Stewards of God's Grace
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Since therefore z Christ suffered in the flesh, a arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for b whoever has suffered in the flesh c has ceased from sin,
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d so as to live for e the rest of the time in the flesh f no longer for human passions but g for the will of God.
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For the time that is past h suffices i for doing what the Gentiles want to do, living in sensuality, passions, drunkenness, orgies, drinking parties, and lawless idolatry.
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With respect to this they are surprised when you do not join them in the same flood of j debauchery, and k they malign you;
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but they will give account to him who is ready l to judge the living and the dead.
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For this is why m the gospel was preached even to those who are dead, that though judged in the flesh the way people are, they might live in the spirit the way God does.
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n The end of all things is at hand; therefore o be self-controlled and sober-minded p for the sake of your prayers.
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Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since q love covers a multitude of sins.
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r Show hospitality to one another without grumbling.
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s As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, t as good stewards of God's varied grace:
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whoever speaks, as one who speaks u oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves v by the strength that God supplies - in order that in everything w God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. x To him belong glory and y dominion forever and ever. Amen.
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:18
For 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.
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Cross References
Ephesians 6:13
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.
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Cross References
Romans 6:2
By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?
Romans 6:7
For one who has died has been set free from sin.
Galatians 5:24
And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Colossians 3:3
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.
Colossians 3:5
Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
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Cross References
2 Peter 2:14
They have eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin. They entice unsteady souls. They have hearts trained in greed. Accursed children!
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Cross References
Romans 6:14
For sin will have no dominion over you, since you are not under law but under grace.
Romans 14:7
For none of us lives to himself, and none of us dies to himself.
2 Corinthians 5:15
And he died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.
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Cross References
1 Peter 1:14
As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance.
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Cross References
Titus 2:12
Training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age.
1 John 2:16
For all that is in the world - the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions - is not from the Father but is from the world.
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Cross References
Romans 6:11
So you also must consider yourselves dead to sin and alive to God in Christ Jesus.
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Cross References
Ezekiel 44:6
And say to the rebellious house, to the house of Israel, Thus says the Lord God : O house of Israel, enough of all your abominations.
Ezekiel 45:9
Thus says the Lord God : Enough, O princes of Israel! Put away violence and oppression, and execute justice and righteousness. Cease your evictions of my people, declares the Lord God.
Acts 17:30
The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.
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Cross References
Ephesians 4:17 - 19
Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds.
1 Thessalonians 4:5
Not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God.
1 Corinthians 12:2
You know that when you were pagans you were led astray to mute idols, however you were led.
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Cross References
Ephesians 5:18
And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.
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Cross References
1 Peter 2:12
Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.
1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
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Cross References
James 5:9
Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door.
Acts 10:42
And he commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one appointed by God to be judge of the living and the dead.
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Cross References
1 Peter 3:19
In which he went and proclaimed to the spirits in prison.
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Cross References
James 5:8
You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.
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Cross References
1 Peter 1:13
Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
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Cross References
Matthew 26:41
Watch and pray that you may not enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.
Luke 21:36
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 13:5 - 6
Or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful.
James 5:20
Let him know that whoever brings back a sinner from his wandering will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.
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Cross References
Hebrews 13:2
Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.
1 Timothy 3:2
Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.
Titus 1:8
But hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined.
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Cross References
Romans 12:6 - 7
Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith.
1 Corinthians 4:7
For who sees anything different in you? What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?
Matthew 25:15
To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
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Cross References
Luke 12:42
And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager, whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?
1 Corinthians 4:1 - 2
This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.
Titus 1:7
For an overseer, as God's steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain.
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Cross References
Acts 7:38
This is the one who was in the congregation in the wilderness with the angel who spoke to him at Mount Sinai, and with our fathers. He received living oracles to give to us.
Romans 3:2
Much in every way. To begin with, the Jews were entrusted with the oracles of God.
Hebrews 5:12
For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food.
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Cross References
Romans 12:3
For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
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Cross References
1 Corinthians 10:31
So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
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Cross References
Romans 11:36
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be glory forever. Amen.
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Cross References
1 Peter 5:11
To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Jude 1:25
To the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen.
Revelation 1:6
And made us a kingdom, priests to his God and Father, to him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:13
And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!
English Standard Version (ESV) The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers.