The Pattern.

[I Witness]

We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.

So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.

For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night.

But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.

For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

 

[I Witness]

Now, brothers and sisters, acknowledge those who work hard among you, who care for you in the Lord and who admonish you.

Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work.

Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers and sisters, warn those who are idle and disruptive, encourage the disheartened, help the weak, be patient with everyone.

Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always strive to do what is good for each other and for everyone else.

 

[I Witness]

God is just:

He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well.

This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed.

This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.

 

[I Witness]

Hold on to the teachings

we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.

May our Lord Jesus Christ himself and God our Father, who loved us and by his grace gave us eternal encouragement and good hope, encourage your hearts and strengthen you in every good deed and word.

 

[I Witness]

Don’t be deceived

Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

He chose to give us birth through the word of truth,

that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.

 

[I Witness]

Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent

and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.

 

[I Witness]

Look!

The wages you failed to pay the workers who mowed your fields are crying out against you.

The cries of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord Almighty.

You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence.

You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.

You have condemned and murdered the innocent one.

 

[I Witness]

My brothers and sisters

If one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring that person back,

remember this:

Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

 

[I Witness]

As obedient children

●Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance.

But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”

 

[I Witness]

IN ALL CONGREGATIONS--IN ALL PLACES OF GATHERING

Two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. And if a revelation comes to someone who is sitting down, the first speaker should stop.

For you can all prophesy in turn so that everyone may be instructed and encouraged.

The spirits of prophets are subject to the control of prophets. (You are Gods children and his Spirit testifies to mans spirit)

For God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.

Women should remain silent in the churches. They are not allowed to speak, but must be in submission, as the law says.

If they want to inquire about something, they should ask their own husbands at home; for it is disgraceful for a woman to speak in the church.

 

[I Witness]

Or did the word of God originate with you? Or are you the only people it has reached?

If anyone thinks they are a prophet or otherwise gifted by the Spirit, let them acknowledge that what I am writing to you is the Lord’s command.

But if anyone ignores this, they will themselves be ignored.

 

[I Witness]

Proverbs 18:17

The one who states his case first seems right,
until the other comes and examines him.