The Reason

The reason

by

Gary D. Rose

Isaiah Chapter 40:28-31

I am young, a mere 10 years

but in my life are many tears

a parent died and I hurt sore

why should I live on anymore?

Chorus

In my teens and growing strong

but life is hard and so forlorn

my young love has died today

so, why should I live even one more day?

Chorus

Married now so happy we

but life became full of tragedy

Our firstborn child lay still and cold

so what's the point of growing old?

Chorus

My loved one of so many years

with whom I lived through all life's tears

has died today and I'm alone,

I can't see why I should live alone?

Chorus

Come near my child and listen to me

for I am there in your adversity

you are not alone and I do care

for in your hardship I am there.

Be faithful unto death and see

how beautiful heaven will be!!

It is a sobering fact that bad things happen to us all.  Things that we wish had never, ever happened, did.  We can't change the past, but we endure our troubles with God's help.  That is why I wrote this poem last December; to remind me of what I already knew... that God is a help in times of trouble and will help me through anything.  Listed below is the Scripture I had in mind when I wrote this...

Isaiah, Chapter 40

 28 Haven’t you known?
Haven’t you heard?
The everlasting God, Yahweh,
The Creator of the ends of the earth, doesn’t faint.
He isn’t weary.
His understanding is unsearchable.

  29 He gives power to the weak.
He increases the strength of him who has no might.

  30 Even the youths faint and get weary,
and the young men utterly fall;
  31 But those who wait for Yahweh will renew their strength.
They will mount up with wings like eagles.
They will run, and not be weary.
They will walk, and not faint.
 

The reason to on when life becomes too hard to bear is that you are not alone, God is always there.  When I wrote this, I thought perhaps someday, someone would put it to music (after all, it was designed to be a song).  If anyone out there feels motivated to do this, I would greatly appreciate it.  I just wish I had the talent to do it myself....

Aug. 24 Job 30-35

Aug. 24

Job 30-35

Job 30:1 "But now those who are younger than I have me in derision, whose fathers I would have disdained to put with my sheep dogs.

Job 30:2 Of what use is the strength of their hands to me, men in whom ripe age has perished?

Job 30:3 They are gaunt from lack and famine. They gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of waste and desolation.

Job 30:4 They pluck salt herbs by the bushes. The roots of the broom are their food.

Job 30:5 They are driven out from the midst of men. They cry after them as after a thief;

Job 30:6 So that they dwell in frightful valleys, and in holes of the earth and of the rocks.

Job 30:7 Among the bushes they bray; and under the nettles they are gathered together.

Job 30:8 They are children of fools, yes, children of base men. They were flogged out of the land.

Job 30:9 "Now I have become their song. Yes, I am a byword to them.

Job 30:10 They abhor me, they stand aloof from me, and don't hesitate to spit in my face.

Job 30:11 For he has untied his cord, and afflicted me; and they have thrown off restraint before me.

Job 30:12 On my right hand rise the rabble. They thrust aside my feet, They cast up against me their ways of destruction.

Job 30:13 They mar my path, They set forward my calamity, without anyone's help.

Job 30:14 As through a wide breach they come, in the midst of the ruin they roll themselves in.

Job 30:15 Terrors have turned on me. They chase my honor as the wind. My welfare has passed away as a cloud.

Job 30:16 "Now my soul is poured out within me. Days of affliction have taken hold on me.

Job 30:17 In the night season my bones are pierced in me, and the pains that gnaw me take no rest.

Job 30:18 By great force is my garment disfigured. It binds me about as the collar of my coat.

Job 30:19 He has cast me into the mire. I have become like dust and ashes.

Job 30:20 I cry to you, and you do not answer me. I stand up, and you gaze at me.

Job 30:21 You have turned to be cruel to me. With the might of your hand you persecute me.

Job 30:22 You lift me up to the wind, and drive me with it. You dissolve me in the storm.

Job 30:23 For I know that you will bring me to death, To the house appointed for all living.

Job 30:24 "However doesn't one stretch out a hand in his fall? Or in his calamity therefore cry for help?

Job 30:25 Didn't I weep for him who was in trouble? Wasn't my soul grieved for the needy?

Job 30:26 When I looked for good, then evil came; When I waited for light, there came darkness.

Job 30:27 My heart is troubled, and doesn't rest. Days of affliction have come on me.

Job 30:28 I go mourning without the sun. I stand up in the assembly, and cry for help.

Job 30:29 I am a brother to jackals, and a companion to ostriches.

Job 30:30 My skin grows black and peels from me. My bones are burned with heat.

Job 30:31 Therefore my harp has turned to mourning, and my pipe into the voice of those who weep.

Job 31:1 "I made a covenant with my eyes, how then should I look lustfully at a young woman?

Job 31:2 For what is the portion from God above, and the heritage from the Almighty on high?

Job 31:3 Is it not calamity to the unrighteous, and disaster to the workers of iniquity?

Job 31:4 Doesn't he see my ways, and number all my steps?

Job 31:5 "If I have walked with falsehood, and my foot has hurried to deceit

Job 31:6 (let me be weighed in an even balance, that God may know my integrity);

Job 31:7 if my step has turned out of the way, if my heart walked after my eyes, if any defilement has stuck to my hands,

Job 31:8 then let me sow, and let another eat. Yes, let the produce of my field be rooted out.

Job 31:9 "If my heart has been enticed to a woman, and I have laid wait at my neighbor's door,

Job 31:10 then let my wife grind for another, and let others sleep with her.

Job 31:11 For that would be a heinous crime. Yes, it would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges:

Job 31:12 For it is a fire that consumes to destruction, and would root out all my increase.

Job 31:13 "If I have despised the cause of my male servant or of my female servant, when they contended with me;

Job 31:14 What then shall I do when God rises up? When he visits, what shall I answer him?

Job 31:15 Didn't he who made me in the womb make him? Didn't one fashion us in the womb?

Job 31:16 "If I have withheld the poor from their desire, or have caused the eyes of the widow to fail,

Job 31:17 or have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless has not eaten of it

Job 31:18 (no, from my youth he grew up with me as with a father, her have I guided from my mother's womb);

Job 31:19 if I have seen any perish for want of clothing, or that the needy had no covering;

Job 31:20 if his heart hasn't blessed me, if he hasn't been warmed with my sheep's fleece;

Job 31:21 if I have lifted up my hand against the fatherless, because I saw my help in the gate,

Job 31:22 then let my shoulder fall from the shoulder blade, and my arm be broken from the bone.

Job 31:23 For calamity from God is a terror to me. Because his majesty, I can do nothing.

Job 31:24 "If I have made gold my hope, and have said to the fine gold, 'You are my confidence;'

Job 31:25 If I have rejoiced because my wealth was great, and because my hand had gotten much;

Job 31:26 if I have seen the sun when it shined, or the moon moving in splendor,

Job 31:27 and my heart has been secretly enticed, and my hand threw a kiss from my mouth,

Job 31:28 this also would be an iniquity to be punished by the judges; for I should have denied the God who is above.

Job 31:29 "If I have rejoiced at the destruction of him who hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him;

Job 31:30 (yes, I have not allowed my mouth to sin by asking his life with a curse);

Job 31:31 if the men of my tent have not said, 'Who can find one who has not been filled with his meat?'

Job 31:32 (the foreigner has not lodged in the street, but I have opened my doors to the traveler);

Job 31:33 if like Adam I have covered my transgressions, by hiding my iniquity in my heart,

Job 31:34 because I feared the great multitude, and the contempt of families terrified me, so that I kept silence, and didn't go out of the door--

Job 31:35 oh that I had one to hear me! (behold, here is my signature, let the Almighty answer me); let the accuser write my indictment!

Job 31:36 Surely I would carry it on my shoulder; and I would bind it to me as a crown.

Job 31:37 I would declare to him the number of my steps. as a prince would I go near to him.

Job 31:38 If my land cries out against me, and its furrows weep together;

Job 31:39 if I have eaten its fruits without money, or have caused its owners to lose their life,

Job 31:40 let briars grow instead of wheat, and stinkweed instead of barley." The words of Job are ended.

Job 32:1 So these three men ceased to answer Job, because he was righteous in his own eyes.

Job 32:2 Then the wrath of Elihu the son of Barachel, the Buzite, of the family of Ram, was kindled against Job. His wrath was kindled because he justified himself rather than God.

Job 32:3 Also his wrath was kindled against his three friends, because they had found no answer, and yet had condemned Job.

Job 32:4 Now Elihu had waited to speak to Job, because they were elder than he.

Job 32:5 When Elihu saw that there was no answer in the mouth of these three men, his wrath was kindled.

Job 32:6 Elihu the son of Barachel the Buzite answered, "I am young, and you are very old; Therefore I held back, and didn't dare show you my opinion.

Job 32:7 I said, 'Days should speak, and multitude of years should teach wisdom.'

Job 32:8 But there is a spirit in man, and the breath of the Almighty gives them understanding.

Job 32:9 It is not the great who are wise, nor the aged who understand justice.

Job 32:10 Therefore I said, 'Listen to me; I also will show my opinion.'

Job 32:11 "Behold, I waited for your words, and I listened for your reasoning, while you searched out what to say.

Job 32:12 Yes, I gave you my full attention, but there was no one who convinced Job, or who answered his words, among you.

Job 32:13 Beware lest you say, 'We have found wisdom, God may refute him, not man;'

Job 32:14 for he has not directed his words against me; neither will I answer him with your speeches.

Job 32:15 "They are amazed. They answer no more. They don't have a word to say.

Job 32:16 Shall I wait, because they don't speak, because they stand still, and answer no more?

Job 32:17 I also will answer my part, and I also will show my opinion.

Job 32:18 For I am full of words. The spirit within me constrains me.

Job 32:19 Behold, my breast is as wine which has no vent; like new wineskins it is ready to burst.

Job 32:20 I will speak, that I may be refreshed. I will open my lips and answer.

Job 32:21 Please don't let me respect any man's person, neither will I give flattering titles to any man.

Job 32:22 For I don't know how to give flattering titles; or else my Maker would soon take me away.

Job 33:1 "However, Job, Please hear my speech, and listen to all my words.

Job 33:2 See now, I have opened my mouth. My tongue has spoken in my mouth.

Job 33:3 My words shall utter the uprightness of my heart. That which my lips know they shall speak sincerely.

Job 33:4 The Spirit of God has made me, and the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

Job 33:5 If you can, answer me. Set your words in order before me, and stand forth.

Job 33:6 Behold, I am toward God even as you are. I am also formed out of the clay.

Job 33:7 Behold, my terror shall not make you afraid, neither shall my pressure be heavy on you.

Job 33:8 "Surely you have spoken in my hearing, I have heard the voice of your words, saying,

Job 33:9 'I am clean, without disobedience. I am innocent, neither is there iniquity in me.

Job 33:10 Behold, he finds occasions against me. He counts me for his enemy.

Job 33:11 He puts my feet in the stocks. He marks all my paths.'

Job 33:12 "Behold, I will answer you. In this you are not just, for God is greater than man.

Job 33:13 Why do you strive against him, because he doesn't give account of any of his matters?

Job 33:14 For God speaks once, yes twice, though man pays no attention.

Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, in slumbering on the bed;

Job 33:16 Then he opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction,

Job 33:17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

Job 33:18 He keeps back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.

Job 33:19 He is chastened also with pain on his bed, with continual strife in his bones;

Job 33:20 So that his life abhors bread, and his soul dainty food.

Job 33:21 His flesh is so consumed away, that it can't be seen. His bones that were not seen stick out.

Job 33:22 Yes, his soul draws near to the pit, and his life to the destroyers.

Job 33:23 "If there is beside him an angel, an interpreter, one among a thousand, to show to man what is right for him;

Job 33:24 then God is gracious to him, and says, 'Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.'

Job 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's. He returns to the days of his youth.

Job 33:26 He prays to God, and he is favorable to him, so that he sees his face with joy. He restores to man his righteousness.

Job 33:27 He sings before men, and says, 'I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, and it didn't profit me.

Job 33:28 He has redeemed my soul from going into the pit. My life shall see the light.'

Job 33:29 "Behold, God works all these things, twice, yes three times, with a man,

Job 33:30 to bring back his soul from the pit, that he may be enlightened with the light of the living.

Job 33:31 Mark well, Job, and listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will speak.

Job 33:32 If you have anything to say, answer me. Speak, for I desire to justify you.

Job 33:33 If not, listen to me. Hold your peace, and I will teach you wisdom."

Job 34:1 Moreover Elihu answered,

Job 34:2 "Hear my words, you wise men. Give ear to me, you who have knowledge.

Job 34:3 For the ear tries words, as the palate tastes food.

Job 34:4 Let us choose for us that which is right. Let us know among ourselves what is good.

Job 34:5 For Job has said, 'I am righteous, God has taken away my right:

Job 34:6 Notwithstanding my right I am considered a liar. My wound is incurable, though I am without disobedience.'

Job 34:7 What man is like Job, who drinks scorn like water,

Job 34:8 Who goes in company with the workers of iniquity, and walks with wicked men?

Job 34:9 For he has said, 'It profits a man nothing that he should delight himself with God.'

Job 34:10 "Therefore listen to me, you men of understanding: far be it from God, that he should do wickedness, from the Almighty, that he should commit iniquity.

Job 34:11 For the work of a man he will render to him, and cause every man to find according to his ways.

Job 34:12 Yes surely, God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice.

Job 34:13 Who put him in charge of the earth? or who has appointed him over the whole world?

Job 34:14 If he set his heart on himself, If he gathered to himself his spirit and his breath,

Job 34:15 all flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust.

Job 34:16 "If now you have understanding, hear this. Listen to the voice of my words.

Job 34:17 Shall even one who hates justice govern? Will you condemn him who is righteous and mighty?--

Job 34:18 Who says to a king, 'Vile!' or to nobles, 'Wicked!'?

Job 34:19 Who doesn't respect the persons of princes, nor regards the rich more than the poor; for they all are the work of his hands.

Job 34:20 In a moment they die, even at midnight. The people are shaken and pass away. The mighty are taken away without a hand.

Job 34:21 "For his eyes are on the ways of a man. He sees all his goings.

Job 34:22 There is no darkness, nor thick gloom, where the workers of iniquity may hide themselves.

Job 34:23 For he doesn't need to consider a man further, that he should go before God in judgment.

Job 34:24 He breaks in pieces mighty men in ways past finding out, and sets others in their place.

Job 34:25 Therefore he takes knowledge of their works. He overturns them in the night, so that they are destroyed.

Job 34:26 He strikes them as wicked men in the open sight of others;

Job 34:27 because they turned aside from following him, and wouldn't pay attention to any of his ways,

Job 34:28 so that they caused the cry of the poor to come to him. He heard the cry of the afflicted.

Job 34:29 When he gives quietness, who then can condemn? When he hides his face, who then can see him? Alike whether to a nation, or to a man,

Job 34:30 that the godless man may not reign, that there be no one to ensnare the people.

Job 34:31 "For has any said to God, 'I am guilty, but I will not offend any more.

Job 34:32 Teach me that which I don't see. If I have done iniquity, I will do it no more'?

Job 34:33 Shall his recompense be as you desire, that you refuse it? For you must choose, and not I. Therefore speak what you know.

Job 34:34 Men of understanding will tell me, yes, every wise man who hears me:

Job 34:35 'Job speaks without knowledge. His words are without wisdom.'

Job 34:36 I wish that Job were tried to the end, because of his answering like wicked men.

Job 34:37 For he adds rebellion to his sin. He claps his hands among us, and multiplies his words against God."

Job 35:1 Moreover Elihu answered,

Job 35:2 "Do you think this to be your right, or do you say, 'My righteousness is more than God's,'

Job 35:3 That you ask, 'What advantage will it be to you? What profit shall I have, more than if I had sinned?'

Job 35:4 I will answer you, and your companions with you.

Job 35:5 Look to the heavens, and see. See the skies, which are higher than you.

Job 35:6 If you have sinned, what effect do you have against him? If your transgressions are multiplied, what do you do to him?

Job 35:7 If you are righteous, what do you give him? Or what does he receive from your hand?

Job 35:8 Your wickedness may hurt a man as you are, and your righteousness may profit a son of man.

Job 35:9 "By reason of the multitude of oppressions they cry out. They cry for help by reason of the arm of the mighty.

Job 35:10 But none says, 'Where is God my Maker, who gives songs in the night,

Job 35:11 who teaches us more than the animals of the earth, and makes us wiser than the birds of the sky?'

Job 35:12 There they cry, but none gives answer, because of the pride of evil men.

Job 35:13 Surely God will not hear an empty cry, neither will the Almighty regard it.

Job 35:14 How much less when you say you don't see him. The cause is before him, and you wait for him!

Job 35:15 But now, because he has not visited in his anger, neither does he greatly regard arrogance.

Job 35:16 Therefore Job opens his mouth with empty talk, and he multiplies words without knowledge."

Aug. 24 Romans 5

Aug. 24

Romans 5

Rom 5:1 Being therefore justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ;

Rom 5:2 through whom we also have our access by faith into this grace in which we stand. We rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

Rom 5:3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;

Rom 5:4 and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope:

Rom 5:5 and hope doesn't disappoint us, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Rom 5:6 For while we were yet weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

Rom 5:7 For one will hardly die for a righteous man. Yet perhaps for a righteous person someone would even dare to die.

Rom 5:8 But God commends his own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Rom 5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we will be saved from God's wrath through him.

Rom 5:10 For if, while we were enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we will be saved by his life.

Rom 5:11 Not only so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation.

Rom 5:12 Therefore, as sin entered into the world through one man, and death through sin; and so death passed to all men, because all sinned.

Rom 5:13 For until the law, sin was in the world; but sin is not charged when there is no law.

Rom 5:14 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam until Moses, even over those whose sins weren't like Adam's disobedience, who is a foreshadowing of him who was to come.

Rom 5:15 But the free gift isn't like the trespass. For if by the trespass of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God, and the gift by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many.

Rom 5:16 The gift is not as through one who sinned: for the judgment came by one to condemnation, but the free gift came of many trespasses to justification.

Rom 5:17 For if by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; so much more will those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, Jesus Christ.

Rom 5:18 So then as through one trespass, all men were condemned; even so through one act of righteousness, all men were justified to life.

Rom 5:19 For as through the one man's disobedience many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the one, many will be made righteous.

Rom 5:20 The law came in besides, that the trespass might abound; but where sin abounded, grace abounded more exceedingly;

Rom 5:21 that as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

"THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS" Chapter Three by Mark Copeland

                    "THE EPISTLE TO THE COLOSSIANS"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To see what Paul offers as the Christian solution in dealing with
   the problem of sin

2) To understand what our responsibilities are as "the elect of God, 
   holy and beloved"

SUMMARY

Having warned the brethren of the "Colossian Heresy", and the need to 
be established in the faith of Jesus Christ, Paul now offers a detailed
description of "The Christian Solution" to the problem of sin in their
lives.  Rather than being deceived or swayed by false alternatives,
they need to seek those things above, where Christ is, to set their
minds on things above and not on the earth.  This is because they have 
been raised with Christ (cf. Col 2:12) and their life is now hidden in
Christ, awaiting the day of His coming in which they will appear with 
Him in glory (1-4).

With minds set on Christ, they need to "put to death" those sins in 
which their earthly members engaged, and upon which the wrath of God is
coming.  This is done by "putting off" the old man with his deeds, and 
"putting on" the new man who is being renewed in knowledge after the 
image of Christ.  The deeds of the old man and the characteristics of 
the new man are defined by Paul, followed with exhortations to allow 
the "peace of God" to rule in their hearts and to let the "word of 
Christ" dwell in them richly.  He also charges them to do all things in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father (5-17).

As so much of their daily lives revolve around the home, Paul also 
addresses the responsibilities of various family members as they serve
the Lord (18-4:1).

OUTLINE

I. THE CHRISTIAN SOLUTION (1-17)

   A. SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE (1-4)
      1. Since you were raised with Christ, seek those things above
         (1-2)
         a. Where Christ is, seated at God's right hand (1)
         b. Not on the things on the earth (2)
      2. For you have died, one day to appear with Christ in glory
         (3-4)
         a. Your life is now hidden with Christ in God (3)
         b. When Christ appears, you will also appear with Him in glory
            (4)

   B. PUT OFF THE OLD MAN (5-9)
      1. Put to death the members of your body (5)
         a. Fornication 
         b. Uncleanness
         c. Passion
         d. Evil desire
         e. Covetousness, which is idolatry
         -- For the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of 
            disobedience, and you also once walked in such things (6-7)
      2. Put off the old man with his deeds (8-9)
         a. Anger
         b. Wrath
         c. Malice
         d. Blasphemy
         e. Filthy language
         f. Lying to one another

   C. PUT ON THE NEW MAN (10-17)
      1. In which you are renewed in the image of our Creator, where 
         there is neither:
         a. Greek nor Jew
         b. Circumcised nor uncircumcised
         c. Barbarian, Scythian
         d. Slave nor free
         -- But Christ, who is all and in all (10-11)
      2. As God's elect, put on Christ-like qualities (12-14)
         a. Tender mercies
         b. Kindness
         c. Humbleness of mind
         d. Meekness
         e. Longsuffering
         f. Bearing with one another
         g. Forgiving one another, even as Christ forgave you
         h. Above all these things, put on love, the perfect tie that
            binds
      3. In addition...
         a. Let God's peace rule in your heart, and be thankful (15)
         b. Let Christ's word dwell in you richly, teaching and 
            admonishing one another with song, singing with grace in 
            your hearts to the Lord (16)
         c. Do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus, with 
            thanksgiving to God (17)

II. FAMILIAL RESPONSIBILITIES (18-4:1)

   A. WIVES TOWARD THEIR HUSBANDS (18)
      1. Submit to your own husbands
      2. As is fitting in the Lord

   B. HUSBANDS TOWARDS THEIR WIVES (19)
      1. Love your wives
      2. Do not be bitter toward them

   C. CHILDREN TOWARD THEIR PARENTS (20)
      1. Obey your parents in all things
      2. This is well pleasing to the Lord

   D. FATHERS TOWARD THEIR CHILDREN (21)
      1. Do not provoke your children
      2. Or they may become discouraged

   E. SERVANTS TOWARD THEIR MASTERS (22-25)
      1. Obey your earthly masters in all things (22)
         a. Not with eye-service, seeking only to please men
         b. But with sincerity of heart, fearing God
      2. Do your work heartily (23-24)
         a. As to the Lord and not to men (23)
         b. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance
            (24)
      3. He who does wrong... (25)
         a. Will be repaid for the wrong he does
         b. There will be no partiality

   F. MASTERS TOWARD THEIR SERVANTS (4:1)
      1. Give your servants what is just and fair
      2. Knowing that you also have a Master in heaven

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - The Christian solution (1-17)
   - Familial responsibilities (18-4:1)

2) What two-fold charge is given to those who have been raised with 
   Christ? (1-2)
   - Seek those things which are above, where Christ is
   - Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth

3) Where is our "life" at the present?  When shall it appear? (3-4)
   - Hidden with Christ in God
   - When Christ appears (i.e., His Second Coming)

4) What sins are we to "put to death"? (5)
   - Fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness
     (which is idolatry)

5) Why must we put them to death? (6)
   - Because the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience

6) What other sins must we "put off"? (8,9)
   - Anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, lying to one 
     another

7) What have we "put off", and what have we "put on"? (9-10)
   - We have "put off the old man with his deeds"
   - We have "put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according
     to the image of Him who created him" (i.e., Christ)

8) As God's elect (chosen), holy and beloved, what are we to "put on"?
   (12-14)
   - Tender mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, 
     longsuffering, bearing with one another, forgiving one another as
     Christ forgave us, and love

9) What must we allow the "peace of God" do? (15)
   - Rule in our hearts

10) What must we allow the "word of Christ" do? (16)
   - Dwell in our hearts richly

11) How are we to teach and admonish one another? (16)
   - In psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our
     hearts to the Lord

12) How are we to do all things, whether in word or deed? (17)
   - In the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father 
     through Him

13) What is the duty of wives? (18)
   - To submit to their own husbands

14) What is the duty of husbands? (19)
   - To love their wives and not be bitter toward them

15) What is the duty of children? (20)
   - To obey their parents in all things

16) What is the duty of fathers? (21)
   - Not to provoke their children

17) What is the duty of servants? (22-23)
   - To obey their masters in all things
   - Not with eye-service, as pleasing men, but in sincerity of heart,
     fearing God
   - To do all things heartily, as to the Lord

18) What positive motivation is there for a servant to so act?  What
    negative motivation? (24-25)
   - Serving the Lord Christ, they will receive the reward of the 
     inheritance
   - Those who do wrong will be repaid, with no partiality being shown

19) What is the duty of masters?  What motivation is offered to do 
    this? (4:1)
   - To give their servants what is just and fair
   - They too have a Master, one who is heaven