Straining Toward the Goal

¹² Not that I have already ^(A)obtained this or ^(B)am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own.

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

¹¹ But as for you, ^(A)O man of God, ^(B)flee these things. ^(C)Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ^12 (D)Fight the good fight of the faith. ^(E)Take hold of the eternal life ^(F)to which you were called and about which you made ^(G)the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

⁵ For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith ^(A)with virtue,^[a] and virtue ^(B)with knowledge, ⁶ and knowledge with self-control, and self-control ^(C)with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, ⁷ and godliness ^(D)with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection ^(E)with love. ⁸ For if these qualities^[b] are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or ^(F)unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

¹³ Now ^(A)who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good?

7 Since we have these promises, beloved, ^(A)let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body^[a] and spirit, bringing holiness to completion in the fear of God.

The Lord's Comfort for Zion

^4 (A)even as he ^(B)chose us in him ^(C)before the foundation of the world, that we should be ^(D)holy and blameless before him. In love