Romans 12:9-21 ASV

People who get really good at something, whether it is Micheal Jordan or Tiger Woods, or whoever, can do amazing things because they keep working on the basics. Nothing works without the basics firmly in place. After the discussion of a life that belongs fully to God by offering, by commitment, by using what God has given for His Kingdom and His glory, it's a good time to review the basics. Life with God doesn't work if we forget the main things. it strikes me as I read this amazing list of phases how they come from the words of Jesus. It seems like Paul is looking back at what he learned from the words of Jesus and says, "and whatever you do remember these." An interesting exercise (that I'm not going to take space for here) would be to connect each command to the source of Jesus words. The most vital part, though, is that we live this. These need to become the way we naturally (supernaturally, really) live. This is life - when we love, when we serve and respect and honor people; when we live with all the gusto, full tilt in life with God and blessing the world. This is life - holding on to all that is good and important and doing those things that open us to God and produce fruit. I guess books of lists aren't really so new. Paul helped us by listing things Jesus tells us to do a long time ago. Basics don't change very much. God help us live like Jesus!