The Importance of Good Works
1 Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work,
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to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people.
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For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, captives of various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another.
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But when the goodness and love for man appeared from God our Savior,
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He saved us- not by works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
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This [Spirit] He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
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so that having been justified by His grace, we may become heirs with the hope of eternal life.
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This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.
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But avoid foolish debates, genealogies, quarrels, and disputes about the law, for they are unprofitable and worthless.
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Reject a divisive person after a first and second warning,
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knowing that such a person is perverted and sins, being self-condemned.