Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. … Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If you speak, you should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If you serve, you should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

Jo 5:11; Ti 3:1-2; 1Pe 5:6; 1Co 9:19-23; 1Pe 4:10-11

Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV.®             Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®                                                            Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.