How I love the life that the Word gives!
Last night my husband and I retired rather early in the evening for us and it gave us time to read a little before sleep claimed us. I flipped to Romans 15 where I had read earlier in the day but never finished. I love Paul’s passion for people. I am also challenged by his passion for people, deeply challenged. In Romans 15 he spends a good amount of time ending his letter on Endurance, Hope, and Encouragement. These are all things that Deanna needs on a daily basis. At the end of the chapter he starts telling them that he wants to come and visit in person. He has to make a trip to Jerusalem to deliver things that a couple of Gentile churches have gathered up for the poor in the holy city. I am uncertain if he ever made it to Rome (something to investigate) after the posting of this letter, but after reading chapter 16, I am convinced his love for these dear people must have made the desire to return something that burdened heavy on his heart.
I read the chapter out loud to Tony after reading it myself. Boy these names will trip you up! However, I was even more moved by reading it out loud than I had been before. I could imagine the people sitting in a room together, maybe an hour of reading had gone by, they hung on every word that this apostle was saying to them. They were Gentiles just like me, so his writing of justification for them must have made them want to shout! When the reading came to a close and they began to hear the different familiar names being called out, don’t you just know that their ears perked up for the calling of their own? Mine would. I imagined a young man who struggled with approval his whole life, learning in Romans 8 that he was not condemned anymore. His mind still swirling with the knowledge of how much love the Father had for him. Always seeing himself as beneath everyone else in a way that left his shoulders stooped with discouragement. As he began to hear his “co-workers in the faith” marvel at the words given to them, he smiled, never imagining for a moment that the great apostle would say something to him.
Then… it happened. ” Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ.” How the tears must have sprung up in his eyes as they did mine last night and again this morning as I type these words! How he must have wondered if the reader made a mistake! Can you imagine? Me? Approved in Christ? As others smiled at him and patted him on the back, would he have sat up straighter or instead fallen to his knees in thankfulness?
I don’t know where you are in your life’s journey right now. But, I can tell you that I needed, and my husband needed to hear the words “You are approved in Christ.” Maybe take the time today to struggle through this chapter of names and see how God may speak to your heart. Be encouraged, “The God of peace will soon crush satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”
Romans 16
Personal Greetings
16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church at Cenchreae, 2 that you may welcome her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints, and help her in whatever she may need from you, for she has been a patron of many and of myself as well.
3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well. 5 Greet also the church in their house. Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia. 6 Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. 8 Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. 10 Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. 11 Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. 12 Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.
Final Instructions and Greetings
17 I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.
22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.
23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.
Doxology
25 Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
