THE ONE WHO WANTS TO ENJOY LIFE AND SEE GOOD DAYS ,
HE MUST TURN AWAY FROM WICKEDNESS AND DO WHAT IS RIGHT.
HE MUST SEARCH FOR PEACE [with God, with self, with others] AND PURSUE IT EAGERLY [actively--not merely desiring it].
FOR THE EYES OF THE LORD ARE [looking favorably] UPON THE RIGHTEOUS (the upright),
AND HIS EARS ARE ATTENTIVE TO THEIR PRAYER (eager to answer),
BUT THE FACE OF THE LORD IS AGAINST THOSE WHO PRACTICE EVIL. (1Peter 3:11-12)
Be kind and helpful to one another, tender-hearted [compassionate, understanding], forgiving one another [readily and freely], just as God in Christ also forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32) Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful. (Luke 6:31-33,36) But in your hearts set Christ apart [as holy--acknowledging Him, giving Him first place in your lives] as Lord. Always be ready to give a [logical] defense to anyone who asks you to account for the hope and confident assurance [elicited by faith] that is within you, yet [do it] with gentleness and respect. (1Peter 3:15) So then, while we [as individual believers] have the opportunity, let us do good to all people [not only being helpful, but also doing that which promotes their spiritual well-being], and especially [be a blessing] to those of the household of faith (born-again believers). (Galatians 2:10) For there is no good tree that produces bad fruit, nor, on the other hand, a bad tree which produces good fruit. Each tree is known and identified by its own fruit. For figs are not picked from thorn bushes, nor is a cluster of grapes picked from a briar bush. The [intrinsically] good man produces what is good and honorable and moral out of the good treasure [stored] in his heart; and the [intrinsically] evil man produces what is wicked and depraved out of the evil [in his heart]; for his mouth speaks from the overflow of his heart. (Luke 6:43-45) Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for the tree is recognized and judged by its fruit. The good man, from his [inner] good treasure, brings out good things; and the evil man, from his [inner] evil treasure, brings out evil things. (Matthew 12:33,35) But the fruit of the Spirit [the result of His presence within us] is love [unselfish concern for others], joy, [inner] peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. If we [claim to] live by the [Holy] Spirit, we must also walk by the Spirit [with personal integrity, godly character, and moral courage--our conduct empowered by the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23,25)
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