Rm8:31 ... If God is for us,
who can be against us? 32He who did not spare
his own Son, but gave him up for us all--how will he not also, along with him,
graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring
any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who
is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died � more than that, who was raised
to life � is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who
shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or
persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As
it is written:
"For your sake we face death all day long;
we are considered as sheep to be
slaughtered." (Psa44:22)
37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who
loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither
death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future,
nor any powers, 39neither height nor depth, nor
anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God
that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - NIV
Rm12:9Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.
10Be
devoted to one another in brotherly love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11Never
be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13Share
with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality. 14Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
15Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16Live in harmony
with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of
low position. Do not be
conceited. 17Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right
in the eyes of everybody. 18If it is possible, as far as it depends
on you, live at peace with everyone. 19Do not take revenge, my
friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,"
says the Lord. 20On the contrary:
"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something
to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." (Pro25:21-22)
21Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. - NIV
1Pet2:18Servants, be subject [submit] to your masters with all respect, not only to
the good and gentle but also to the unjust. 19For this is a gracious
[commendable]
thing, when, mindful of God, one endures sorrows while suffering unjustly.
20For what credit is it if, when you sin and are beaten for it, you
endure? But if when you do good and suffer for it you endure, this is a
gracious [commendable] thing in the sight of God. 21For to this you have been called,
because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might
follow in his steps.
22"He committed no sin, neither was deceit found
in his mouth." (Isa53:9)
23When he was
reviled [insulted], he did not revile in return [retaliate];
when he suffered, he did not threaten, but continued entrusting himself to him
who judges justly. 24He himself bore our sins in his body on the
tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have
been healed. 25For you were straying like sheep, but have now
returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls. - ESV
Also see: Rejoicing in Sufferings -
Benefits and God Tests Us
and Facing Persecution
and Standing Firm in Faith
Challenge: True Life