( CRV )
1 Peter 2:19-21
19 This is indeed a grace, if for consciousness of God anyone endures sorrows, suffering unjustly.
20 For what is the glory if, when you sin and are buffeted, you endure it? But if, when you do right and suffer, you take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.
21 Unto this, indeed, you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example that you may follow in his steps.
Bibliography: The Holy Bible, New Catholic Edition, 1962, Catholic Book Publishing Company, Revised Challoner-Rheims Version ( CRV ), New Testament, New York, Page 306.
( RSV )
Romans 8:12-18
12 So then, brethern, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh -
13 for if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body you will live.
14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.
15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the spirit of sonship. When we cry, "Abba! Father!"
16 it is the Spirit himself bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God,
17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him.
18 I consider that the suffering of this present time are not worthy comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Bibliography: Ignatius Catholic Study Bible, Revised Standard Version, ( RSV ) Second Edition by Scott Hahn and Curtis Mitch.
( NIV )
Luke 9:23-26
23 Then he said to them all: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.
24 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will save it.
25 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self?
26 If anyone is ashamed of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels."
( NIV )
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;
20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.
( NIV )
1 Corinthians 7:21-24
21 Were you a slave when you were called? Don't let it trouble you - although if you can gain your freedom, do so.
22 For he who was a slave when he was called by the Lord is the Lord's freedman; similarly, he who was a free man when he was called is Christ's slave.
23 You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
24 Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in the situation God called him to.
( NIV )
Romans 3:21-31
Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify.
22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference,
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
24 and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished -
26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus.
27 Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. On what principle? On that of observing the law? No, but on that of faith.
28 For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from observing the law.
29 Is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too,
30 since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith.
31 Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law.