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Keep Fervent in Your Love

¹ Therefore, since ^(F1)(C1)Christ suffered in the flesh and died for us, ^(C2)arm yourselves like warriors with the same purpose being willing to suffer for doing what is right and pleasing God, because ^(C3)whoever has suffered in the flesh being like-minded with Christ is done with intentional sin having stopped pleasing the world,^2 (C1)so that he can no longer spend ^(C2)the rest of his natural life living for human appetites and desires, but lives for the ^(C3)will and purpose of God.³ For ^(C1)the time already past is more than enough for doing what the unsaved Gentiles like to do—^(F1)(C2)living unrestrained as you have done in a course of shameless sensuality, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.⁴ In connection with all this, they the unbelievers are resentful and surprised that you do not think like them, value their values and run hand in hand with them into the same excesses of ^(C1)dissipation and immoral freedom, and they ^(C2)criticize and abuse and ridicule you and make fun of your values.⁵ But they will have to give an account to Him who is ready to judge and pass sentence on ^(C1)the living and the dead.⁶ For this is why ^(C1)the good news of salvation was preached in their lifetimes even to those who are dead, that though they were judged in the flesh as men are, they may live in the spirit according to the will and purpose of God.

^7 (C1)The end and culmination of all things is near. Therefore, ^(C2)be sound-minded and self-controlled for the purpose of prayer staying balanced and focused on the things of God so that your communication will be clear, reasonable, specific and pleasing to Him.⁸ Above all, ^(C1)have ^(F1)fervent and unfailing love for one another, because ^(C2)love covers a multitude of sins it overlooks unkindness and unselfishly seeks the best for others. ^(VR1)9 (C1)Be ^(F1)hospitable to one another without ^(C2)complaint.^10 (C1)Just as each one of you has received a special gift a spiritual talent, an ability graciously given by God, employ it in serving one another as is appropriate for good ^(C2)stewards of God's multi-faceted grace faithfully using the diverse, varied gifts and abilities granted to Christians by God's unmerited favor.^11 (C1)Whoever speaks to the congregation, is to do so as one who speaks the ^(C2)oracles (utterances, the very words) of God. Whoever serves the congregation is to do so as one who serves ^(C3)by the strength which God abundantly supplies, so that ^(C4)in all things God may be glorified honored and magnified through Jesus Christ, ^(C5)to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Share the Sufferings of Christ

^12 (C1)Beloved, do not be surprised at the ^(C2)fiery ordeal which is taking place to test you that is, to test the quality of your faith, as though something strange or unusual were happening to you.¹³ But insofar as you are ^(C1)sharing Christ's sufferings, keep on rejoicing, so that when His glory filled with His radiance and splendor is ^(C2)revealed, ^(C3)you may rejoice with great joy.¹⁴ If you are insulted and reviled ^(C1)for bearing the name of Christ, ^(C2)you are blessed happy, with life-joy and comfort in God's salvation regardless of your circumstances, ^(C3)because the Spirit of glory and of God is resting on you and indwelling you—He whom they curse, you glorify. ^(VR1)15 Make sure that ^(C1)none of you suffers as a murderer, or a thief, or any sort of criminal in response to persecution, or as a ^(C2)troublesome meddler interfering in the affairs of others;¹⁶ but if anyone suffers ill-treatment as a ^(F1)(C1)Christian because of his belief, he is not to be ashamed, but is to ^(C2)glorify God because he is considered worthy to suffer in this name.¹⁷ For it is the time destined for judgment ^(C1)to begin with ^(C2)the household of God; and if ^(C3)it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those ^(C4)who do not respect or believe or obey the ^(C5)gospel of God?^18 (C1)AND IF IT IS DIFFICULT FOR THE RIGHTEOUS TO BE SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE ^(C2)GODLESS AND THE SINNER? ^(VR1)19 Therefore, those who are ill-treated and suffer in accordance with ^(C1)the will of God must continue to do right and commit their souls for safe-keeping to the faithful Creator.