1 Now, those who are mature in their faith can easily be recognized, for they don’t live to please themselves but have learned to patiently embrace others in their immaturity.  2 Our goal must be to empower others to do what is right and good for them, and to bring them into spiritual maturity.  3 For not even the most powerful one of all, the Anointed One, lived to please himself. His life fulfilled the Scripture that says: All the insults of those who insulted you fall upon me.  4 Whatever was written beforehand is meant to instruct us in how to live.  The Scriptures impart to us encouragement and inspiration so that we can live in hope and endure all things.  5 Now may God, the source of great endurance and comfort, grace you with unity among yourselves, which flows from your relationship with Jesus, the Anointed One.  6 Then, with a unanimous rush of passion, you will with one voice glorify God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.  7 You will bring God glory when you accept and welcome one another as partners, just as the Anointed One has fully accepted you and received you as his partner.

8 But since we belong to the day, we must stay alert and clearheaded by placing the breastplate of faith and love over our hearts, and a helmet of the hope of salvation over our thoughts.  9 For God has not destined us to experience wrath but to possess salvation through our Lord Jesus, the Anointed One.  10 He gave his life for us so that we may share in resurrection life in union with him—whether we’re awake or asleep.  11 Because of this, encourage the hearts of your fellow believers and support one another, just as you have already been doing.