You didn’t choose me, I chose you. And I appointed you to go and bear fruit that would endure, so that you would receive from the Father anything you ask for in my name.
My brothers and sisters, when Christ died, you also died, and so you were no longer “married” to the law. Then it became possible for you to belong to Christ instead. He was raised from the dead so that our lives could produce what God wanted.
Then you’ll be able to lead a life that is worthy of the Lord and please him in every way. You’ll bear fruit in every good thing you do, you’ll get to know God better,
My brothers and sisters, you were called to be free. But don’t use your freedom as an excuse to live under the power of sin. Instead, serve one another humbly in love.
But you’ve been set free from sin, and you’ve become slaves of God. You’re gaining a great benefit from that: You’re living in the right way, and the end result will be eternal life.
Even though you’ve never seen Jesus, you love him. Though you don’t see him now, you believe in him and you’re filled with a glorious joy that can’t be put into words.
Don’t let anyone look down on you because you’re a young person. Instead, set an example for the believers in what you say and in how you live, how you love, and in what you believe. Show the believers how to be pure.
With the help of Silas, who I consider to be a faithful brother, I’ve written you this short letter to encourage you and to confirm that this is the true grace of God. Remain strong in it.
In the same way, the women must be worthy of respect. They shouldn’t be people who say things that hurt others. They must be restrained, and they must be worthy of trust in everything.
Those who do live under the control of their wrong desires think about what sin wants. But those who live under the control of the Spirit think about what the Spirit wants.