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.
Blessed is the person who keeps going when times are difficult. After they’ve made it through these times, they’ll receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to give to those who love him.
God made these plans for people to become like his Son, and he called those people to be saved. Then he made those people right with himself, and finally, he them gave his glory.
God has saved us and called us to live a holy life. This isn’t because of anything we’ve done, but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given to us in Christ Jesus even before time began.
My dear brothers and sisters, listen to me. Hasn’t God chosen those who are poor in the world’s eyes to be rich in faith? Hasn’t he chosen them to receive the kingdom that he promised to give to those who love him?
But God’s solid foundation stands firm, with this message written on it: “The Lord knows who his own people are.” Also, “All those who say that they believe in the Lord must stop doing wrong.”
But even before her twins were born, before they’d done anything good or bad, Rebekah was told, “The older son will serve the younger one.” This shows that God’s purpose was based firmly on his own choice, not on anything the children did.
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.
To the members of God’s church in Corinth. You have been made holy in Christ Jesus, and you’ve been called to be his holy people together with all those everywhere who pray to our Lord Jesus Christ, who is their Lord and ours.
I’m amazed that after such a short time, you’re abandoning the one who called you to live in the grace of Christ. You’re turning to a different “good news”—
That’s why Christ is the mediator of a new covenant. Now the people that God has called to himself can receive the eternal gift he promised. They can receive it because Christ has died to pay the price and set them free from the sins they committed under the first covenant.
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.
If someone does something wrong to you or insults you, don’t do the same thing to them. Instead, respond with kind words. This is what God wants you to do so that you can receive a blessing.