"And he spake this parable unto certain which trusted in themselves that
they were righteous, and despised others: {10} Two men went up into the
temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.
{11} The
Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am
not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this
publican. {12} I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I
possess.
{13} And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his
eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me
a sinner. {14} I tell you, this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED
rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be
abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted."
(Luke 18:9-14 KJV)
What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have
not works? can faith save him? {15} If a brother or sister be naked, and
destitute of daily food, {16} And one of you say unto them, Depart in
peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those
things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?
{17} Even so
faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. {18} Yea, a man may
say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy
works, and I will show thee my faith by my works. {19} Thou believest that
there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
{20} But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead?
{21} Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered
Isaac his son upon the altar? {22} Seest thou how faith wrought with his
works, and by works was faith made perfect? {23} And the scripture was
fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him
for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. {24} Ye see then
how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. {25} Likewise
also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received
the messengers, and had sent them out another way?
{26} For as the body
without the spirit is dead, so faith without works
is dead also.
The Tongue is a fire...
{1} My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall
receive the greater condemnation. {2} For in many things we offend all.
If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to
bridle the whole body.
{3} Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that
they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. {4} Behold also the
ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet
are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor
listeth. {5} Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great
things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! {6}
And the
tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members,
that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature;
and it is set on fire of hell.
{7} For every kind of beasts, and of birds,
and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed
of mankind: {8} But the tongue can no man tame;
it is an unruly evil, full
of deadly poison. {9} Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and
therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. {10}
Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these
things ought not so to be.
{11} Doth a fountain send forth at the same
place sweet water and bitter? {12} Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear
olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt
water and fresh. {13} Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among
you? let him show out of a good conversation his works with meekness of
wisdom.
{14} But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts,
glory not, and lie not against the truth. {15} This wisdom descendeth not
from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. {16} For where envying and
strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.
{17} But the wisdom
that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be
entreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy. {18} And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them
that make peace.
(James 2:14-26 - James 3 KJV)
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let
him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. {25} For whosoever
will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my
sake shall find it. {26} For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the
whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange
for his soul?"
{34} Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed
of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of
the world: {35} For I was an hungered, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty,
and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: {36} Naked, and
ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came
unto me.
"...choose you this day whom
ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the
other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye
dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD."
The American Vine
