The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord

A Psalm of David.

Matthias Chosen^(A)

¹⁵ And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the ^[a]disciples (altogether the number ^(B)of names was about a hundred and twenty), and said, ¹⁶ “Men and brethren, this Scripture had to be fulfilled, ^(C)which the Holy Spirit spoke before by the mouth of David concerning Judas, ^(D)who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus; ¹⁷ for ^(E)he was numbered with us and obtained a part in ^(F)this ministry.”

^18 (G)(Now this man purchased a field with ^(H)the ^[b]wages of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst open in the middle and all his ^[c]entrails gushed out. ¹⁹ And it became known to all those dwelling in Jerusalem; so that field is called in their own language, Akel Dama, that is, Field of Blood.)

²⁰ “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

and,

²¹ “Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, ²² beginning from the baptism of John to that day when ^(K)He was taken up from us, one of these must ^(L)become a witness with us of His resurrection.”

²³ And they proposed two: Joseph called ^(M)Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias. ²⁴ And they prayed and said, “You, O Lord, ^(N)who know the hearts of all, show which of these two You have chosen ^25 (O)to take part in this ministry and apostleship from which Judas by transgression fell, that he might go to his own place.” ²⁶ And they cast their lots, and the lot fell on Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven apostles.

¹³ Brethren, I do not count myself to have ^[a]apprehended; but one thing I do, ^(A)forgetting those things which are behind and ^(B)reaching forward to those things which are ahead, ^14 (C)I press toward the goal for the prize of ^(D)the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

¹⁵ Therefore let us, as many as are ^(E)mature, ^(F)have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, ^(G)God will reveal even this to you. ¹⁶ Nevertheless, to the degree that we have already ^[b]attained, ^(H)let us walk ^(I)by the same ^[c]rule, let us be of the same mind.

Our Citizenship in Heaven

¹⁷ Brethren, ^(J)join in following my example, and note those who so walk, as ^(K)you have us for a pattern. ¹⁸ For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are ^(L)the enemies of the cross of Christ: ^19 (M)whose end is destruction, ^(N)whose god is their belly, and ^(O)whose glory is in their shame—^(P)who set their mind on earthly things. ²⁰ For ^(Q)our citizenship is in heaven, ^(R)from which we also ^(S)eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ^21 (T)who will transform our lowly body that it may be ^(U)conformed to His glorious body, ^(V)according to the working by which He is able even to ^(W)subdue all things to Himself.

The True Vine

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser.

⁶ If anyone does not abide in Me, ^(A)he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. ⁷ If you abide in Me, and My words ^(B)abide in you, ^(C)you^[a] will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. ^8 (D)By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; ^(E)so you will be My disciples.

Love and Joy Perfected

⁹ “As the Father ^(F)loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. ^10 (G)If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.

¹¹ “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and ^(H)that your joy may be full. ^12 (I)This is My ^(J)commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. ^13 (K)Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends. ^14 (L)You are My friends if you do whatever I command you. ¹⁵ No longer do I call you servants, for a servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, ^(M)for all things that I heard from My Father I have made known to you. ^16 (N)You did not choose Me, but I chose you and ^(O)appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father ^(P)in My name He may give you.