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Remember what we taught you by the authority of the Lord Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:2, NLT).
Paul wanted the Thessalonians and all the churches that he had impacted through his apostolic leadership to remember what he taught them. His teachings, even to this day, continue to be the most influential instructions (other than Jesus’) in the history of the world.
I want to remember his teachings, too. How about you?
The primary technique Paul used in his letter writing was lists. Every epistle that he wrote has a list and typically several lists.
Some of his lists are famous …
- About love in 1 Corinthians 13. How many of us have heard this list?
Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud (1 Corinthians 13:4).
- We also have the fruit of the Spirit list.
The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
- Personally, I enjoy reading about the weapons of our spiritual warfare. We have the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, having shod our feet with the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:13-17).
There are six sin lists. Read an example in 1 Timothy 1:9-10.
And giving a counterweight to the sin lists are lists of righteousness. I’ve memorized Ephesians 4:2-3 …
With all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love, being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Other lists include …
- Gifts of the Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12, Romans 12, and Ephesians 4.
- Types of prayers in 1 Timothy 2:1-2.
- And a list of Paul’s excruciating hardships in 2 Corinthians 11:24-31.
Yes, many lists.
Paul uses his lists to help the first-century church remember his teachings. With no social media and limited books or manuscripts, the early Christians could memorize Paul’s summary lists as a catechism to help their spiritual maturity.
What list should we memorize today? Any of the above lists would suffice, but I’ve been blessed by Colossians 3:12 lately …
Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.
For those just getting started in ministry, memorize the list that Paul gave to his disciple Timothy …
God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
A couple of years ago, having become too familiar with reading Paul’s epistles, when I came to a list, I rushed through it. I became convicted that I was to stop at each list and read it out loud.
In the next week, during your devotional time, look up each of the lists mentioned in this Interruption and read them out loud.
You will be blessed.