^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

^Rm15:8For I tell you that Christ became a servant to the circumcised [Jews] to show God's truthfulness, in order to confirm the promises given to the patriarchs, ⁹and in order that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written,

   "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles,
       and sing to your name." (2Sam22:50; Psa18:49)
¹⁰And again it is said,
   "Rejoice, O Gentiles, with his people." (Deu32:43)
¹¹And again,
   "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles,
       and let all the peoples extol him." (Psa117:1)
¹²And again Isaiah says,
   "The root of Jesse will come,
       even he who arises to rule the Gentiles [nations];
   in him will the Gentiles hope." (Isa11:10)

¹³May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing [as you trust in him], so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. - ESV

^Rm9:30What shall we say, then? That [the] Gentiles[,] who did not pursue righteousness[,] have attained it, that is, a righteousness that is by faith; ³¹but that Israel who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law [it]. ³²Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, ³³as it is written,

   "Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling [that causes men to stumble],
       and a rock of offense [that makes them fall];
    and whoever believes [trusts] in him will not be put to shame." (Isa8:14,28:16) - ESV

^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

^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

^1Pet4:12Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery [painful] trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. ¹³But rejoice insofar as [that] you share Christ's sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed. ¹⁴If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. ¹⁵But let none of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. ¹⁶Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that [he bears that] name. ¹⁷For it is time for judgment to begin at the household of God; and if it begins with us, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God? ¹⁸And

    "If the righteous is scarcely saved,
        what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?" (Pro11:31)

¹⁹Therefore let those who suffer according to God's will entrust their souls to a [their] faithful Creator while doing [continuing to do] good. - ESV

Faith   and   Love

Challenge:  True Life

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