Worthy Of The Saints

I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is a servant of the church in Cenchrea, that you may receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and assist her in whatever business she has need of you; for indeed she has been a helper of many and of myself also.  Romans 16:1-2

Paul calls upon the church in Rome to receive sister Phoebe in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints. So what is this manner the saints of the Lord are to be ready to receive one another? We know the answer though we do not always do it. Start with the love Jesus commanded us to have toward each other. Then do not judge the one received on the basis of sex, appearance, wealth, age, how useful he or she might be to you or the church, or anything other quality or characteristic we might think up to deny the saint our best reception. Any other quality? Yes indeed, imagine for a moment how one of those superstar famous folks might be treated coming into your church or group against how the stranger a little rough in appearance might be at first received. A manner worthy of the saints is one of those things which we must learn, and thus it is not going to be easy. Any church or group will find it much easier to circle the wagons and look with suspicion upon the stranger. Which is probably why brother Paul thought to send a letter of commendation for Phoebe including a bit of her saintly resume to the new place in Rome.

The Lord's blessings to you on this coolish morning!

Bucky