When you fast, wash your face and beautify yourself with oil,

Master: Excellent. You’ve proved yourself not only clever but loyal. You’ve executed a rather small task masterfully, so now I am going to put you in charge of something larger. But before you go back to work, come join my great feast and celebration.

Master: Excellent. You’ve proved yourself not only clever but loyal. You’ve executed a rather small task masterfully, so now I am going to put you in charge of something larger. But before you go back to work, come join my great feast and celebration.

But Jesus is not here. He was raised, just as He said He would be. Come over to the grave, and see for yourself.

When people bring you up on charges and it is your time to defend yourself, don’t worry about what message you’ll deliver. Whatever comes to your mind, speak it, because the Holy Spirit will inspire it.

Listen, if you lift yourself up, you’ll be put down, but if you humble yourself, you’ll be honored.

Wouldn’t you be more likely to say, “First, cook my supper and set the table, and then after I’ve eaten, you can get something to eat and drink for yourself”?

One of the criminals joined in the cruel talk. Cynical Criminal: You’re supposed to be the Anointed One, right? Well—do it! Rescue Yourself and us!

Pharisees: Jesus, what You are claiming about Yourself cannot possibly be true. The only person bearing witness is You.

The Other Judas: Lord, why will You reveal Yourself to us, but not to the world?

Agrippa: Paul, have you so quickly moved on from defending yourself to trying to persuade me to become a Christian?

So here is how to picture yourself now that you have been initiated into Jesus the Anointed: you are dead to sin’s power and influence, but you are alive to God’s rule.

Doesn’t it make sense that if you sign yourself over as a slave, you will have to obey your master? The question before you is, What will be your master? Will it be sin—which will lead to certain death—or obedience—which will lead to a right and reconciled life?

because otherwise, if you eat and drink without properly discerning the significance of the Lord’s body, then you eat and drink a mouthful of judgment upon yourself.

And understand this: if you choose to be circumcised, then you will oblige yourself to do every single rule of the law for the rest of your life.

Don’t take this opportunity to think you are better than those who slip because you aren’t; then you become the fool and deceive even yourself.

Brothers and sisters, you yourselves know that our coming to you was not a waste of time.

Take care of yourself, concentrate on your teaching, and stick with these things. If you do, then you will be effective in bringing salvation to yourself and all who hear you.

Excuse yourself from any conversations that turn into foolish and uninformed debates because you know they only provoke fights.

As the Lord’s slave, you shouldn’t exhaust yourself in bickering; instead, be gentle—no matter who you are dealing with—ready and able to teach, tolerant without resentment,

If you put yourself on a pedestal, thinking you have become a role model in all things religious, but you can’t control your mouth, then think again. Your mouth exposes your heart, and your religion is useless.

Remember His call, and live by the royal law found in Scripture: love others as you love yourself. You’ll be doing very well if you can get this down.

Lay yourself bare, facedown to the ground, in humility before the Lord; and He will lift your head so you can stand tall.

Brothers and sisters, don’t waste your breath complaining about one another. If you judge others, you will be judged yourself. Be very careful! You will face the one true Judge who is right outside the door.

If you are a slave, submit yourself to the master who has authority over you, whether he is kind and gentle or harsh as he deals with you.