I enjoy learning of faithful living, one component at a time.
And so I enjoyed reading Romans 16 this morning.
Verses 10-27 offer an array of insights into what God desires to see within a local congregation.
We have to extrapolate these insights from a series of affirmations made by the Apostle Paul, but there is no mistaking they are important to God.
Please consider the following excerpts:
‘Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test” — The first person mentioned among the 27 named by Paul, Apelles must have endured a terrible bout of persecution, yet he never wavered in his faith.
Does our fidelity to Christ ever waver when peer pressure or financial pressure or sensual pressure becomes SO strong?
“Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord” — Were Paul to observe your level of volunteer activity at your church or your faith-sharing efforts at work or in the community, would he view you as Persis-tent?
“Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too” — There’s no way for certain to know how Paul knew the 27 people he mentioned from the church at Rome since he had not yet been there for ministry. Bible scholars suggest, however, that Paul maintained active personal correspondence with the church members, some of whom he had met in other cities before they moved to Rome. Rufus and his mother likely were in this category.
It’s quite telling that Rufus was serving in some powerful way according to God’s calling on his life and his mother felt compelled to offer nuturing love and encouragement to Paul in the way of a mom. Have we sought God’s clear leading as to how we should be serving His church? Is there someone in our congregation who needs to be be as a nurturing, spiritual parent offering them love, encouragement and wisdom?
“Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings” — Gauis was one of Paul’s converts in Corinth where the apostle wrote the letter to the Roman believers. Gaius must have been a wealthy man who possibly gave lodging and food to Paul and his ministry companions and perhaps had a home large enough for worship gatherings of the Corinthian church.
We need to regularly ask ourselves how we can offer more hospitality to others at our homes or workplaces. If we never invite people to our house or apartment or to a coffee shop or restaurant — or even to a picnic table in the park — what are we saying to God and to others? It’s not about paying for prime rib or lobster, but instead about investing time and a bit of money into an important relationship.
The people above were affirmed by Paul because they were doing the things that help to build the Kingdom of God. Let’s learn from them and imitate them.
The gospel will have more influence in more lives as a result.
As always, I love you
Martin
