Guided by His Love and Precepts

I am giving you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so you too are to love one another. By this everyone will know that you are My disciples, if you have love and unselfish concern for one another. (John 13:34-35) Blessed [spiritually calm with life-joy in God’s favor] are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they will [express His character and] be called the sons of God. (Matthew 5:9) Those who engage in peacemaking, actively working to reconcile people with God. Those who are living a life in close relationship with God; a life aligned with His will. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and mind and with all your soul and with all your strength [your entire being]. These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be [written] on your heart and mind. (Deuteronomy 6:5-6)

Only [be sure to] lead your lives in a manner [that will be] worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I do come and see you or remain absent, I will hear about you that you are standing firm in one spirit [and one purpose], with one mind striving side by side [as if in combat] for the faith of the gospel. (Philippians 1:27)

To live a life consistent with faith means aligning one's actions, behavior and beliefs, specifically those rooted in faith and God. Everyone who believes [with a deep, abiding trust in the fact] that Jesus is the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed) is born of God [that is, reborn from above--spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], and everyone who loves the Father also loves the child born of Him. By this we know [without any doubt] that we love the children of God: [expressing that love] when we love God and obey His commandments. For the [true] love of God is this: that we habitually keep His commandments and remain focused on His precepts. And His commandments and His precepts are not difficult [to obey]. For everyone born of God is victorious and overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has conquered and overcome the world--our [continuing, persistent] faith [in Jesus the Son of God]. (1 John 5:1-4) Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses [who by faith have testified to the truth of God’s absolute faithfulness], stripping off every unnecessary weight and the sin which so easily and cleverly entangles us, let us run with endurance and active persistence the race that is set before us, [looking away from all that will distract us and] focusing our eyes on Jesus, who is the Author and Perfecter of faith [the first incentive for our belief and the One who brings our faith to maturity], who for the joy [of accomplishing the goal] set before Him endured the cross, disregarding the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God [revealing His deity, His authority, and the completion of His work]. (Hebrews 12:1-2) O come, let us sing joyfully to the LORD;

Let us shout joyfully to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before His presence with a song of thanksgiving;

Let us shout joyfully to Him with songs.

For the LORD is a great God

And a great King above all gods,

In whose hand are the depths of the earth;

The peaks of the mountains are His also.

The sea is His, for He made it [by His command];

And His hands formed the dry land.

O come, let us worship and bow down,

Let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [in reverent praise and prayer].

For He is our God

And we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand. (Psalm 95:1-7)