13 Bible Verses about Motives, Importance Of
Most Relevant Verses
It is by him, that we have a share in the inheritance, which was before allotted to us, in consequence of his design, who executes the whole plan, as he himself had contriv'd it: that we should celebrate his glory, who were the first that plac'd our hopes in Christ. by whom you also have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: and having believed in him, ye were mark'd with the seal of the holy spirit, which was promised:read more.
and this is the pledge of our inheritance, being given for the deliverance of his peculiar people, to the display of his glory.
whether therefore you eat or drink, or whatsoever you do, do all to the glory of God.
let your discourse and your actions be all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the father by him.
let a speaker deliver nothing but what is agreeable to the divine oracles: and let him that attends the poor, be active in proportion to the strength God has given him. amen.
Take care not to perform any religious act in order to be observed by men: otherwise you will have no reward from your father who is in heaven. therefore, when you give alms, do not make a proclamation of it as the hypocrites do, in their publick assemblies by sound of trumpet, that they may have the applause of men. for I assure you, they have their reward. but when you give alms, "let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doth:"read more.
that your alms may be secret: and your father who sees your secret actions, shall reward you. And when you pray, be not as the hypocrites are: for they chuse to stand praying in publick places, and at the corners of the streets, to be observ'd by men. I assure you, they have their reward. but you, when you pray, enter into your closet, and when you have shut the door, pray to your father who is with you in your retirement, and your father who observeth the actions of your retirement shall reward you. When you pray, be not verbose, as the heathen are: for they think they shall be heard for their loquaciousness. don't therefore imitate them: for your father knows what you want, before you ask him. After this manner do you therefore pray: "Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. thy kingdom come. thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. give us this day our daily bread. and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. and let us not be left under temptation, but deliver us from the evil one." for if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly father will also forgive you. but if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your father forgive your trespasses. When ye fast, don't put on a dismal air, as the hypocrites do, who look dejected, that men may take notice of their fasting: I assure you, they have their reward. but whenever you fast, anoint your head, and wash your face: that your fasting may not be observed by men, but by your father, who is with you in your retirement, and your father who observes what you do in private, shall give you a reward.
beloved, if our heart condemn us not, we may securely confide in God. whatever we ask, we shall receive it of him, because we keep his commandments, and do what is agreeable to him.
servants, be entirely obedient to those, whom the laws have made your masters, and not meerly out of regard to their observation, as designing only to please men, but from a principle of integrity, as fearing God: and whatever you do, do it heartily, as serving the Lord, and not men: knowing that as you are the servants of Christ our Lord, you shall receive from him the inheritance for your reward.read more.
but he that does wrong shall be punish'd for his injustice: for no regard will be shown to the external characters of men.
Servants, be obedient to your legal masters, with awful reverence and sincerity of heart, as unto Christ: not doing your work meerly out of regard to their presence or their pleasure, but as the servants of Christ, in hearty obedience to the will of God: serve them with affection, as if it was to the Lord,read more.
and not to men: considering that whatever good any man doth, he shall be rewarded for it by the Lord, whether he be a slave or free.
Marriage is every where honourable, and that state is innocent: but the licentious and adulterers God will punish.
Mortify therefore your sensual appetites, fornication, impurity, irregular passions, wicked desires, and that licentiousness practised by idolaters. these are vices which draw down the divine vengeance upon unbelieving nations;
and such is the will of God, that you should be holy, and avoid licentiousness; that every one of you should take care to preserve the dignity of his person unsullied by the vices of the Gentiles, who know not God:read more.
that no man should be exorbitant, and behave contumeliously to his brother: because the Lord is the avenger of all such crimes, as we have formerly remonstrated to you.
