He Put Our Lives Together 1-2Remind
the people to respect the government and be law-abiding, always ready
to lend a helping hand. No insults, no fights. God's people should be
bighearted and courteous. 3-8It
wasn't so long ago that we ourselves were stupid and stubborn, dupes of
sin, ordered every which way by our glands, going around with a chip on
our shoulder, hated and hating back. But when God, our kind and loving
Savior God, stepped in, he saved us from all that. It was all his doing;
we had nothing to do with it. He gave us a good bath, and we came out
of it new people, washed inside and out by the Holy Spirit. Our Savior
Jesus poured out new life so generously. God's gift has restored our
relationship with him and given us back our lives. And there's more life
to come—an eternity of life! You can count on this. 8-11I
want you to put your foot down. Take a firm stand on these matters so
that those who have put their trust in God will concentrate on the
essentials that are good for everyone. Stay away from mindless,
pointless quarreling over genealogies and fine print in the law code.
That gets you nowhere. Warn a quarrelsome person once or twice, but then
be done with him. It's obvious that such a person is out of line,
rebellious against God. By persisting in divisiveness he cuts himself
off. 12-13As soon
as I send either Artemas or Tychicus to you, come immediately and meet
me in Nicopolis. I've decided to spend the winter there. Give Zenas the
lawyer and Apollos a hearty send-off. Take good care of them. 14Our
people have to learn to be diligent in their work so that all
necessities are met (especially among the needy) and they don't end up
with nothing to show for their lives. 15All here want to be remembered to you. Say hello to our friends in the faith. Grace to all of you. | 
