ARE YOU IN THE NUMBER
Romans 16:1,3-4,6
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.
Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.
Chapter 16 of the book of Romans seems to be a different letter of Paul to the church in Rome after he had successfully visited them. This is ascertained by most bible scholars. The letter brings to us a probing question.
What is our testimony?
When the list of those who have served the Lord is read, will we be in the number.
Observe the list of women starting from Phoebe to Priscilla and Aquila to others. Everyone had a part in the furtherance of the gospel.
I have this picture in mind, of when we meet Christ at the end of times/our time. He pulls out our file, what will our record be?
No one is excluded, no one is meant to just exist, as believers we add savour, yes, we bear fruit.
John 15:8
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
After yesterday's topic on christian sacrifice, someone commented and asked "what sacrifice? He seemed to ask, what sacrifice, when Christ has already sacrificed all for us?
Hmm, we must be careful not to miss it, we do not work to receive our salvation, it is a gift. However the gift brings us to become members of a family and every one of us have a part to play.
2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
1 John 3:16,18
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
We do NOT just receive, we give!
On the contrary there are some, who do not join to build, instead they destroy by causing divisions. They are always seen in all fellowships. We should have no pact with them:
Romans 16:17-18
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
These type of people are selfish, they do not truly love Christ, they are just in for what they can get. Imagine joining a fellowship just to get customers for your business, or one type of connection or the other. The root essence of fellowship is dead.
Paul further admonishes:
Romans 16:19
But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.
Yes they had the testimony of being obedient to God, however we must never let our guard down.
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
We will always be victorious.
We will be found faithful
We will finish well.
Romans 16:27
All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
He calls us blessed.
Love
@the watcher.
I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a deacon in the church in Cenchrea.
Give my greetings to Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in the ministry of Christ Jesus.
In fact, they once risked their lives for me. I am thankful to them, and so are all the Gentile churches.
Give my greetings to Mary, who has worked so hard for your benefit.
Chapter 16 of the book of Romans seems to be a different letter of Paul to the church in Rome after he had successfully visited them. This is ascertained by most bible scholars. The letter brings to us a probing question.
What is our testimony?
When the list of those who have served the Lord is read, will we be in the number.
Observe the list of women starting from Phoebe to Priscilla and Aquila to others. Everyone had a part in the furtherance of the gospel.
I have this picture in mind, of when we meet Christ at the end of times/our time. He pulls out our file, what will our record be?
No one is excluded, no one is meant to just exist, as believers we add savour, yes, we bear fruit.
John 15:8
When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
After yesterday's topic on christian sacrifice, someone commented and asked "what sacrifice? He seemed to ask, what sacrifice, when Christ has already sacrificed all for us?
Hmm, we must be careful not to miss it, we do not work to receive our salvation, it is a gift. However the gift brings us to become members of a family and every one of us have a part to play.
2 Corinthians 5:15
He died for everyone so that those who receive his new life will no longer live for themselves. Instead, they will live for Christ, who died and was raised for them.
1 John 3:16,18
We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters.
Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions.
We do NOT just receive, we give!
On the contrary there are some, who do not join to build, instead they destroy by causing divisions. They are always seen in all fellowships. We should have no pact with them:
Romans 16:17-18
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them.
Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people.
These type of people are selfish, they do not truly love Christ, they are just in for what they can get. Imagine joining a fellowship just to get customers for your business, or one type of connection or the other. The root essence of fellowship is dead.
Paul further admonishes:
Romans 16:19
But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong.
Yes they had the testimony of being obedient to God, however we must never let our guard down.
Romans 16:20
The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
We will always be victorious.
We will be found faithful
We will finish well.
Romans 16:27
All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.
He calls us blessed.
Love
@the watcher.
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