By nature men are alienated from God and enemies in their minds by wicked works. But Jesus reconciled us to God by the body of His flesh though death. We were dead in sin and the uncircumcision of our flesh. As the children of disobedience, we walked and lived in fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
But God hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His Blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Christ Jesus is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: For by Jesus were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers. All things were created by Jesus, and for Him: and Jesus is before all things, and by Him all things consist. Jesus made our peace with God through the Blood of His Cross. We have heard the word of the truth of the Gospel and now we know the grace of God in truth. Jesus is the head of the body, the church, that in all things He might have the preeminence.
Jesus has quickened us together with Him, and has forgiven all our trespasses against God. He blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross; and spoiled principalities and powers, and He made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. Jesus finished our Salvation through His Blood Atonement, and triumphed over the devil in the finished work of Calvary.
Walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, be fruitful in every good work, increasing in the knowledge of God. Have more faith in Christ Jesus and show love to all the saints, love one another in the Spirit. Be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding. Be strengthened with all might, according to God's glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness.
Warn every man, teach every man in all wisdom, present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Labor and strive according to Christ's working in you. In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Maintain your order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ. Christ in you, the hope of glory. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him. Be rooted and built up in Christ, stablished in the faith, abounding therein with thanksgiving. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. In Jesus dwells all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Ye are complete in Christ. God hath raised Christ from the dead. Christ's spiritual circumcision of our souls has put off the body of the sins of the flesh.
If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our Life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with Him in glory. Jesus is coming again, set your affection on Him every day.
Put off all these things: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy communication out of your mouth. Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of Jesus that created the new man within you. Christ is all, and in all. Put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering; Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any: even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye. And above all these things put on Charity, which is the bond of perfectness. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye Thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with Grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving Thanks to God and the Father by Jesus.
Wives submit to your husbands, Husbands love your wives, Children obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged. Employees obey your employers in all things, not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God; and whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons. Employers give unto your employees that which is just and equal.
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with Thanksgiving. Walk in wisdom toward lost people, redeeming the time. Let your speech be always with Grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man. Be a comfort to one another and work together to increase the kingdom of God. Serve Christ, always labor fervently in prayers for others that they may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Grace be with you, Amen.
