Rm3:28For we
maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the
law. ..... 4:1What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather, discovered in
this matter? 2If, in
fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had
something to boast about--but not before God. 3What does the
Scripture say? "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as
righteousness. 4Now when a man works, his wages are not credited to him as a gift,
but as an obligation. 5However, to the man who does not work but
trusts God who justifies the wicked, his faith is credited as righteousness. 6David
says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God
credits righteousness apart from works:
7�Blessed are they
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
8Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord will never count
against him." (Psa32:1-2)
- NIV
Rm10:5For Moses writes about the righteousness that is based on the
law, that the person who does the commandments shall live by them. 6But
the righteousness based on faith says, "Do not say in your heart, 'Who will
ascend into heaven?'" (that is, to bring Christ down) 7or
"'Who will descend into the abyss?'" (that is, to bring Christ up from
the dead). 8But what does it say?
"The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the
word of faith that we proclaim); 9because,
if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10For
with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses
and is saved. 11For the Scripture
says, "Everyone [anyone] who believes [trusts] in him will not [will never] be put to shame." 12For
there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; the same
Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches
[blessings richly] on all who call on him. 13For
"everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." - ESV
Rm15:29I know that when I come to
you I will come in the fullness of the blessing
of Christ. - ESV
1Pet3:8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony with one another; be
sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble. 9Do
not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to
this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing.
10For,
"Whoever would love life
and see good days
must keep his tongue from evil
and his lips from deceitful
speech.
11He must turn from
evil and do good;
he must seek peace and pursue
it.
12For the
eyes of the Lord are on the righteous
and his ears are attentive to
their prayer,
but the face of the Lord is against those who do
evil." (Psa34:12-16) - NIV
1Pet3:13Now who is there [going] to harm you if you are zealous for
[to do] what is good?
14But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be
blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, 15but in your hearts
regard Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense [give an
answer] to
anyone who asks you for a [to give the] reason for the hope that is in you;
16yet
do it with gentleness and respect, having a good [keeping a clear] conscience, so that, when you
are slandered, those who revile3 your good behavior in Christ may be put to
shame. 17For it is better to suffer for doing good, if that should be
God's will, than for doing evil.
18For Christ also suffered
once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God,
being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit [by the Spirit], - ESV
3 - revile: to denounce with abusive language. ^
Also see: True Living
Challenge: True Life