1 Corinthians 11:2

Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you (KJV)

Then: Corinthians reading could tell something changed. Paul just told them to be like him, and thereby be like Christ. Now he is praising them. Welcome relief - but something's coming.

Now: Praise is always an encourager. We know the person talking to us approves of what we do and believes we are on the right track. It opens our minds to knowing that hope of success lies ahead. As we respond to Paul and pass his teachings along, we also need to pass along an attitude of seeing others as Christ sees them. In the Lord's eyes no one is a lost cause, perhaps a lost sheep, but somewhere deep inside burns the hope of knowing God, of loving and being loved. May we study Paul and follow his examples.