2 Corinthians 1.3-7 is all about the comfort we receive and provide because of the affliction endured by Jesus Christ:

• God the Father is the God of all comfort
• He comforts us in all our afflictions
• We are then able to comfort others in any affliction
• The comfort we provide is the same as the comfort we received.
• Our afflictions are a sharing in Christ’s suffering; our comfort is the same as provided to Christ.

Just as the gospel witness is heard and then spoken, comfort is received and then provided.

Isaiah 62.2 declares there is a coming renewal for Zion, His holy place, after the stench of exile is removed. Zion shall be called by a new name (vs 2):

• You shall no more be termed Forsaken (4)
• Your land shall no more be termed Desolate (4)
• You shall be called My Delight Is in Her (4)
• Your land shall be called Married (4)
• The inhabitants shall be called The Holy People (12)
• They shall be The Redeemed of the LORD (12)
• You (Zion) shall be called Sought Out, A City Not Forsaken  (12)

In the first chapter of Philippians, Paul prays several times for his friends.  In particular, verses 9-11 asks for them that

• Your love may abound more and more
• Your love will be filled with knowledge and all discernment
• You may be able to approve what is excellent
• You may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ
• You may be filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes from Christ
• You may glorify and praise God

Not bad for a one-sentence prayer!

Psalm 25.8 makes this proclamation:  “Good and upright is the LORD.” And then the verses follow with a therefore:

• He instructs sinners in their way
• He leads the humble in what is right
• He teaches the humble his way
• All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness

The last one has a caveat – “for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.”

This is akin to the caveat in Romans 8.28 “All things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.”

If yesterday’s  list was delivered in Staccato style (short and sharp), then today’s, from Romans 12.14-21 is more Legato – longer phrases linked together.  No matter the delivery, all describe how Christian are to act.

• Bless those who persecute you, bless and do not curse them
• Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep
• Live in harmony with one another
• Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly
• Never be wise in your own sight
• Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to what is honorable in the sight of all
• If possible, as far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all
• Never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God
• If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink
• Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good

Four days, four lists, lots to think about from Romans 12.

God gives spiritual gifts that differ according to the grace given (see yesterday’s list), but ALL Christians are called to a lifestyle where the following actions are exhibited (Romans 12.9-13):

• Let love be genuine
• Abhor what is evil
• Hold fast to what is good
• Love one another with brotherly affection
• Outdo one another in showing honor
• Do not be slothful in zeal
• Be fervent in spirit
• Serve the Lord
• Rejoice in hope
• Be patient in tribulation
• Be constant in prayer
• Contribute to the needs of the saints
• Seek to show hospitality

If that is not enough, then look for tomorrow’s holy list, which includes a number of commands for dealing with evil or quarrelsome people.

Christians are part of one body in Christ, and we all need each other.  Romans 12.4-8 describes several spiritual gifts that the body of Christ needs.  Just as in verse 3 (see yesterday’s post) God has assigned a “measure” of faith, so we learn in verse 6 that each person has gifts that “differ according to the grace given.”

The gifts are to be used for the good of the body

• If prophecy, in proportion to faith
• If service, in serving
• If teaching, be a teacher
• If exhortation, then exhort
• If monetary contributions, in generosity
• If leadership, with zeal
• If acts of mercy, with cheerfulness

We see that attitude is important in using gifts, and tomorrow we see a list of actions that characterize Christians.

Romans 12 has multiple great lists; the author, Paul, must have been one organized fellow.  Four posts in a row are going to look at the lists. Today we look at the first 3 verses of Romans 12, which call Paul’s Christian brothers to continually worship God in all they do, by   

• Presenting your bodies as a holy and acceptable sacrifice to God
• Not being conformed to this world
• Being transformed by the renewal of your mind
• By testing, discerning what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect
• Not thinking more highly of yourself than you ought
• Thinking with sober judgment
• Exercising the measure of faith God has assigned

The fact that God has assigned a “measure” of faith to each believer sets up the next list – spiritual gifts allotted.  See tomorrow’s post.

The biggest blessing day EVER happened some 1800 to 2200 years before Christ.  God said to Abram in Genesis 12.1-4, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.  And:”

• I will make of you a great nation
• I will bless you
• I will make your name great
• You will be a blessing
• I will bless those who bless you
• Him who dishonors you I will curse
• In you all the families of the earth will be blessed

God kept all those promises, including the coming of Jesus, as angelically announced in Luke 2.10,”Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord.”

There are two inter-related lists in Romans 5.1-5.  The first group describes results of our being justified by faith:

• We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ
• We have obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand
• We rejoice in hope of the glory of God
• More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings.

What was that last one? Peace, grace, hope, and glory all sound good, but what’s with suffering? Indeed this passage explains the purpose of our sufferings (and everyone has them):

• Suffering produces endurance
• Endurance produces character
• Character produces hope
• Hope does not put us to shame

Why? Because God’s love has been poured in to our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. So suffering now is a productive gift for the present and the future.