2nd Timothy 1:8-10.

"Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life--not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time, but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has destroyed death and has brought life and immortality to light through the gospel".

“So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord or ashamed of me His prisoner but join with me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God who has saved us and called us to a holy life”. Remember that is not a holy life that we try to live. That is a holy life that He has called us to and given us in Christ before the foundation of the world. When He said “Be holy as I am holy” – He never meant try to be as holy as Me. That is impossible for mankind to be as holy as God. God never said be holy with your own holiness. He said “Be holy as I am holy - With MY holiness!

(v9); “Who has saved us and called us to a holy life” – that’s His holiness. “Not because of anything we have done but because of His own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time but it has now been revealed through the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus who has destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel”. This grace was given us in Christ before time began!".

Reference: Ryan Rufus - "God's Eternal Covenant" - City Church International, Hong Kong - Sunday 28th October 2008.

1 Corinthians 4:17

‘I have sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord’

"Of course, Paul did communicate through epistles full of objective truth, set out in clearly stated propositions, but he wanted to send a living letter. He wanted to sustain the incarnational aspect of the glorious gospel with its emphasis on personal relationship and example".

Reference: Terry Virgo - "Firstline" - Newfrontiers Magazine - July - September 2009 issue.

James 2:10

"For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all".

"James 2:10 says if we keep the whole law and yet fail in one part then we are guilty of breaking all of the law. The law is a composite unity and integrated. So if I look at someone with lust in my heart that is not my wife then I have committed adultery and if I hate someone then I have committed murder and even the intent is equal to the crime by the law. No one is justified by the law and no one impresses God by the law indeed no one’s performance impresses God at all. It doesn’t please Him or make Him want to bless you. All the good things you do does not make God want to bless you. That is an Old Covenant law mentality".

Reference: Rob Rufus - "We are God's Workmanship" - City Church International, Hong Kong - 24th May 2009.