Friday, January 20, 2012

A New Life - Part 5

What2Say2Day? Happy Friday! Today is a good day; I'm one day removed from a Saturday. As you may or may not know Saturday is my day off from electronics inasmuch as I can be. That usually means no blog, no twits (no pun intended), minimal Facebook and email, and lots of time with my wife.

I mention this because as I read Romans 12:9-21 it's what I feel called to do; spend more time with people, especially people you love (or want to love). In this second half of Romans 12 Paul spells out very clearly how to live a new life in Christ. It might help if the items are listed, so please bear with me as I make a list:

1 Let love be genuine
2 Hate what is evil
3 Hold fast to what is good
4 Love one another with mutual affection
5 Outdo one another in showing honour
6 Do not lag in zeal
7 Be ardent in spirit
8 Serve the Lord
9 Rejoice in hope
10 Be patient in suffering
11 Persevere in prayer
12 Contribute to the needs of the saints
13 Extend hospitality to strangers
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep
16 Live in harmony with one another
17 Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly
18 Do not claim to be wiser than you are
19 Do not repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all
20 If it is possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all
21 Never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God
22 If your enemies are hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink
23 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good
 Now that's a list! Okay, seriously, all of this is listed in that passage from Romans, but take a look at what the underlying theme is and let's redo this list. Ready...

1 Live your life in a way that is pleasing to God
2 Do more for others than you do for yourself
3 Be content with what you have (aka  stop keeping up with the Jones)
 In other words - Love God, Love each other and Love yourself. WOW! Now there's a familiar theme.

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