Our previous Post was on the Prayer of Examine. As a followup, in this Post I have made a list of 18 positive things that we might use as a measure of how we are doing in our faith life. These are found in Romans Chr. 12: 9-21. Each of these has its own depth of meaning. Taking just one each day and unpacking it will provide an excellent resource for the Prayer on Examine.
For example, if by "love must be sincere" I understand it as being focused on the good of the other, are my dealings with others motivated by self interest only, or do I see the other person struggling no less than I? Is it just, "tough on them, I have my own problems."
Each of these will yield new insights and new challenges. Very likely you will find yourself saying: "... but wait a minute ...!"
+++++++++ "18" +++++++++
+ Love
must be sincere.
+ Hate
what is evil; cling to what is good.
+ Be
devoted to one another in love.
+ Honor one
another above yourselves.
+ Never be
lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord.
+ Be
joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.
+ Share
with the Lord’s people who are in need.
+ Practice
hospitality.
+ Bless
those who persecute you; bless and do not curse.
+ Rejoice
with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.
+ Live in
harmony with one another.
+ Do not
be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.
+ Do not
be conceited.
+ Do not
repay anyone evil for evil.
+ Be
careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone.
+ If it is
possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.
+ Do not
take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary:
“If your enemy is hungry, feed him;if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
+ Do not
be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
No comments:
Post a Comment