Study Desk

God did this according to his eternal plan. And he was able to do what he had planned because of all that Christ Jesus our Lord had done.

and that Christ will live in your hearts because of your faith. Stand firm and be deeply rooted in his love.

of the body. Christ holds it together and makes all of its parts work perfectly, as it grows and becomes strong because of love.

Instead, be kind and merciful, and forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.

You used to be like people living in the dark, but now you are people of the light because you belong to the Lord. So act like people of the light

because we are each part of his body.

This is because you have taken part with me in spreading the good news from the first day you heard about it.

The Roman guards and all the others know that I am here in jail because I serve Christ.

Some are preaching about Christ because they are jealous and envious of us. Others are preaching because they want to help.

because I know that your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Christ Jesus will keep me safe.

It is a hard choice to make. I want to die and be with Christ, because that would be much better.

Then, when I visit you again, you will have good reason to take great pride in Christ Jesus because of me.

but now he is eager to see you. He is worried, because you heard he was sick.

But we are the ones who are truly circumcised, because we worship by the power of God's Spirit and take pride in Christ Jesus. We don't brag about what we have done,

and to know that I belong to him. I could not make myself acceptable to God by obeying the Law of Moses. God accepted me simply because of my faith in Christ.

I run toward the goal, so that I can win the prize of being called to heaven. This is the prize that God offers because of what Christ Jesus has done.

Always be glad because of the Lord! I will say it again: Be glad.

Then, because you belong to Christ Jesus, God will bless you with peace that no one can completely understand. And this peace will control the way you think and feel.

Give my greetings to all who are God's people because of Christ Jesus. The Lord's followers here with me send you their greetings.

because what you hope for is kept safe for you in heaven. You first heard about this hope when you believed the true message, which is the good news.