to whom much has been given. But even more will be demanded from the one to whom much has been entrusted."
"Suppose a man among you has a servant plowing or watching sheep. Would he say to him when he comes in from the field, "Come at once and have something to eat'? Of course not. Instead, he would say to him, "Get dinner ready for me, and put on your apron and wait on me until I eat and drink. Then you can eat and drink.' He doesn't praise the servant for doing what was commanded, does he?
And you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They replied to him, "We are Abraham's descendants and have never been slaves to anybody. So how can you say, "You will be set free'?" Jesus answered them, "Truly, I tell all of you emphatically, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. read more.
The slave does not remain in the household forever, but the son does remain forever.
The slave does not remain in the household forever, but the son does remain forever.
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey either of sin, which leads to death, or of obedience, which leads to righteousness? But thank God that, though you were once slaves of sin, you became obedient from your hearts to that form of teaching with which you were entrusted! And since you have been freed from sin, you have become slaves of righteousness. read more.
I am speaking in simple terms because of the frailty of your human nature. Just as you once offered the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater disobedience, so now, in the same way, you must offer the parts of your body as slaves to righteousness that leads to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were "free" as far as righteousness was concerned. What benefit did you get from doing those things you are now ashamed of? For those things resulted in death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become God's slaves, the benefit you reap is sanctification, and the result is eternal life.
I am speaking in simple terms because of the frailty of your human nature. Just as you once offered the parts of your body as slaves to impurity and to greater and greater disobedience, so now, in the same way, you must offer the parts of your body as slaves to righteousness that leads to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were "free" as far as righteousness was concerned. What benefit did you get from doing those things you are now ashamed of? For those things resulted in death. But now that you have been freed from sin and have become God's slaves, the benefit you reap is sanctification, and the result is eternal life.
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that bother you. Of course, if you have a chance to become free, take advantage of the opportunity. For the slave who has been called to belong to the Lord is the Lord's free person. In the same way, the free person who has been called is the Messiah's slave. You were bought for a price. Stop becoming slaves of people.
Servants » God's
For just last night an angel of God, to whom I belong and whom I serve, stood by me
Meanwhile, Aaron and his sons presented offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense, carrying out the work of the Most Holy Place, making atonement for Israel in accordance with everything that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
From: James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus, the Messiah. To: The twelve tribes in the Dispersion. Greetings.
For God, whom I serve with my spirit by preaching the gospel about his Son, is my witness how constantly I mention you
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
In answer they responded, "We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and are rebuilding the Temple that was built many years ago by a great king of Israel.
As the time for the evening offering arrived, Elijah the prophet approached and said, "LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, let it be known today that you are God in Israel and that I, your servant, have done all of this in obedience to your word.
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the opening of the blazing fire furnace. He shouted out, "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out and come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego came out of the fire.
As he approached where Daniel was in the pit, he cried out to him in a voice filled with anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve constantly, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
I constantly thank my God whom I serve with a clear conscience, as my ancestors did when I remember you in my prayers night and day,
Sin » Fruits of » Garment of
Therefore pride is their necklace and violence covers them like a garment.
Live like free people, and do not use your freedom as an excuse for doing evil. Instead, be God's servants.
Save others by snatching them from the fire. To others, show mercy with fear, hating even the clothes stained by their sinful lives.
He wore curses like a garment may they enter his inner being like water and his bones like oil.