HelpFromAbove

"Help From Above" is a collection of related verses of Scripture by subjects from various parts of the Bible. I believe the best commentary on Scripture is the Bible itself.

God's Word comes "from above" and is indeed very helpful to hearts that hunger and thirst after righteousness. When a person repents, forsakes sin, invites the Lord Jesus Christ to dwell in his heart, and believes with all his heart on the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior, the Lord will manifest Himself to him and impart His own joy and peace to the believer's heart. I experienced this in 1937 and have enjoyed wonderful fellowship with the Lord ever since. I urge you to surrender to Him as your Savior and Lord NOW if you have not done so already. —Watson Goodman

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The Bible text used is from the New King James Version. Copyright 1979, 1980, 1982, Thomas Nelson Inc., Publishers. Used by permission.


THE LOVE OF GOD — page 1

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. —Romans 5:8

Now before the feast of the Passover, when Jesus knew that His hour had come that He should depart from this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. —John 13:1

"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends. " —John 15:13

And from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood. —Revelation 1:5

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." —John 3:16

The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: "Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you."—Jeremiah 31:3


THE DEITY OF JESUS CHRIST — page 2

And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up in glory. —1 Timothy 3:16

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, ...full of grace and truth.—John 1:1 and 14

Now all this was done that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the Lord through the prophet, saying: "Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and bear a Son, and they shall call His name Immanuel," which is translated, "God with us." —Matthew 1:22, 23

"I and My Father are one." —John 10:30

Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, `Show us the Father?' Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works." —John 14:9, 10


JESUS THE SON OF GOD — page 3

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. —1 John 4:15

And the angel answered and said to her, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Highest will overshadow you; therefore, also, that Holy One who is to be born will be called the Son of God." —Luke 1:35

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. —Isaiah 9:6

While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!" —Matthew 17:5

He answered and said, "Who is He, Lord, that I may believe in Him?" And Jesus said to him "You have both seen Him [the Son of God] and it is He who is talking with you." —John 9:36, 37

For in Him [Christ Jesus] dwells all the fullness of the God-head bodily. —Colossians 2:9


JESUS TELLS US WHO HE IS — page 4

And He said to them, "You are from beneath; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world." Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." —John 8:23 and 58

The woman said to Him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When He comes, He will tell us all things." Jesus said to her, "I who speak to you am He." —John 4:25, 26

And Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst." —John 9:5

As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world." —John 6:35

Then Jesus said to them again, "Most assuredly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep." —John 10:7

Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live." —John 11:25

"You call Me Teacher and Lord, and you say well, for so I am."—John 13:13

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." —John 14:6


SOME MIRACLES JESUS DID — page 5

Then He commanded the multitudes to sit down on the grass. And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up to heaven, He blessed and broke and gave the loaves to the disciples; and the disciples gave to the multitudes. So they all ate and were filled, and they took up twelve baskets full of the fragments that remained. Now those who had eaten were about five thousand men, besides women and children. —Matthew 14:19-21

But Simon answered and said to Him, "Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net." And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. —Luke 5:5, 6

And behold, two blind men sitting by the road, when they heard that Jesus was passing by, cried out, saying, "Have mercy on us, O Lord, Son Of David!" So Jesus ...said, "What do you want Me to do for you?" They said to Him, "Lord, that our eyes may be opened." So Jesus had compassion and touched their eyes. And immediately their eyes received sight, and they followed Him.—Matthew 20:30 and 32b-34


JESUS CHRIST IS CREATOR AND LORD — page 6

God who created all things through Jesus Christ. —Ephesians 3:9b

For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. —Colossians 1:16

All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. —John 1:3

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:11

God...has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds. —Hebrews 1:1a, 2

"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." —Acts 2:36

For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. —Romans 14:9

God is faithful, by whom you were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. —1 Corinthians 1:9


JESUS CHRIST IS JUDGE OF ALL — page 7

But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. —Romans 14:10

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom. —2 Timothy 4:1

"When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the holy angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and he will separate them one from another, as a shepherd divides his sheep from the goats." —Matthew 25:31-32

"For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son." —John 5:22

In the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel. —Romans 2:16

"And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained by God to be Judge of the living and the dead." —Acts 10:42


REDEMPTION ONLY THROUGH CHRIST — page 8

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out nd find pasture." —John 10:9

Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me." —John 14:6

"Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins." —John 8:24

And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him. —Hebrews 5:9

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. —Romans 3:23, 24

Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He ever lives to make intercession for them. —Hebrews 7:25

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." —Acts 4:12

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. —1 Thessalonians 5:9


REDEMPTION ONLY THROUGH CHRIST — page 9

But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God ­and righteousness and sanctification and redemption. —1 Corinthians 1:30

Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works. —Titus 2:14

Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. He has delivered us from the power of darkness and translated us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. —Colossians 1:12-14

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost." —Luke 19:10

And they sang a new song, saying: "You are worthy to take the scroll, and to open its seals; for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation." —Revelation 5:9

And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. —Ephesians 5:2


THE ATONEMENT OF CHRIST'S BLOOD — page 10

Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. —Romans 5:9

In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. —Ephesians 1:7

"For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." —Matthew 26:28

Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot. —1 Peter 1:18, 19

But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. —1 John 1:7

How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? —Hebrews 9:14

We also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation. —Romans 5:11b


SALVATION BY FAITH IN CHRIST — page 11

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. —Ephesians 2:8, 9

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. —Romans 5:1

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love. —Galatians 5:6

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved...."—Acts 16:31b

For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.  And this is the victory that has overcome the world — our faith. —1 John 5:4

Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?" Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent." —John 6:28, 29

But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. —John 20:31


GOD'S MERCY — page 12

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort. —2 Corinthians 1:3

Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over the transgression of the remnant of His heritage? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in mercy. —Micah 7:18

For Your mercy is great above the heavens, and Your truth reaches to the clouds. —Psalm 108:4

Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness. —Lamentations 3:22,23

For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children's children. —Psalm 103:11, 17

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.—Titus 3:5


GOD INVITES US TO COME TO HIM — page 13

"Come now, and let us reason together," says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall be as wool." —Isaiah 1:18

And the Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" And let him who hears say, "Come!" And let him who thirsts come. And whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely. —Revelation 22:17

"Ho! Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." —Isaiah 55:1

On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink." —John 7:37

But when Jesus saw it, He was greatly displeased and said to them, "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them; for of such is the kingdom of God." —Mark 10:14

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." —Matthew 11:28


NOT ALL PEOPLE ARE GOD'S CHILDREN — page 14

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. —1 John 3:10

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, "Abba, Father." —Romans 8:14, 15

That you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world. —Philippians 2:15

Therefore "Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you. I will be a Father to you."—2 Corinthians 6:17, 18a

VBut as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. —John 1:12


WHAT GOD SAYS ABOUT STRONG DRINK — page 15

Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish, ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.—Galatians 5:19-21

Let us walk properly, as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not in licentiousness and lewdness, not in strife and envy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts. —Romans 13:13, 14

Woe to those who rise early in the morning, that they may follow intoxicating drink; who continue until night, till wine inflames them! —Isaiah 5:11

Do not look on the wine when it is red, when it sparkles in the cup, when it swirls around smoothly; at the last it bites like a serpent, and stings like a viper. —Proverbs 23:31, 32

Wine is a mocker, intoxicating drink arouses brawling, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise. —Proverbs 20:1


SINCERITY IS NOT ENOUGH — page 16

Jesus said to him, "`You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment." —Matthew 22:37, 38

"Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" So Jesus said to him, "Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. You know the commandments: `Do not commit adultery,' `Do not murder,' `Do not steal,' `Do not bear false witness,' `Do not defraud,' `Honor your father and your mother.'" And he answered and said to Him, "Teacher, all these I have observed from my youth." Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, "One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me." But he was sad at this word, and went away grieved, for he had great possessions. —Mark 10:17b-22

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. —Proverbs 16:25


BE NOT DECEIVED — page 17

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. —Galatians 6:7

Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous. He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. —1 John 3:7, 8a

Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. —1 Corinthians 6:9, 10

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. —Ephesians 5:6

But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.—James 1:22

For if anyone thinks himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself. —Galatians 6:3

"For many will come in My name, saying, `I am the Christ,' and will deceive many." —Matthew 24:5


SIN BRINGS DEATH — page 18

Therefore, just as through one man sin entered the world, and death through sin, and thus death spread to all men, because all sinned. —Romans 5:12

Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. —James 1:15

For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. —Romans 8:6, 7

"The soul who sins shall die. The son shall not bear the guilt of the father, nor the father bear the guilt of the son. The righteousness of the righteous shall be upon himself, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon himself." —Ezekiel 18:20

"`It was right that we should make merry and be glad, for your brother was dead and is alive again, and was lost and is found.'" —Luke 15:32

As righteousness leads to life, so he who pursues evil pursues it to hisown death. —Proverbs 11:19

For the wages of sin is death. —Romans 6:23a


CHRIST CONQUERED DEATH — page 19

And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead. —Romans 1:4

Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice,"Lazarus, come forth!" And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth. Jesus said to them, "Loose him, and let him go." —John 11:43, 44

"Therefore My Father loves Me, because I lay down My life that I may take it again. No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This command I have received from My Father." —John 10:17, 18

Then He came and touched the open coffin, and those who carried him stood still. And He said, "Young man, I say to you, arise." And he who was dead sat up and began to speak. —Luke 7:14, 15a

"I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death." —Revelation 1:18

The last enemy that will be destroyed is death. —1 Corinthians 15:26


THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD — page 20

"[The LORD said,] `You shall have no other gods before Me.

`You shall not make for yourself any carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth; you shall not bow down to them nor serve them....

`You shall not take the name of the LORD your God in vain, for the LORD will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.

`Observe the Sabbath day, to keep it holy, as the LORD your God commanded you. Six days you shall labor and do all your work ....

`Honor your father and your mother, as the LORD your God has commanded you....

`You shall not murder.

`You shall not commit adultery.

`You shall not steal.

`You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.

`You shall not covet your neighbor's wife; and you shall not desire your neighbor's house, his field, his manservant, his maidservant, his ox, his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's.'" —Deuteronomy 5:7-21


YOU CANNOT HIDE FROM GOD — page 21

"For His eyes are on the ways of man, and He sees all his steps. There is no darkness nor shadow of death where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves." —Job 34:21, 22

"Can anyone hide himself in secret places, so I shall not see him?" says the LORD; "Do I not fill heaven and earth?" says the LORD.—Jeremiah 23:24

Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence? If I ascend into Heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You, but the night shines as the day; the darkness and the light are both alike to You. —Psalm 139:7, 8 and 12

The eyes of the LORD are in every place. —Proverbs 15:3a

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. —Hebrews 4:13

"For nothing is secret that will not be revealed, nor anything hidden that will not be known and come to light." —Luke 8:17


EVERLASTING PUNISHMENT OF THE UNGODLY — page 22

"The Son of Man will send out His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all things that offend, and those who practice lawlessness, and will cast them into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth."—Matthew 13:41, 42

The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. —Psalm 9:17

But the heavens and the earth which now exist are kept in store by the same word, reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.—2 Peter 3:7

These shall be punished with destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. —2 Thessalonians 1:9

"And if your hand or foot causes you to sin, cut it off and cast it from you. It is better for you to enter into life lame or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet, to be cast into the everlasting fire." —Matthew 18:8

"And these will go away into everlasting punishment, but the righteous into eternal life." —Matthew 25:46


JUDGMENT AHEAD — page 23

"Because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." —Acts 17:31

Then the Lord knows how to deliver the godly out of temptations and to reserve the unjust under punishment for the day of judgment. —2 Peter 2:9

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each on may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. —2 Corinthians 5:10

Love has been perfected among us in this: that we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world. —1 John 4:17

And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment.—Hebrews 9:27

And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works. —Revelation 20:12a

So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. —Romans 14:12


THE GRACE OF JESUS CHRIST — page 24

But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abounded to many. —Romans 5:15

So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. —Romans 9:16

"God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."—1 Peter 5:5b

For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become rich.—2 Corinthians 8:9

But where sin abounded, grace abounded much more, so that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. —Romans 5:20b, 21

And with great power the apostles gave witness to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And great grace was upon them all. —Acts 4:33


REPENTANCE — page 25

"Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent." —Acts 17:30

"I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." —Luke 13:3

And saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!"—Matthew 3:2

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord." —Acts 2:38; 3:19

"Cast away from you all the transgressions which you have committed." —Ezekiel 18:31a

He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. —Proverbs 28:13

For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death. —2 Corinthians 7:10


THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS — page 26

"But if a wicked man turns from all his sins which he has committed, keeps all My statutes, and does what is lawful and right, he shall surely live; he shall not die." —Ezekiel 18:21

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me."—Revelation 3:20

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon. —Isaiah 55:7

"For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." —Matthew 6:14

When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Son, your sins are forgiven you." —Mark 2:5

"Through this Man [Jesus] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins." —Acts 13:38b; 5:31

"And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." —Luke 24:47


SEPARATION FROM WORLDLINESS — page 27

For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age. —Titus 2:11, 12

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.—Colossians 3:2

And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. —Ephesians 5:11

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world. —1 John 2:15, 16

Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. —James 4:4

"Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes. Cease to do evil." —Isaiah 1:16


THE NEW BIRTH — page 28

"I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh."—Ezekiel 36:26

If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him. We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him. —1 John 2:29; 5:18

But you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. —1 Corinthians 6:11b

Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." —John 3:3

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. —2 Corinthians 5:17

Having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever. —1 Peter 1:23


DEAD TO SIN — RISEN IN CHRIST — page 29

And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins.  And raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.—Ephesians 2:1 and 6

Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by whose stripes you were healed.—1 Peter 2:24

If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God.  Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.  For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.  When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory. —Colossians 3:1-4

And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.  If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.—Galatians 5:24,25

Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it? Likewise you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. —Romans 6:2 and 11


ETERNAL LIFE — page 30

For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. —Galatians 6:8

"And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life." —John 3:14, 15

"And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent." —John 17:3

"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."—John 3:36

...The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 6:23

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." —John 5:24

His own purpose and grace... has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. —2 Timothy 1:9b, 10


ASSURANCE OF SALVATION — page 31

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. —Romans 8:16

And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life. —1 John 5:11-13a

"He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him." —John 14:21

The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever. —Isaiah 32:17

And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, "Abba, Father!" —Galatians 4:6

By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit. —1 John 4:13

Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.—1 John 2:3


THE INDWELLING CHRIST GIVES JOY — page 32

"But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves." —John 17:13

"I will see you again and your heart will rejoice, and your joy no one will take from you." —John 16:22b

For the kingdom of God is not food and drink, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. —Romans 14:17

Therefore with joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.—Isaiah 12:3

"I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me." —Galatians 2:20

"These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full." —John 15:11

You will show me the path of life; in Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. —Psalm 16:11

Whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory. —1 Peter 1:8


OBEDIENCE TO THE LORD NECESSARY — page 33

"However, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then the hand of the LORD will be against you, as it was against your fathers." —1 Samuel 12:15

Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one's slaves whom you obey, whether of sin to death, or of obedience to righteousness? —Romans 6:16

And to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power. —2 Thessalonians 1:7-9

"Behold, I set before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God." —Deuteronomy 11:26-28a


CONFESSION OF CHRIST NECESSARY — page 34

And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. —Philippians 2:11

"Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." —Matthew 10:32, 33

By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God. —1 John 4:2

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God. —1 John 4:15

That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. —Romans 10:9, 10

Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father either; he who acknowledges the Son has the Father also. —1 John 2:23

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father's, and of the holy angels." —Luke 9:26


SATAN — OUR ARCH ENEMY — page 35

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith. —1 Peter 5:8, 9a

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. Then Jesus said to him "Away with you, Satan! For it is written, `You shall worship the LORD your God, and Him only you shall serve.'" Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. —Matthew 4:1 and 10, 11

Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. —Ephesians 6:10, 11

For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds. —2 Corinthians 10:4

He [the devil] was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him....he is a liar and the father of it.—John 8:44b

I also forgive...lest Satan should take advantage of us. —2 Corinthians 2:10b, 11a


VICTORY OVER SATAN — page 36

Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil. —Hebrews 2:14

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil. —1 John 3:8

"To open their eyes and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me." —Acts 26:18

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. —Romans 8:35 and 37

Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. —James 4:7, 8a

Now is the judgment of this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out. —John 12:31


LOVE, THE TEST OF DISCIPLESHIP — page 37

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become as sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. —1 Corinthians 13:1

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. —Galatians 5:22, 23a

He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." —John 21:16

"If you love Me, keep My commandments." —John 14:15

If someone says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, how can he love God whom he has not seen? —1 John 4:20

"By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another." —John 13:35

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. —1 John 3:14

For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments. And His commandments are not burdensome. —1 John 5:3


THE RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST — page 38

Now when He rose early on the first day of the week, He appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom He had cast seven demons. —Mark 16:9

Who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. —Romans 4:25

"And we are witnesses of all things which He did both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem, whom they killed by hanging on a tree. Him God raised up on the third day, and showed Him openly, not to all the people, but to witnesses chosen before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He arose from the dead." —Acts 10:39-41

And after eight days His disciples were again inside, and Thomas with them. Jesus came, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, "Peace to you!" Then He said to Thomas, "Reach your finger here, and look at My hands; and reach your hand here, and put it into My side. Do not be unbelieving, but believing." And Thomas answered and said to Him, "My Lord and my God!" —John 20:26-28


THE RESURRECTION, OUR GLORIOUS HOPE — page 39

"The hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live." —John 5:25b

"Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth. Those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation." —John 28-29

Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection. —Romans 6:3-5

And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. —Romans 8:10, 11


HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD — page 40

For He has visited and redeemed His people,...to grant us that we, being delivered from the hand of our enemies, might serve Him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before Him all the days of our life." —Luke 1:68b, 74, 75

Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. —2 Corinthians 7:1

Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. —1 Thessalonians 4:1-4, 7

But as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy." —1 Peter 1:15, 16


HOLINESS UNTO THE LORD — page 41

Therefore Jesus also, that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered outside the gate. —Hebrews 13:12

Just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love,... and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in righteousness and true holiness. —Ephesians 1:4; 4:24

A highway shall be there, and a road, and it shall be called the Highway of Holiness. The unclean shall not pass over it, but it shall be for others. Whoever walks the road, although a fool, shall not go astray. —Isaiah 35:8

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9

Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness. —2 Peter 3:11

Pursue peace with all men, and holiness, without which no one will see the Lord. —Hebrews 12:14


SPIRIT-FILLED MEN — page 42

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!" —Luke 11:13

And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness. —Acts 4:31

"I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them." —Ezekiel 36:27

But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. —Romans 8:9

"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me." —Acts 1:8a

For he was a good man, full of the Holy Spirit and of faith. —Acts 11:24a

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.—Acts 13:52

And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit. —Ephesians 5:18


WONDERFUL PROMISES TO CHRISTIANS — page 43

The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, and saves such as have a contrite spirit. —Psalm 34:18

"For all those things My hand has made, and all those things exist," says the LORD. "But on this one will I look: on him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at My word." —Isaiah 66:2

Jesus said to him, "If you can believe, all things are possible to him who believes." —Mark 9:23

Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. —1 Peter 4:12, 13

"And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying; and there shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away." —Revelation 21:4

"But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you." —Matthew 6:33


PROMISES TO THE TEMPTED — page 44

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted. —Hebrews 2:18

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly.—Romans 16:20a

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned. —Isaiah 43:2a

No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. —1 Corinthians 10:13

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all. —Psalm 34:19

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. —Romans 8:28

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. —Hebrews 4:15


PROMISES TO OVERCOMERS — page 45

"He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son." —Revelation 21:7

"He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name." —Revelation 3:12

"He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels." —Revelation 3:5

"To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne." —Revelation 3:21

"He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give to eat from the tree of life, which is in the midst of the Paradise of God." —Revelation 2:7

"And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations." —Revelation 2:26


GOD SPEAKS TO US ABOUT DIVORCE — page 46

Now to the married I command, yet not I but the Lord: A wife is not to depart from her husband. But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband. And a husband is not to divorce his wife. A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord. —1 Corinthians 7:10, 11, 39

For the woman who has a husband is bound by the law to her husband as long as he lives. But if the husband dies, she is released from the law of her husband. So then if, while her husband lives, she marries another man, she will be called an adulteress; but if her husband dies, she is free from that law, so that she is no adulteress, though she has married another man. —Romans 7:2, 3

"Whoever divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery; and whoever marries her who is divorced from her husband commits adultery."—Luke 16:18

"But I say to you that whoever divorces his wife for any reason except sexual immorality causes her to commit adultery." —Matthew 5:32a


JESUS CHRIST WILL RETURN TO EARTH — page 47

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." —John 14:3

"Then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory." —Matthew 24:30

"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father...." —Mark 8:38

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. —1 John 3:2, 3

"Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect." —Luke 12:40

"For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works." —Matthew 16:27


THE WORD OF GOD — page 48

"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away." —Luke 21:33

For prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit. —2 Peter 1:21

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness. —2 Timothy 3:16

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. —Psalm 119:105

PRAY AND FORGIVE

"In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. For if you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses." —Matthew 6:9-15


GOD'S WAY OF SALVATION

I need a Savior.

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. —Romans 3:23

But your iniquities have separated you from your God. —Isaiah 59:2a

Christ died for me.
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God. —1 Peter 3:18a

I need to repent of my sin.
He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy. —Proverbs 28:13

Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.—Acts 3:19a

I must receive Jesus by faith.
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name. —John 1:12

I can be sure of my salvation.
He who has the Son has life. —1 John 5:12a

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life." —John 5:24