We\u2019ve been exploring what Paul might have had in mind when he wrote:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching<\/a><\/strong> to which you were committed. (Romans 6.17, ESV, emphasis mine)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n What is the standard of teaching? The Greek word for \u201cstandard\u201d is typos<\/em>, also translated \u201cpattern\u201d and \u201cexample,\u201d the very word used in 1 Timothy 4.12:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Yesterday<\/a>, we talked about conduct; today, love<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n We all understand that love is the central message of the gospel, yes? But let’s explore a bit anyway. Andy Stanley argues in his book Irresistible<\/a> that the early church’s governing behavior was love. They didn’t have “chapter and verse” like we have today, but they did know Jesus’ “new commandment:”<\/p>\n\n\n\n A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. (John 13.34, 35, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Andy says that he teaches his congregation the following mantra:<\/p>\n\n\n\n WHEN UNSURE OF WHAT TO SAY OR DO, ASK WHAT LOVE REQUIRES OF YOU.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Andy has some really good applications of this principle to today’s issues. I don’t want you to miss them so I’ll finish this blog tomorrow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law. For the commandments, \u201cYou shall not commit adultery, You shall not murder, You shall not steal, You shall not covet,\u201d and any other commandment, are summed up in this word: \u201cYou shall love your neighbor as yourself.\u201d Love does no wrong to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfilling of the law. (Romans 13.8 – 10, ESV)<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" We\u2019ve been exploring what Paul might have had in mind when he wrote: But thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed. (Romans 6.17, ESV, emphasis mine) What is the standard of teaching? The Greek word for … Continue reading Following the pattern: love<\/span>