No discipline seems pleasant at the time. Instead, it seems painful. But later on it produces a harvest of godliness and peace for those who have been trained by it.
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,
that has come to you. In the same way, the good news is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and truly understood God’s grace.
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.
But God chose you to be his own people, his royal priests, a holy nation, his special treasure. You’re all these things so that you can tell everyone how wonderful God is. He brought you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.
We pray all this so that the name of our Lord Jesus will receive glory through what you’ve done and so that you’ll receive glory through what he has done, in keeping with the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
The Spirit is a guarantee that someday we’ll receive all that God has promised. That will happen after God sets all his people completely free. All these things will bring praise to his glory.
People who don’t believe might accuse you of doing wrong. But lead such good lives among them that they’ll see your good deeds and give glory to God on the day Jesus returns.
You’re also like living stones. As you come to Christ, you’re being built into a house for worship. There you will be holy priests and offer spiritual sacrifices that God will accept because of what Jesus Christ has done.
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.
So first I’m going to finish this task and make sure that the poor in Jerusalem receive this offering, and then I’ll go to Spain and visit you on my way.
Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good. Then they’ll be able to take care of people who have urgent needs, and they won’t be living useless lives.