It is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him. He created man in his own image. There is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding. What is man, that thou art mindful of him? Thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor. Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet; all sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field, the fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, and whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas. I will make a man (saith the Lord) more precious than fine gold; even a man than the golden wedge of Ophir. Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the spirit of God dwelleth in you? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in which ye you, have of God, and ye are not your own? Therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's. Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God. Now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be. HIS MORAL SENSE AND ACCOUNTABILITY. The grace of God that bringeth salvation. hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world. They show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing wit ness. For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven that thou shouldst say, "Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it?" Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldst say, "Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it and do it?" But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. If our heart condemn us, God is greater than our heart, and knoweth all things. Every one of us shall give account of himself to God. Unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required. In every nation he that feareth God, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him. If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. To him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son; the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him. When a righteous man turneth away from his righteousness and committeth iniquity, and dieth in it, - for his iniquity that he hath done, shall he die. Again, when the wicked man turneth away from his wickedness that he hath committed, and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive. Let no man deceive you; he that doeth righteousness is righteous. By their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law till all be fulfilled. Whosoever, therefore, shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. Strive to enter in at the strait gate. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? God will render to every man according to his deeds. MORAL AND RELIGIOUS PRECEPTS. These words which I command thee this day shall be in thine heart, and thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. If sinners entice thee, consent thou not. Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established. Turn not to the right hand nor to the left; remove thy foot from evil. Thou shalt do no murder. Thou shalt not commit adultery. |