Topic: More than Compliments [Saturday June 18, 2016]
Text: Romans 16:1-16
Key Verse: “Greet Priscilla and Aquila my helpers in Christ Jesus” (Romans 16:3).
Often, we neglect or undermine the powerful effect of simple compliments. Learning to say “hello” or “how do you do?” and having others say that to us has a way of bonding us to them, showing that someone at the least cares for us. Though it may appear just ordinary and commonplace, the effect becomes strong when it is withdrawn.
Think about living in a community or working among a group of people where there is no such exchange of compliments. No doubt, the feeling of loneliness such would bring can be imagined. Interaction and relationship in such environment will often be frictional. To enhance peaceful coexistence and promote harmony, we cannot neglect this simple and ordinary practice of exchanging greetings and complimenting one another. Apostle Paul demonstrated this very well in his ministry and epistles. Particularly, he singled out individuals (whom he had met in one way or the other and had had an influence and impact on his life) for special recognition and greetings. He also instructed the Christians in the Roman church not to neglect doing this. True Christianity does not isolate us from the rest of the people, nor does it make us uncivil. We don’t cease to be humans robbed of all natural human feelings because we have become born-again.
So, it will be entirely wrong to become so withdrawn from the society where we live and refuse to interact in the smallest way as to exchange greetings with neighbours and work fellows. It is even ridiculous to observe some Christians who are too sanctimonious to acknowledge the greetings of others in fellowship talk more of reaching out to greet others. Courtesy and Christianity are not aliens – they agree together. Mutual salutations express, increase, strengthens love and endear Christians one to another
Thought for the day: True religion when rightly received will not make any man uncivil.
Bible Reading in one Year: Colossians 1-4
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
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