Today's Reading:
Romans 13,14,15,16
Scripture
"I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of his people and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been the benefactor of many people, including me. Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my co-workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia...” (Romans 16:1-9)
Observation
As the words from the apostle's pen come to the final paragraph, he ends with what he feels is most important. He has already dealt with doctrine. He addressed the tension that exists between spirit and flesh. He spoke of submission and spiritual disciplines, but now, he saves the most important for his concluding remarks.
Paul mentions twenty-eight people by name! And to each relationship, he attached a word of heartfelt gratitude. No, you don't find any anonymous groupings here. You won't find generalizations here, or for expediency's sake, a lumped together group thanked in mass. Instead, you will be moved by an intimate conversation among friends.
Relationships. That's what Paul treasured the most in the end. I have often seen that. I have sat with many who have come to the final moments of their life on earth. In those precious concluding moments, the unimportant fades, and only that, which is vital, remains. And without fail, their greatest treasure? Healthy relationships. And their greatest pain? Unresolved or broken ones. Sometimes we don't recognize that which is most eternal until we are standing face to face with it. But why wait? Jesus reminded us that the greatest commandment, in Mark 12:30, is to love God with all we've got, and then do the same with those around us. He then concludes with these words: "There is no greater commandment ..." And what’s that? Living in healthy relationships.
Application
It doesn't mean we will always agree. Unity does not mean conformity or cloning each other. It does mean, however, that we always support. We always speak well of. We always love, and we always stay on the same team. And when God sees that happening in His family, He leans over the banister of heaven, and, with a sigh of delight, says: "It just doesn't get any better!"
Prayer
Dear Father, please remind me again and again of this great commandment which Paul so clearly emphasizes. Today I will be cognizant of relationships and invest in them early on.
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