Chosen, Favored and Abiding in Him

And this is how we know [daily, by experience] that we have come to know Him [to understand Him and be more deeply acquainted with Him]: if we habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings). Whoever says, “I have come to know Him,” but does not habitually keep [focused on His precepts and obey] His commandments (teachings), is a liar, and the truth [of the divine word] is not in him. But whoever habitually keeps His word and obeys His precepts [and treasures His message in its entirety], in him the love of God has truly been perfected [it is completed and has reached maturity]. By this we know [for certain] that we are in Him: whoever says he lives in Christ [that is, whoever says he has accepted Him as God and Savior] ought [as a moral obligation] to walk and conduct himself just as He walked and conducted Himself. (1John 1:3-6) But you, Israel, My servant,

Jacob whom I have chosen,

The offspring of Abraham My friend,

You whom I [the LORD] have taken from the ends of the earth,

And called from its remotest parts

And said to you, ‘You are My servant,

I have chosen you and have not rejected you.

Do not fear [anything], for I am with you;

Do not be afraid, for I am your God.

I will strengthen you, be assured I will help you;

I will certainly take hold of you with My righteous right hand [a hand of justice, of power, of victory, of salvation]. (Isaiah 41:8-10) Blessed and greatly favored is the man whose strength is in You, In whose heart are the highways to Zion. They go from strength to strength [increasing in victorious power];

Each of them appears before God in Zion. (Psalm 84:5,7) For the LORD God is a sun and shield;

The LORD bestows grace and favor and honor;

No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly. .

O LORD of hosts,

How blessed and greatly favored is the man who trusts in You [believing in You, relying on You, and committing himself to You with confident hope and expectation. (Psalm 84:11-12)