Christ’s Example to Be Followed
If anyone speaks, let him speak as the [c]oracles of God.
If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the [d]dominion forever and ever. Amen.4:12Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you;4:13but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is
revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy.4:14If you are [e]reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. [f]On their part He is blasphemed, but on your part He is glorified.
4:15But let none of you suffer as a murderer, a thief, an evildoer, or as a [g]busybody in other people’s matters.
4:16Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in this [h]matter.
4:17For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?4:18Now “If the righteous one is scarcely saved, Where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
4:19Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
Christ’s Example to Be Followed
Psalms 17:1-15 (KJV) Hear the right, O LORD, attend unto my cry, give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips.
Let my sentence come forth from thy presence; let thine eyes behold the things that are equal.
Thou hast proved mine heart; thou hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing; I am purposed that my mouth shall not transgress.
Concerning the works of men, by the word of thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.
Hold up my goings in thy paths, that my footsteps slip not.
I have called upon thee, for thou wilt hear me, O God: incline thine ear unto me, and hear my speech.
Shew thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them.
Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings,
From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about.
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth;
Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
Arise, O LORD, disappoint him, cast him down: deliver my soul from the wicked, which is thy sword:
From men which are thy hand, O LORD, from men of the world, which have their portion in this life, and whose belly thou fillest with thy hid treasure: they are full of children, and leave the rest of their substance to their babes.
As for me, I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with thy likeness.