June 04, 2019: SOAP #3470:  Proverbs 28-29; Psalm 60; Romans 16

Scripture:  Romans (NIV) 16:1 I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. 2 I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me.

Observation:   As the Apostle Paul finishes his letter to the church in Rome, he mentions more than twenty-five names plus others associated with them to receive his greetings.  The first one is Phoebe a lady who has been of help to many believers, including Paul.  They are to receive her and give help as she may need.  They are to receive her as one child of God should receive another child of God.

When asked which commandment was the greatest, Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ (Matthew 22:37-39)

Later Jesus said, A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. (John 13:34)

So the “way worthy of the saints” must be loving her the way Christ loved them.

Application:  Jesus has raised the bar for me.  More than loving my brothers and sisters as I love myself, I am to love them the way Jesus loves me!   If we all obeyed this command, what a difference it would make in the church!!!

Prayer:  Holy Spirit, to do this I need your help.  Fill me with the Jesus-kind-of-love.  Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!