https://peltononpreaching.com Helping Pastors Preach with Precision and Passion Sun, 29 Mar 2026 23:59:08 +0000 en-US hourly 1 63491461 https://peltononpreaching.com/2012/03/14/meaning-through-contrast/ https://peltononpreaching.com/2012/03/14/meaning-through-contrast/#respond Wed, 14 Mar 2012 08:27:00 +0000 Randal Pelton, Ph.D., D.Min., Th.M. http://peltononpreaching.wordpress.com/2012/03/14/meaning-through-contrast Romans 12:12 reads, “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.”  I have found it helpful to explain the meaning of commands by exploring the opposites of these attitudes and actions.  If you decide, for instance, to preach verse 12, each command becomes one major thought block.  Each thought block might contain a brief segment on how the un-renewed mind thinks and acts (cf. the context of Romans 12:2 where the renewing of your mind is the way the transformation of a Christian occurs).  So, instead of being patient in tribulation, the un-renewed mind is focused on the irritation the troubling circumstances are causing and wants out.  The contrast helps everyone understand the meaning of being patient in tribulation.

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