Preparation for Heavenly Living Correspondence School

http://www.geocities.com/bibleloverbill

PFHL Course 233-- True Christians’ Responsibility for Righteousness

(special compilation of verses by Bill Stevenson)

Jesus said to His disciples that if they love Him, they would keep His commandments and the Epistle
writers indicated that true Christians should become more and more Christ-like by thinking and doing in
moral and ethical ways-- Sanctification. Read John 14:6 & 21-24, 15:9-17 and 1 John 2:1-6 & 5:2-3
before going on. Most church-going Christians do not know what it takes to live a Heavenly lifestyle
because they are not studying and their church leadership are not teaching the New Testament Gospels and
Epistles verse by verse. I believe that this is because the commandments in the just mentioned Scripture
are too convicting or/and controversial for most individuals. Usually just the stories in the Bible and
prophecy are the only Bible teaching in most Christian churches. So I decided to collate a collection of the
commandments that will help true Christians understand what changes are required before Jesus Christ
comes back. Sanctification is not automatic!! Bad habits need to be stopped and replaced by good, God-
pleasing habits.
Jesus Christ did not come on Earth in Human form in the beginning of the New Testament times to
only satisfy His Father’s death penalty of sin and He did not come to destroy all of the Old Testament
Commandments by His unfair, necessary, crucifixion death for those who believe in the Gospel. [Matthew
5:17-20] His life exemplified perfect unselfish righteous living, obeying all of His Father’s expectations
and hopes for human beings in living to loving Him and for His pleasure. As each true Christian gets to
know Jesus Christ and the Bible better, he or she should gradually make changes in his or her thinking and
doing in obeying more of the right attitude and action commandments found in the Word of God. Then he
or she will be pleasing God the Father more and more because they love Him increasingly. Please read
Philippians 2-3, Ephesians 1:4-14, 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Ephesians 4:1-16, and 1 John 4:6-21 before going
on.
This implies that true Christianity is based on special relating, not just going through religious
ceremonies and traditions in church. Thus the attitude and action commandments are grouped in types of
relationships indicating by sub-headings. Not all of such commandments are included because many are
similar or even identical in both Old and New Testaments, others are hard-to-understand ones which are
actually indicated in other commandments, and others were just directed to certain individuals. Consider
each commandment below and on the following pages as a goal and decide what frequency you should
remember it-- daily, more than once daily, weekly, monthly, or yearly. You should want to obey each just
because you love God and want to please Him, not because you want to impress others. Thus, this is not
legalism; it is voluntary individual change because of love for God and His forever Word.

Directions: First try to determine why each verse is in the section it is in and how it can be applied
to living in today’s world. If you really believe most of the quotes and other Bible verses
referred to in this course, please tell me which ones and indicate any questions or doubts
you might have about the ones you don’t. Or/and write an essay as if you had the
opportunity to try to persuade a new Christian to want to be more Christ-like everyday.
This assignment is worth 4 units, so write at least 7 quality pages (single spaced lines
and no redundancies).

Commitment to righteousness (confession and repentance) is a true Christian’s need to experience

“the Kingdom of God”--
Romans 14:16-19
“Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
For the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink;
but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
For he [or she] who in these things serves Christ is acceptable to God,
and approved of people.
Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace,
and things wherewith one may edify another.”

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Luke17:20-21
“Now when He [Jesus Christ] was asked by the Pharisees when the Kingdom of God would come,
He answered them and said, ‘The Kingdom of God does not come with observation;
nor will they say, “See here!’ or ‘See there!”
For indeed, the Kingdom of God is within you.’”

2 Timothy 3:1-9 & 16-17

“This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
For men [and women] shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers,
disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers,
false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, high-minded,
´lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; having a form of godliness, but denying the power
thereof: from such turn away.
For of this sort are they who
creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
are ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses,
so do these also resist the truth:
men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith.
But they shall proceed no further:
for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was....
All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,
and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
that the man [or woman] of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Ephesians 2:8-10
“For by grace are you saved through faith;
and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
not of works, lest any man should boast.
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works,
which God hath before ordained
that we should walk in them.”

Galatians 5:19-26
“Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these:
adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations,
wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like;
of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past,
that they who do such things shall not inherit the Kingdom of God.
But the fruit of the Spirit is
love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.
Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.”

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Proverbs 3:5-7
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
and lean not unto your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
and He shall direct your paths.
Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord,
and depart from evil.”

***Commandments For God-Pleasing Righteousness

Proverbs 2:20
“Thus you will walk in the ways of good men
and keep to the paths of the righteous.”

Proverbs 4:14-19
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men.
Avoid it, do not travel on it;
turn from it and go on your way.
For they cannot sleep till they do evil;
they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.
They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn,
shining ever brighter till the full light of day.
But the way of the wicked is like deep darkness;
they do not know what makes them stumble.”

Proverbs 24:15-16
“Do not lie in wait like an outlaw against a righteous man's house,
do not raid his dwelling place;
for though a righteous man falls seven times,
he rises again,
but the wicked are brought down by calamity.”

Hosea 10:12
“Sow for yourselves righteousness,
reap the fruit of unfailing love,
and break up your unplowed ground;
for it is time to seek the LORD,
until He comes and showers righteousness on you.”

Zephaniah 2:3
“Seek the LORD, all you humble of the land,
you who do what He commands.
Seek righteousness, seek humility;
perhaps you will be sheltered on the day of the LORD's anger.”

Matthew 5:13-20 & 6:1

Jesus Christ said, “‘You are the salt of the Earth.
But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again?
It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

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 You are the light of the world.
A city on a hill cannot be hidden.
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl.
Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
In the same way, let your light shine before men,
that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in Heaven.
Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets;
I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.
I tell you the truth, until Heaven and Earth disappear,
not the smallest letter, not the least stroke of a pen,
will by any means disappear from the Law
until everything is accomplished.
Anyone who breaks one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same
will be called least in the Kingdom of Heaven,
but whoever practices and teaches these commands
will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.
For I tell you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the Pharisees
and the teachers of the law, you will certainly not enter the Kingdom of Heaven.’….
‘ Be careful not to do your acts of righteousness before men, to be seen by them.
If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in Heaven.’”

Romans 6
“What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!
We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that,
just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father,
we too may live a new life.
If we have been united with Him like this in His death,
we will certainly also be united with Him in His resurrection.
For we know that our old self was crucified with Him
so that the body of sin might be done away with,
that we should no longer be slaves to sin--
because anyone who has died has been freed from sin.
“Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with Him.
For we know that since Christ was raised from the dead,
He cannot die again; death no longer has mastery over Him.
The death He died, He died to sin once for all;
but the life He lives, He lives to God.
In the same way, count yourselves dead to sin
but alive to God in Christ Jesus.
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires.
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness,
but rather offer yourselves to God,
as those who have been brought from death to life;
and offer the parts of your body to Him as instruments of righteousness.
For sin shall not be your master,
because you are not under Law, but under grace.
“What then? Shall we sin because we are not under Law but under grace? By no means!
Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves,
you are slaves to the one whom you obey--
whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death,
or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?
But thanks be to God that, though you used to be slaves to sin,
you wholeheartedly obeyed the form of teaching to which you were entrusted.
You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness.
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 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves.
Just as you used to offer the parts of your body
in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness,
so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.
When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the control of righteousness.
What benefit did you reap at that time from the things you are now ashamed of?
Those things result in death!
But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God,
the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.
For the wages of sin is death,
but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Romans 8:5-15
“Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires;
but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.
The mind of sinful man is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace;
the sinful mind is hostile to God.
It does not submit to God's Law, nor can it do so.
Those controlled by the sinful nature cannot please God.
You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit,
if the Spirit of God lives in you.
And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he [or she] does not belong to Christ.
But if Christ is in you, your body is dead because of sin,
yet your spirit is alive because of righteousness.
And if the Spirit of Him
Who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, He Who raised Christ from the dead
will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit, Who lives in you.
Therefore, brothers, we have an obligation--
but it is not to the sinful nature, to live according to it.
For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die;
but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live,
because those who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God.
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear,
but you received the Spirit of adoption.
And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’.”

Ephesians 4:22-24, 5:8-17, & 6:13-14

“You were taught, with regard to your former way of life,
to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires;
to be made new in the attitude of your minds;
and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.”
“For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord.
Live as children of light (for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)
and find out what pleases the Lord.
Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
for it is light that makes everything visible.

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 This is why it is said:
‘Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you.’
Be very careful, then, how you live--
not as unwise but as wise,
making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.
Therefore do not be foolish,
but understand what the Lord's will is.”
“Therefore put on the full armor of God,
so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground,
and after you have done everything, to stand.
Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist,
with the breastplate of righteousness in place…”

Philippians 1:9-11
The Apostle Paul wrote, “And this is my prayer:
that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight,
so that you may be able to discern what is best
and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ,
filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ--
to the glory and praise of God.”

1 Timothy 6:9-11
“People who want to get rich fall
into temptation and a trap
and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men [and women] into ruin and destruction.
For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.
Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith
and pierced themselves with many griefs.
But you, child of God, flee from all this,
and pursue righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.”

2 Timothy 2:22-26
“Flee the evil desires of youth,
and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace,
along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
Don't have anything to do with foolish and stupid arguments,
because you know they produce quarrels.
And the Lord's servant must not quarrel;
instead, he [or she] must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.
Those who oppose him [or her]
he [or she] must gently instruct, in the hope
that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth,
and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil,
who has taken them captive to do his will.”

James 1:19-27
“My dear brothers, take note of this:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry,
for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires.
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent
and humbly accept the Word planted in you, which can save you.
Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves.
Do what it says.
Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says
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 is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror
and, after looking at himself, goes away
and immediately forgets what he looks like.
But the man who looks intently into the perfect Law that gives freedom,
and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it--
he [or she] will be blessed in what he [or she] does.
If anyone considers himself [or herself] religious
and yet does not keep a tight rein on his [or her] tongue,
he [or she] deceives himself [or herself]
and his [or her] religion is worthless.
Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this:
To look after orphans and widows in their distress
and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”

***God Favors the Humble/Righteous Individuals

(James 1:17 says that every good spiritual gift is from God.)
Genesis 6:9 & 7:1
“This is the account of Noah. Noah was a righteous man,
blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God….
The LORD then said to Noah, ‘Go into the ark, you and your whole family,
because I have found you righteous in this generation.’”

2 Samuel 22:21-29
“The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
according to the cleanness of my hands He has rewarded me.
For I have kept the ways of the LORD;
I have not done evil by turning from my God.
All His laws are before me; I have not turned away from His decrees.
I have been blameless before Him and have kept myself from sin.
The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness,
according to my cleanness in His sight.
“‘To the faithful, You show Yourself faithful,
to the blameless You show Yourself blameless,
to the pure You show Yourself pure,
but to the crooked You show Yourself shrewd.
You save the humble,
but Your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low.
You are my lamp, O LORD’;
the LORD turns my darkness into light.”

Psalm 7:8-9
“‘Judge me, O LORD,
according to my righteousness,
according to my integrity, O Most High.
O righteous God, Who searches minds and hearts,
bring to an end the violence of the wicked
and make the righteous secure.’”

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Psalm 1:6
“For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.”

Psalm 5:11-12
“‘But let all who take refuge in You be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread Your protection over them,
that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
For surely, O LORD, You bless the righteous;
You surround them with Your favor as with a shield.’”

Psalm 11:3-7
“When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?”
The LORD is in His holy temple; the LORD is on His Heavenly throne.
He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.
The LORD examines the righteous,
but the wicked and those who love violence His soul hates.
On the wicked He will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;
a scorching wind will be their lot.
For the LORD is righteous, He loves justice;
upright men will see His face.”

Psalm 14:5-6
“… for God is present in the company of the righteous.
You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor,
but the LORD is their refuge.”

Psalm 33:5
“The LORD loves righteousness and justice;
the Earth is full of His unfailing love.”

Psalm 34:15-22
“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous
and His ears are attentive to their cry;
the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
to cut off the memory of them from the Earth.
The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
He delivers them from all their troubles.
The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
A righteous man may have many troubles,
but the LORD delivers him from them all;
He protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.
Evil will slay the wicked;
the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
The LORD redeems His servants;
no one will be condemned who takes refuge in Him.”

Psalm 37
“Do not fret because of evil men
or be envious of those who do wrong;
for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.
Trust in the LORD and do good;
dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.
Delight yourself in the LORD
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 and He will give you the desires of your heart.
Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in Him and He will do this:
He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn,
the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.
Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for Him;
do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.
Refrain from anger and turn from wrath;
do not fret-- it leads only to evil.
For evil men will be cut off,
but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.
A little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look for them, they will not be found.
But the meek will inherit the land
and enjoy great peace.
The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;
but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for He knows their day is coming.
The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow
to bring down the poor and needy,
to slay those whose ways are upright.
But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.
“Better the little that the righteous have
than the wealth of many wicked;
for the power of the wicked will be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
The days of the blameless are known to the LORD,
and their inheritance will endure forever.
In times of disaster they will not wither;
in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.
But the wicked will perish:
the LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields,
they will vanish-- vanish like smoke.
The wicked borrow and do not repay,
but the righteous give generously;
those the LORD blesses will inherit the land,
but those He curses will be cut off.
If the LORD delights in a man's way,
He makes his steps firm;
though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with His hand.
I was young and now I am old,
yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
They are always generous and lend freely;
their children will be blessed.
“Turn from evil and do good;
then you will dwell in the land forever.
For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake His faithful ones.
They will be protected forever,
but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;
the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.
The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom,
and his tongue speaks what is just.
The Law of his God is in his heart;
his feet do not slip.
The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;
but the LORD will not leave them in their power
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 or let them be condemned when brought to trial.
Wait for the LORD and keep His way.
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.
I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,
but he soon passed away and was no more;
though I looked for him, he could not be found.
Consider the blameless, observe the upright;
there is a future for the man [or the woman] of peace.
But all sinners will be destroyed;
the future of the wicked will be cut off.
The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD;
He is their stronghold in time of trouble.
The LORD helps them and delivers them;
He delivers them from the wicked and saves them,
because they take refuge in Him.”

Proverb 14:32
“When calamity comes, the wicked are brought down,
but even in death the righteous have a refuge.”

Psalm 55:22-23
“Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you;
He will never let the righteous fall.
‘But you, O God, will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption;
bloodthirsty and deceitful men will not live out half their days.”

Proverb 29:16
“When the wicked thrive, so does sin,
but the righteous will see their downfall.”

Proverbs 11:20-21 & 23

“The LORD detests men of perverse heart
but He delights in those whose ways are blameless.
Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished,
but those who are righteous will go free…..
The desire of the righteous ends only in good,
but the hope of the wicked only in wrath.”

Proverbs 10:24-25 & 27-30

“What the wicked dreads will overtake him;
what the righteous desire will be granted.
When the storm has swept by,
the wicked are gone,
but the righteous stand firm forever”.
“The fear of the LORD adds length to life,
but the years of the wicked are cut short.
The prospect of the righteous is joy,
but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous,
but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
The righteous will never be uprooted,
but the wicked will not remain in the land.”

Proverbs 15:8-9
“The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked,
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 but the prayer of the upright pleases Him.
The LORD detests the way of the wicked
but He loves those who pursue righteousness.”

Proverb 15:29
“The LORD is far from the wicked
but He hears the prayer of the righteous.”

Proverbs 16:5-8
“The LORD detests all the proud of heart.
Be sure of this: they will not go unpunished.
Through love and faithfulness
sin is atoned for;
through the fear of the LORD
a man avoids evil.
When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD,
he makes even his enemies live at peace with him.
Better a little with righteousness
than much gain with injustice.”

Proverbs 10:2-3
“Ill-gotten treasures are of no value,
but righteousness delivers from death.
The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry
but He thwarts the craving of the wicked.”

Proverb 13:25
“The righteous eat to their hearts' content,
but the stomach of the wicked goes hungry.”

Proverbs 3:31-35
“Do not envy a violent man or choose any of his ways,
for the LORD detests a perverse man
but takes the upright into His confidence.
The LORD's curse is on the house of the wicked,
but He blesses the home of the righteous.
He mocks proud mockers
but gives grace to the humble.
The wise inherit honor,
but fools he holds up to shame.”

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Psalm 146:8
“The LORD gives sight to the blind,
the LORD lifts up those who are bowed down,
the LORD loves the righteous.”

Proverbs 9:9
“Instruct a wise man
and he will be wiser still;
teach a righteous man
and he will add to his learning.”

Psalm 97:9-10
“‘For You, O LORD, are the Most High over all the Earth;
You are exalted far above all gods.’
Let those who love the LORD
hate evil,
for He guards the lives of His faithful ones
and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.
Light is shed upon the righteous
and joy on the upright in heart.
Rejoice in the LORD,
you who are righteous,
and praise His holy name.”

Proverb 13:6
“Righteousness guards the man of integrity,
but wickedness overthrows the sinner.”

Proverbs 11:3-9
“The integrity of the upright guides them,
but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
Wealth is worthless in the day of wrath,
but righteousness delivers from death.
The righteousness of the blameless makes a straight way for them,
but the wicked are brought down by their own wickedness.
The righteousness of the upright delivers them,
but the unfaithful are trapped by evil desires.
When a wicked man dies, his hope perishes;
all he expected from his power comes to nothing.
The righteous man is rescued from trouble,
and it comes on the wicked instead.
With his mouth the Godless destroys his neighbor,
but through knowledge the righteous escape.”

Proverb 20:7
“The righteous man leads a blameless life;
blessed are his children after him.”

Proverb 21:21
“He who pursues righteousness and love
finds life, prosperity, and honor.”

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Isaiah 26:7-10
“The path of the righteous is level;
O upright One, you make the way of the righteous smooth.
Yes, LORD, walking in the way of Your laws,
we wait for You;
Your name and renown are the desire of our hearts.
My soul yearns for you in the night;
in the morning my spirit longs for you.
When your judgments come upon the Earth,
the people of the world learn righteousness.
Though grace is shown to the wicked,
they do not learn righteousness;
even in a land of uprightness
they go on doing evil and regard not the majesty of the LORD.”

Ezekiel 18:5-9
“‘Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right.
He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel.
He does not defile his neighbor's wife or lie with a woman during her period.
He does not oppress anyone,
but returns what he took in pledge for a loan.
He does not commit robbery
but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked.
He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest.
He withholds his hand from doing wrong
and judges fairly between man and man.
He follows My decrees and faithfully keeps My laws.
That man is righteous; he will surely live’, declares the Sovereign LORD.”

Malachi 3:14-4:4
“You have said, ‘It is futile to serve God.
What did we gain by carrying out His requirements
and going about like mourners before the LORD Almighty?
But now we call the arrogant blessed.
Certainly the evildoers prosper,
and even those who challenge God escape.’
Then those who feared the LORD talked with each other,
and the LORD listened and heard.
A scroll of remembrance was written in His presence
concerning those who feared the LORD and honored His name.
‘They will be Mine’, says the LORD Almighty,
‘in the day when I make up My treasured possession.
I will spare them, just as in compassion a man spares his son who serves him.
And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked,
between those who serve God and those who do not.
Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace.
All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble,
and that day that is coming will set them on fire’, says the LORD Almighty.
‘Not a root or a branch will be left to them.

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 But for you who revere My name,
the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.
And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall.
Then you will trample down the wicked;
they will be ashes under the soles of your feet
on the day when I do these things’, says the LORD Almighty.
‘Remember the Law of My servant Moses,
the decrees and laws I gave him at Horeb for all Israel.’”

Matthew 5:6-12
Jesus Christ said, “‘Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you
because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in Heaven,
for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.’”

Hebrews 12:10-11
“Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best;
but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share in His holiness.
No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful.
Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace
for those who have been trained by it.”

***Motives For God-Pleasing Righteousness

• Because of the thankfulness of true children of God--
Deuteronomy 6:20-25
“In the future, when your son asks you,
‘What is the meaning of the stipulations, decrees and laws the LORD our God has commanded you?’
Tell him: ‘We were slaves of Pharaoh in Egypt,
but the LORD brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand.
Before our eyes the LORD sent miraculous signs and wonders--
Great and terrible-- upon Egypt and Pharaoh and his whole household.
But He brought us out from there
to bring us in and give us the land that he promised on oath to our forefathers.
The LORD commanded us to obey all these decrees
and to fear the LORD our God,
so that we might always prosper and be kept alive, as is the case today.
And if we are careful to obey all this Law before the LORD our God,
as He has commanded us,
that will be our righteousness.’”

Psalms 32:11-33:1
“Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous;
it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.”

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Ezekiel 14:12-14
“The word of the LORD came to me:
‘Son of man, if a country sins against Me by being unfaithful
and I stretch out my hand against it to cut off its food supply
and send famine upon it and kill its men and their animals,
even if these three men-- Noah, Daniel and Job-- were in it,
they could save only themselves by their righteousness,
declares the Sovereign LORD.’”

Romans 1:16-20
“I am not ashamed of the Gospel,
because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes:
first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.
For in the Gospel a righteousness from God is revealed,
a righteousness that is by faith from first to last,
just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith.’
The wrath of God is being revealed from Heaven against all the Godlessness and wickedness of people
who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them,
because God has made it plain to them.
For since the Creation of the world God's invisible qualities--
His eternal power and divine nature-- have been clearly seen,
being understood from what has been made,
so that men are without excuse.”

 Because of true children of God saying and doing a lot of unselfish things--
Genesis 18:22-33
“The men turned away and went toward Sodom, but Abraham remained standing before the LORD.
Then Abraham approached Him and said: ‘Will you sweep away the righteous with the wicked?
What if there are fifty righteous people in the city? Will you really sweep it away
and not spare the place for the sake of the fifty righteous people in it?
Far be it from you to do such a thing-- to kill the righteous with the wicked,
treating the righteous and the wicked alike. Far be it from you!
Will not the Judge of all the Earth do right?’”
The LORD said, ‘If I find fifty righteous people in the city of Sodom,
I will spare the whole place for their sake.’”
Then Abraham spoke up again: ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord,
though I am nothing but dust and ashes,
what if the number of the righteous is five less than fifty?
Will you destroy the whole city because of five people?’”
‘If I find forty-five there’, He said, ‘I will not destroy it.’”
Once again he spoke to Him, ‘What if only forty are found there?’”
He said, ‘For the sake of forty, I will not do it.’”
Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak.
What if only thirty can be found there? ’”
He answered, ‘I will not do it if I find thirty there.’”
Abraham said, ‘Now that I have been so bold as to speak to the Lord,
what if only twenty can be found there?’”
He said, ‘For the sake of twenty, I will not destroy it.’”
Then he said, ‘May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more.
What if only ten can be found there?’”
He answered, ‘For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it.’”
When the LORD had finished speaking with Abraham, He left, and Abraham returned home.”

Deuteronomy 24:10-13
“When you make a loan of any kind to your neighbor,
do not go into his house to get what he is offering as a pledge.
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 Stay outside and let the man to whom you are making the loan bring the pledge out to you.
If the man is poor, do not go to sleep with his pledge in your possession.
Return his cloak to him by sunset so that he may sleep in it.
Then he will thank you,
and it will be regarded as a righteous act in the sight of the LORD your God.”

Job 29:12-17
“‘I rescued the poor who cried for help, and the fatherless who had none to assist him.
The man who was dying blessed me;
I made the widow's heart sing.
I put on righteousness as my clothing; justice was my robe and my turban.
I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame.
I was a father to the needy;
I took up the case of the stranger.
I broke the fangs of the wicked and snatched the victims from their teeth.”

Psalm 15:1-5
“‘LORD, who may dwell in Your sanctuary? Who may live on Your holy hill?
He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous,
who speaks the truth from his heart and has no slander on his tongue,
who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,
who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD,
who keeps his oath even when it hurts,
who lends his money without usury
and does not accept a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things will never be shaken.’”

Psalm 112:4-10
“Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man.
Good will come to him
who is generous and lends freely,
who conducts his affairs with justice.
Surely he will never be shaken;
a righteous man will be remembered forever.
He will have no fear of bad news;
his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD.
His heart is secure,
he will have no fear;
in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.
He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor,
his righteousness endures forever;
his horn will be lifted high in honor.
The wicked man will see and be vexed,
he will gnash his teeth and waste away;
the longings of the wicked will come to nothing.”

Proverbs 21:25-26
“The sluggard's craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work.
All day long he craves for more,
but the righteous give without sparing.”

Proverbs 29:6-7
“An evil man is snared by his own sin,
but a righteous one can sing and be glad.
The righteous care about justice for the poor,
but the wicked have no such concern.”
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Proverb 12:10
“A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.”

Proverbs 10:20-21
“The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
The lips of the righteous nourish many,
but fools die for lack of judgment.”

Proverbs 10:31-32
“The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but a perverse tongue will be cut out.
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting,
but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.”

Proverb 15:28
“The heart of the righteous weighs its answers,
but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.”

• Because of true children of God obeying the Law to first and primarily please God, not to first
please people--
Job 12:4 & 17:6-9
“I have become a laughingstock to my friends, though I called upon God and He answered—
a mere laughingstock, though righteous and blameless!”….
“God has made me a byword to everyone, a man in whose face people spit.
My eyes have grown dim with grief; my whole frame is but a shadow.
Upright men are appalled at this;
the innocent are aroused against the unGodly.
Nevertheless, the righteous will hold to their ways,
and those with clean hands will grow stronger.”
Note: Job later was blessed with twice what he had before.

Psalm 112:1-5
“Praise the LORD. Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in His commands.
His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed.
Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever.”

Proverb 12:5
“The plans of the righteous are just,
but the advice of the wicked is deceitful.”

Proverb 13:5
“The righteous hate what is false,
but the wicked bring shame and disgrace.”

Proverbs 29:17-18 & 27

“Discipline your son, and he will give you peace; he will bring delight to your soul.
Where there is no revelation, the people cast off restraint;
but blessed is he who keeps the Law.”
“The righteous detest the dishonest;
the wicked detest the upright.”

Isaiah 33:15-16
“He who walks righteously and speaks what is right,
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 who rejects gain from extortion and keeps his hand from accepting bribes,
who stops his ears against plots of murder
and shuts his eyes against contemplating evil—
this is the man who will dwell on the heights, whose refuge will be the mountain fortress.
His bread will be supplied, and water will not fail him.”

Ezekiel 3:18-20
“When I say to a wicked man, ‘You will surely die’,
and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life,
that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways,
he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself.
Again, when a righteous man turns from his righteousness and does evil,
and I put a stumbling block before him, he will die.
Since you did not warn him, he will die for his sin.
The righteous things he did will not be remembered,
and I will hold you accountable for his blood.
But if you do warn the righteous man not to sin and he does not sin,
he will surely live because he took warning, and you will have saved yourself.”

Hosea 14:9
“Who is wise? He will realize these things.
Who is discerning? He will understand them.
The ways of the LORD are right; the righteous walk in them,
but the rebellious stumble in them.”

***Conclusions
Ephesians 2:1-10
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live
when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air,
the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.
All of us also lived among them at one time,
gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts.
Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
But because of His great love for us, God, Who is rich in mercy,
made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--
it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ
and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,
in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace,
expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.

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 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--
not by works, so that no one can boast.
For we are God's workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus to do good works,
which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

1 John 3:7-10
“Dear children, do not let anyone lead you astray.
He who does what is right is righteous, just as He is righteous.
He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the beginning.
The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.
No one who is born of God will continue to sin, because God's seed remains in him;
he cannot go on sinning, because he has been born of God.
This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are:
Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God;
nor is anyone who does not love his brother.”

1 Peter 2:24
“He [Jesus Christ] Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree,
so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness;
by His wounds you have been healed.”

1 Peter 3:8-17, 4:12-19, & 5:10-11

“Finally, all of you,
live in harmony with one another;
be sympathetic,
love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing,
because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
For, ‘Whoever would love life and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech.
He must turn from evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue it.
For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.’
Who is going to harm you if you are eager to do good?
But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed.
‘Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened.’
But in your hearts
set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone
who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
But do this with gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience,
so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ
may be ashamed of their slander.
It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.”
“Dear friends,
do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering,
as though something strange were happening to you.
But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ,
so that you may be overjoyed when His glory is revealed.
If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed,
for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
If you suffer,
it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
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 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed,
but praise God that you bear that name.
For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God;
and if it begins with us,
what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the Gospel of God?
And, ‘If it is hard for the righteous to be saved,
what will become of the unGodly and the sinner?’
So then, those who suffer according to God's will
should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.”
“And the God of all grace,
Who called you to His eternal glory in Christ,
after you have suffered a little while,
will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.
To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen.”

Revelation 19:6-9
“Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude,
like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting:
‘Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give Him glory!
For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and His bride has made herself ready.
Fine linen, bright and clean, was given her to wear.’
(Fine linen stands for the righteous acts of the saints.)
Then the angel said to me, ‘Write:
“Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”’
And he added, ‘These are the true words of God.’”

Commandments for True Christians to Still Obey Via Holy Spirit Guidance
(Compiled by Bill Stevenson from December 13-30 2002)

Directions: List the actual implied commandments for we who are adopted children of God.

Relating to God the Father:

Matthew 22:37-38
“Jesus said to a rich man, ‘You shall love the Lord your God
with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.
This is the first and great commandment.’” [Please also see Deuteronomy 6:5]

Matthew 6:6-13
Jesus Christ said,
“But thou, when you pray, enter into your closet,
and when you have shut your door, pray to your Father Who is in a secret place;
and your Father which sees in secret shall reward you openly.
But when you pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do;
for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.
Be not you therefore like unto them:
for your Father know what things you have need of before you ask Him.

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 After this manner therefore pray:
‘Our Father Who are in Heaven, hallowed be Your name.
Your Kingdom come. Your will be done in Earth, as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
For Your’s is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.’”

Exodus 20:3-11
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall have no other gods before Me.
You shall not make unto thee any graven image,
or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath,
or that is in the water under the earth.
You shall not bow down yourself to them, nor serve them,
for I the Lord your God am a jealous God,
visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children
unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate Me;
and showing mercy unto thousands of them that love Me and keep My commandments.
You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain,
for the Lord will not hold him [or her] guiltless who take His name in vain.
Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.
Six days shall you labor, and do all your work.
But the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God;
in it you shall not do any work, you, nor your son, nor your daughter, your manservant,
nor your maidservant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger that is within your gates.
For in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the sea, and all that in them is,
and rested the seventh day.
Wherefore the Lord blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it.” [Deuteronomy 5:6-15]

Matthew 4:4
“But He [Jesus Christ] answered [Satan] and said,
‘It is written [in Deuteronomy 8:3], ‘Man shall not live by bread alone,
but by every word that proceeds out of the mouth of God.’’”

Matthew 7:13-27
Jesus said,
“Enter in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leads to destruction,
and many there be which go in thereat;
because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way which leads unto life,
and few there be that find it.
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
You shall know them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit;
but a corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is cut down and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits you shall know them.
Not every one that says unto Me, ‘Lord, Lord’, shall enter into the Kingdom of Heaven;
but he [or she] that does the will of My Father which is in Heaven.

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 Many will say to Me in that Day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name?
and in Your name have cast out devils? and in Your name done many wonderful works?’
And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity.
Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them,
I will liken him [or her] unto a wise man [or woman], which built his [or her] house upon a rock.
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell not, for it was founded upon a rock.
And every one that hears these sayings of Mine, and does them not,
shall be likened unto a foolish man [or woman], which built his [or her] house upon the sand.
And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house;
and it fell: and great was the fall of it.”

Matthew 12:50
Jesus Christ said,
“For whosoever shall do the will of My Father Who is in Heaven,
the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” [Please see also Hebrews 13:20-21.]

Matthew 4:7
“Jesus said unto him [Satan], ‘It is written [in Deuteronomy 6:16] again,
‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’’”

Matthew 4:10
“Then said Jesus unto him, ‘Away with you, Satan: for it is written [in Deuteronomy 6:13],
‘You shall worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shall you serve.’’”
Matthew 6:16-18

Jesus said,
“Moreover when you fast, be not as the hypocrites of a sad countenance;
for they disfigure their faces that they may appear unto men to fast.
Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.
But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that you appear not to others to fast,
but to your Father Who is in a secret place;
and your Father Who sees in secret, shall reward you openly.”

Relating to Jesus Christ:

Matthew 11:28-30
Jesus said,
“Come unto Me, all you that labor and are heavy laden,
and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me;
for I am meek and lowly in heart, and you shall find rest unto your souls.
For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”
[See also Hebrews 5:5-10 & Philippians 4:11-13.]

Philippians 2:5-8
“Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God;
but made Himself of no reputation, and took upon Him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in fashion as a man, He humbled Himself,
and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”

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Hebrews 12:1-3
“Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us,
and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith;
Who for the joy that was set before Him
endured the cross, despising the shame,
and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
For consider Him Who endured such contradiction [or hostility] of sinners against Himself,
lest you be wearied and faint [or discouraged] in your minds.”
[Please see also Galatians 3:20]

Ephesians 6:10-18
“Finally, my brothers [and sisters], be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood,
but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world,
against spiritual wickedness in high places.
Wherefore take unto you the whole armor of God
that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,
and having done all, to stand.
Stand therefore” ….. with truth, having ….. righteousness, …..
the preparation of the Gospel of peace, above all ….. faith, ….. salvation, …..
and the Word of God.
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Holy Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”

Philippians 1:9-11
“And this I [the Apostle Paul] pray,
that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment [discernment],
that you may approve things that are excellent,
that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ,
being filled with the fruits of righteousness
which are by Jesus Christ,
to the glory and praise of God.”

Relating to the Holy Spirit:

Ephesians 5:18-21
“And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess;
but be filled with the [Holy] Spirit.
Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs,
singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord;
giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father
in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.”
[Read also John 14:16-17 & 26, 15:26-27, and 16:7-14.]

Matthew 12:31-32
Jesus said, “Wherefore I say unto you,
All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men;
but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men [and women].

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 And whosoever speaks a word against the Son Of Man, it shall be forgiven him [or her];
but whosoever speaks against the Holy Ghost,
it shall not be forgiven him [or her],
neither in this world, neither in the world to come.”

Galatians 5:22-25
“But the fruit of the[Holy] Spirit is love, joy, peace,
longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law.
And they that are Christ's
have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
If we live in the Spirit,
let us also walk in the Spirit.”

Relating to the Bible:

2 Timothy 3:16
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction,
for instruction in righteousness: that the man [or woman] of God may be perfect,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

Ephesians 2:10
“For we [true Christians] are His [God the Father’s] workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works,
which God hath before ordained that we [true Christians] should walk in them.”
[Please see also Hebrews 13:20-21.]
Matthew 13:23
Jesus said,
“But he [or she] who received seed into the good ground
is he [or she] who hears the Word, and understands it;
which also bears fruit and brings forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”

James 1:21-25
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness,
and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to save your souls.
But be doers of the Word and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
For if any be a hearer of the Word and not a doer,
he [or she] is like unto a man [or woman] beholding his [or her] natural face in a glass;
For he [or she] beholds himself [or herself], and goes his [or her] way,
and immediately forgets what manner of man [or woman] he [or she] was.
But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues therein,
he [or she] being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work,
this man [or woman] shall be blessed in his [or her] deed.”

Relating to self:
Matthew 4:17
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,
‘Repent: for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand.’” [See also Matthew 9:10-13.]

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Repentance (change) in self--
Ephesians 4:17-19
“This I say therefore and testify in the Lord, that you henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk,
in the vanity of their mind, having the understanding darkened,
being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them,
because of the blindness of their heart: who being past feeling
have given themselves over unto lasciviousness,
to work all uncleanness with greediness.”

Ephesians 4:22-24
“That you put off concerning the former conversation the old man,
which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;
and be renewed in the spirit of your mind;
and that you put on the new man,
which after God
is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Romans 12:1-8
“I beseech you therefore, brothers [and sisters], by the mercies of God,
that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, ,
acceptable unto God which is your reasonable service.
And be not conformed to this world:
but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind,
that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man [and woman] who is among you,
not to think of himself [or herself] more highly than he [or she] ought to think;
but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man [woman] the measure of faith.
For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office:
So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.
Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us,
whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith;
for ministry, let us wait on our ministering;
for he [or she] who teaches, on teaching;
for he [or she] who exhorts, on exhortation;
he [or she] that gives, let him [or her] do it with simplicity;
he [or she] who rules, with diligence;
he [or she] who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.”

Matthew 5:3-6 implies that Jesus commands His followers to be “poor in spirit” [humble realizing the
natural tendency to sin], “mourners”, “meek”, and “hunger and thirst” [thoroughly/frequently desiring]
righteousness.

Repentance (change) in usage of time and life purpose--

Matthew 4:19
“And He [Jesus] said unto them [His first disciples], ‘Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.’”
[Please see also Matthew 9:36-38.]

Matthew 28:18
“And Jesus came and spoke unto them, saying,
‘All power is given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth.

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 Go therefore and teach all nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.
And, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.’”

Relating to others:
Matthew 22:39
Jesus said, “And the second [Great Commandment] is like unto it [the first Great Commandment],
You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”
[See also John 15:12-13 & 17 and 1 John 1:7-11, 3:14-24, and 4:7-5:2.]

Ephesians 5:1-4
“Be you therefore followers [imitators] of God, as dear children,
and walk in love as Christ also has loved us,
and gave Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor.
But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness,
let it not be once named among you, as becomes saints;
neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient;
but rather giving of thanks.”

Ephesians 5:6-12 & 15-17

“Let no man deceive you with vain words:
for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
Be not you therefore partakers with them.
For you were sometimes darkness, but now are you light in the Lord: walk as children of light:
(For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth;)
proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness,
but rather reprove them.
For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret.”
“See then that you walk circumspectly,
not as fools, but as wise,
redeeming the time, because the days are evil.
Wherefore be you not unwise,
but understanding what the will of the Lord is.”

Matthew 5:7-12 implies that Jesus commands His followers to be “merciful”, “pure in heart” [with good
motives for what the say and do for others], “peacemakers”, and to only get trouble or/and persecuted “for
righteousness sake”. [Please also see John 15:17-16:3 and Matthew 10:16-38]

Hebrews 12:14-15
“Pursue peace with all people,
and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord;
looking diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of God;
lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and thereby many be defiled.”

Matthew 6:14-15
Jesus said,
“For if you forgive others their trespasses,
your Heavenly Father will also forgive you.
But if ye forgive not men their trespasses,
neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.”

Matthew 5:38-6:1
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it hath been said, ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.
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 But I say unto you, that you resist not evil;
but whosoever shall smite you on thy right cheek,
turn to him the other also.
And if any man will sue you at the courts and take away your coat,
let him have your cloak also.
And whosoever shall compel you to go a mile,
go with him two.
Give to him that asks you,
and from him that would borrow from you
turn not you away.
You have heard that it has been said, ‘You shall love your neighbor, and hate your enemy.
But I say unto you, love your enemies,
bless them that curse you,
do good to them that hate you,
and pray for them which despitefully use you and persecute you;
that you may be the children of your Father Who is in Heaven.
For He makes His sun to rise on the evil and on the good,
and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
For if you love them who love you, what reward have you?
Do not even the publicans the same?
And if you salute your friends only, what do you more than others?
Do not even the publicans so?
Be you therefore perfect,
even as your Father Who is in Heaven is perfect.
Take heed that you do not your charitable deeds before men, to be seen of them,
otherwise you have no reward of your Father Who is in Heaven.”
[Please see also Ephesians 1:4 & 3:17-19 before going on.]

Galatians 5:1 & 13-14

“Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ has made us free,
and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.”
“For, brothers [and sisters], you have been called unto liberty;
only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,
but by love serve one another.
For all the Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this:
you should love your neighbor as yourself.”

Matthew 5:16 & 20

Jesus said,
“Let your light so shine before men,
that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven….
For I say unto you,
that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees,
you shall in no case enter into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

Philippians 2: 12-16
“Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed,
not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
For it is God Who works in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.
Do all things without murmurings [complaining] and disputings
that you may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke [fault],
in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation,
among whom you shine as lights in the world,
holding forth the Word of life,
that I may rejoice in the day of Christ
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 that I have not run in vain, neither labored in vain.”

Ephesians 4:1-7
“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you
that you walk worthy of the vocation wherewith you are called,
with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering,
forbearing one another in love;
endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
There is one body, and one Spirit,
even as you are called in one hope of your calling;
one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
one God and Father of all, Who is above all, and through all, and in you all.
But unto every one of us is given grace
according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”
[Please see also Ephesians 4:13-15 & 6:23 before going on.]

Galatians 6:1-10
“Brethren, if a man [or woman] be overtaken in a fault,
you who are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness;
considering yourself, lest you also be tempted.
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
For if a man [or woman] think himself [or herself] to be something, when he [or she] is nothing,
he [or she] deceives himself.
But let each one prove his [or her] own work,
and then shall he [or she] have rejoicing in himself [or herself] alone, and not in another.
For every one shall bear his [or her] own burden.
Let him [or her] who is taught in the Word
communicate unto him that teaches in all good things.
Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man [or woman] sows, that shall he [or she] also reap.
For he [or she] who sows to his [or her] flesh
shall of the flesh reap corruption;
but he [or she] that sows to the [Holy] Spirit
shall of the [Holy] Spirit reap life everlasting.
And let us not be weary in well doing,
for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all,
especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”

Hebrews 13:9a
“Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.”
[Please read Ephesians 4:11-16 before going on. How can your church be improved..]

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Ephesians 6:5-9
“Bondservants, be obedient to them who are your masters according to the flesh,
with fear and trembling, in sincerity of your heart as unto Christ;
not with eye-service as people pleasers;
but as the bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart;
with good will doing service as to the Lord, and not to people:
knowing that whatsoever good thing any individual does,
the same shall he [or she] receive of the Lord, whether he [or she] be bond or free.
And, you masters, do the same things unto them,
forbearing threatening, knowing that your Master also is in Heaven;
neither is there respect of persons with Him.”

Mind and tongue control--

Matthew 12:35-37
Jesus Christ said,
“A good man [or woman] out of the good treasure of the heart brings forth good things;
and an evil man [or woman] out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things.
But I say unto you, that every idle word that men shall speak,
they shall give account thereof in the Day of Judgment.
For by your words you shall be justified,
or by your words you shall be condemned.

Philippians 4:4-8
“Rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice!
Let your moderation [gentleness] be known unto all.
The Lord is at hand.
Be anxious for nothing;
but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving
let your requests be made known unto God.
And the peace of God, which passes all understanding,
shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers [and sisters], whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise,
think on these things.”

Philippians 2:1-8
“If there be therefore any consolation in Christ,
if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
fulfill you my joy, that you be like-minded,
having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory,
but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God;
but made Himself of no reputation,
and took upon Him the form of a servant,
and was made in the likeness of men.
And being found in fashion as a man,
He humbled Himself and became obedient unto death,
even the death of the Cross.”

Ephesians 4:25
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak everyone truth with his [or her] neighbor:
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 for we are members one of another.”

Ephesians 4:29-32
“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth,
but that which is good to the use of edifying,
that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
And grieve not the Holy Spirit of God, whereby you are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
[Please also read Ephesians 1:13-14]
“Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil speaking,
be put away from you with all malice;
and be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another,
even as God for Christ's sake has forgiven you.”
[See also Matthew 6:14-15]

Galatians 5:26
“Let us not be desirous of vain glory,
provoking one another, envying one another.”

Exodus 20:16
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” [Also in Deuteronomy 5:20]

Matthew 5:33-37
Jesus said,
“Again, you have heard that it has been said by them of old time,
‘You shall not swear falsely, but shall perform oaths to the Lord.’
But I say to you, swear not at all;
neither by Heaven for it is God's throne,
nor by the Earth for it is His footstool,
neither by Jerusalem for it is the city of the great King.
Neither shall you swear by your head, because you cannot make one hair white or black.
But let your communication be, ‘Yes’, ‘yes’; ‘no’, ‘no’;
for whatsoever is more than these comes from the evil one.”

Matthew 5:22-24
Jesus said,
“But I say unto you, that whosoever is angry with his brother [or sister] without a cause
shall be in danger of the judgment.
And whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca (“You fool”),
shall be in danger of Hell fire.
Therefore if you bring your gift to the altar and there remember that someone has something against you,
leave there your gift before the altar,
and go your way first be reconciled to your brother
and then come and offer your gift.”

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Mind and feeling control--
Exodus 20:17
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall not covet your neighbor's house,
you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant,
nor his ox, nor his ass,
nor any thing that is your neighbor's.” [Also in Deuteronomy 5:21]

Hebrews 13:5
“Let your life be without covetousness;
and be content with such things as you have:
for He has said, ‘I will never leave you, nor forsake you.’
So that we [true Christians] may boldly say,
‘The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what anyone shall do unto me.’”

Matthew 5:25
Jesus said,
“Agree with your adversary quickly, while you are in the way with him [or her],
lest at any time the adversary deliver you to the judge,
and the judge deliver you to the officer,
and you be cast into prison.”

Matthew 5:27-30
Jesus said,
“You have heard that it was said by them of old time, ‘Thou shall not commit adultery.’
But I say unto you, that whosoever looks on a woman to lust after her
has committed adultery with her already in his heart.
And if your right eye offend you,
pluck it out, and cast it from you:
for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish,
and not that your whole body should be cast into Hell.
And if your right hand offend you,
cut it off, and cast it from you:
for it is profitable for you that one of your members should perish,
and not that your whole body should be cast into Hell.”

Temper control--
Ephesians 4:26-27
“Be you angry, and sin not;
let not the sun go down upon your wrath;
neither give place to the devil.”

Exodus 20:13
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall not murder.” [Also in Deuteronomy 5:17]

Relating to family members:

Exodus 20:12
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“Honor your father and your mother:
that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”
[Also in Deuteronomy 5:16]

Ephesians 5:22-29 & 33

“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord.
For the husband is the head of the wife,
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 even as Christ is the head of the church: and He is the savior of the body.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ,
so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives,
even as Christ also loved the church, and gave Himself for it,
that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word,
that He might present it to Himself a glorious church,
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing;
but that it should be holy and without blemish.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.
He that loves his wife loves himself.
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh;
but nourishes and cherishes it,
even as the Lord the church.”
“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;
and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”

Exodus 20:14
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall not commit adultery.” [Also in Deuteronomy 5:18]

Matthew 5:31-32
Jesus said,
“It has been said, ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife, let him give her a writing of divorcement.’
But I say unto you, that whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication,
causes her to commit adultery;
and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced commits adultery.”

Ephesians 6:1-4
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Honor your father and mother (which is the first commandment with promise)
that it may be well with you, and you may live long on the Earth.
And, you fathers, provoke not your children to wrath;
but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

Relating to things:
1 John 2:15-17
“Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world.
If any man [or woman] love the world,
the love of the Father is not in him [or her].
For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life,
is not of the Father, but is of the world.
And the world passes away, and the lust thereof;
but he [or she] that does the will of God abides for ever.”

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus said,
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon Earth,
where moth and rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves break through and steal.
But lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven,
where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt,
and where thieves do not break through nor steal.
For where your treasure is,
there will your heart be also.”

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Matthew 6:24-33
Jesus said,
“No individual can serve two masters:
for either he [or she] will hate the one, and love the other;
or else he [or she] will hold to the one and despise the other.
You cannot serve God and materialism.
Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life,
what ye shall eat or what you shall drink;
nor yet for your body, what you shall put on.
Is not the life more than meat and the body than raiment?
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns;
yet your Heavenly Father feeds them.
Are you not much better than they?
Which of you by taking thought can add one cubit unto his stature?
And why take you thought for raiment?
Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin.
And yet I say unto you, that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.
Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field,
which today is and tomorrow is cast into the oven,
shall He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
Therefore take no thought, saying,
‘What shall we eat?’ or, ‘What shall we drink?’ or, ‘Wherewithal shall we be clothed?’
For after all these things do the Gentiles seek.
For your Heavenly Father knows that you have need of all these things.
But seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness;
and all these things shall be added unto you.
Take therefore no thought for tomorrow,
for the tomorrow shall take thought for the things of itself.
Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.”

Exodus 20:15
God said and wrote on the stone tablets,
“You shall not steal.” [Also in Deuteronomy 5:19]

Ephesians 4:28
“Let him [or her] that stole steal no more;
but rather let him [or her] labor, working with his [or her] hands the thing which is good,
that he [or she] may have something to give to him [or her] who needs.”

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