You
have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish
religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God
furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make
havoc of it and destroy it. And [you have heard
how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my
race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so
extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my
ancestors. But when He, Who had chosen and set me
apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved
favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased. To
reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among
the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I
did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail
human being or communicate with anyone]. Galatians 1:13-16
For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit or
deserving to be called an apostle, because I once wronged and pursued and
molested the church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. 1
Corinthians 15:9
And the
Ever-living One [I am living in the eternity of the eternities]. I died, but
see, I am alive forevermore; and I possess the keys of death and Hades
(the realm of the dead). Revelation 1:18
For He says to Moses,
I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy and I will have compassion (pity)
on whom I will have compassion. So then [God’s gift] is not a question of
human will and human effort, but of God’s mercy. [It depends not on one’s own
willingness nor on his strenuous exertion as in running a race, but on God’s
having mercy on him.]
For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, I have raised you up for
this very purpose of displaying My power in [dealing with] you, so that My name
may be proclaimed the whole world over. So then
He has mercy on whomever He wills (chooses) and He hardens (makes stubborn and
unyielding the heart of) whomever He wills. Romans 9:15-18
For those whom He
foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the
beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and
share inwardly His likeness], that He might become the firstborn among many
brethren. Romans 8:29
For we are God’s
[own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that
we may do those good works which God predestined
(planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time],
that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made
ready for us to live]. Ephesians 2:10
But as for you,
the anointing (the sacred appointment,
the unction) which you received from Him abides [permanently] in you; [so] then
you have no need that anyone should instruct you. But just as His anointing teaches you concerning
everything and is true and is no falsehood, so you must abide in (live in,
never depart from) Him [being rooted in Him, knit to Him], just as [His anointing] has taught you [to do]. 1
John 2:27
For we walk by faith [we regulate our lives and
conduct ourselves by our conviction or belief respecting man’s relationship to
God and divine things, with trust and holy fervor; thus we walk] not by sight or appearance. 2
Corinthians 5:7
And you will know
the Truth, and the Truth will set you free. John 8:32
Therefore I want
you to understand that no one speaking under the power and influence of
the [Holy] Spirit of God can [ever] say, Jesus be cursed!
And no one can [really] say, Jesus
is [my] Lord, except by and under the power and influence of the
Holy Spirit. 1 Corinthians 12:3
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