My brothers and sisters, make every effort to show that God has called you to be saved. If you do everything I’ve just said, you’ll never trip and fall.
That’s why I’m suffering the way I am. But I’m not ashamed, because I know the one I’ve believed in and I’m certain that he’s able to protect what I’ve given him. I can trust him with it until the day he returns.
We’re not fighting against human beings, but against the rulers, authorities, and powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly world.
I want to appeal to the elders among you as someone who’s an elder himself. I also appeal to you as a witness of Christ’s sufferings and as someone who will share in the glory that’s going to be revealed.
We know the earthly tent we live in will be destroyed. But we have a building made by God himself, a house not made by human hands. It lasts forever, waiting for us in heaven.
It’s the same with you. You must speak words that people understand. If you don’t, no one will know what you’re saying. You’ll just be speaking into the air.
I went because God showed me that he wanted me to go. I met privately with those who are respected as leaders. I presented to them the good news that I preach among the Gentiles. I wanted to be sure that it wasn’t useless for me to keep presenting the good news that way.
Since we’re surrounded by such a huge cloud of witnesses, let’s throw off everything that weighs us down and any sin that gets in our way. Let’s keep on running the race on the course in front of us.