I’m Particular Who I Say Hi To

Romans 16:1-16

I read this part of Romans years ago and I thought about the “woke” speakers accepting an award at the Oscars. They go on and on thanking this person, thanking that person, etc. Very boring. But I kept reading these verses throughout the years and now it is very meaningful to me. The more that I live by the Spirit of Christ the more relevant the Bible becomes.

All through my life I’ve been asked to receive people and to literally befriend them. I’ve tried to do that at family gatherings, with co-workers I was paired with, at community events, etc. For some reason, their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors are totally opposite of someone who lives for Christ. They glorify sexual immorality, partying, laugh about violence, and talk with malice towards the government. They are very critical and not encouraging one bit to the content of the Bible. They seem friendly enough, not threatening at all, but very ungodly.

I look back at those times and recall that they were more skillful than I was at most things and knew things that made me wonder how they could know that. They are those living by the mark of the beast. They are always contrary to the teaching about the love of God found through Jesus Christ,

“If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching,
do not take them into your house or welcome them.”
2 John 10

I definitely have become more stringent who I greet with a “Holy kiss.” I have also found myself more alone. I don’t even think people know what a “Holy kiss” is, but they sure know what “tongue wrestling” is! Where has the fellowship through Christ’s Spirit gone?

Below are some qualities of those who we should greet with a Holy kiss, to treat in a way worthy of Christians, and to be helpful to,

@ Those who contribute to the cause of Jesus Christ.
@ Co-workers in the work given us to do for Jesus Christ.
@ Those who risk their lives for other Christians.
@ Those who have experience living for Jesus Christ.
@ Those who work hard for the cause of Jesus Christ.
@ Those who suffer with us for Jesus Christ.
@ Friendships rooted in Jesus Christ.
@ Those whose loyalty to Christ has been tested.
@ Those who share a similar background and living for Jesus.
@ Those specifically living for Jesus in a specific home.
@ Brothers and sisters in Christ within a group of people.

“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, my fellow Jews who have been in prison with me. 
They are outstanding among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord.
Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in Christ, and my dear friend Stachys.
Greet Apelles, whose fidelity to Christ has stood the test.
Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus.
Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew.
Greet those in the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, those women who work hard in the Lord.
Greet my dear friend Persis, another woman who has worked very hard in the Lord.
Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too.
Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas
and all the Lord’s people who are with them.
Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings.”
Romans 16:1-16