supply you with everything good so that you can do his will. May he create in us what is pleasing to him through Jesus Christ. And may Jesus receive glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Epaphras, who’s from your community and who’s a servant of Christ Jesus, sends greetings. He’s always praying hard for you, that you’ll stand firm in the will of God and that you’ll be confident and mature.
Christ is the one we preach about. With all the wisdom we have, we warn and teach everyone so that when we bring them to God, they will be like Christ. We want them to be mature in Christ.
But Scripture has locked up everything under the control of sin, so that what was promised could be given through faith in Jesus Christ to those who believe.
After you’ve suffered for a little while, the God of all grace will restore you and make you strong, firm, and steadfast. He has called you to share in his eternal glory in Christ.
Those desires don’t want what the Spirit wants, and the Spirit doesn’t want what they want. The two are at war with each other, and that’s why you’re not supposed to do whatever you want.