WHAT WOULD BE SAID ABOUT ME?
Romans 16:1-2
“I commend to you Phoebe our sister, who is
a servant of the church in Cenchrea,
2
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.”
Throughout the written word from the Apostles of Jesus Christ, there is a
pattern of commendation! Note:
Philippians 2:19-24
“But I trust in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy
to you shortly, that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.
20
For I have no one like-minded, who will sincerely care for your state.
21
For all seek their own, not the things which are of Christ Jesus.
22
But you know his proven character, that as a son with his father he
served with me in the gospel.
23
Therefore I hope to send him at once, as soon as I see how it goes with me.
24
But I trust in the Lord that I myself shall also come shortly.”
2 Corinthians 8:23
“If anyone inquires about Titus,
he is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren
are inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of
Christ.”
Also see:
Romans 16:3-16;
1 Corinthians 16:3;
Ephesians 6:21;
Colossians 4:7-9;
Philippians 2:25-30;
3 John 12.
Just as there was a pattern of approval, there was also a pattern of warning
for the ship wrecked and the blatant false teachers.
1 Timothy 1:19-20
“having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning
the faith have suffered shipwreck,
20
of whom are Hymenaeus and
Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that
they may learn not to blaspheme.”
2 Timothy 1:15
“This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom
are Phygellus and
Hermogenes.”
These
patterns did not exist in order to establish clicks, or popularity status;
they existed for the improved function of the body of Christ; or as warning
to the faithful to be on guard against those who would do her harm, or to
warn those who were straying away from safety of walking in light (1
John 1:7).
If the
Apostles of the Lord were to evaluate us in a letter to the brethren;
“WHAT WOULD THEY SAY ABOUT ME?”
We need
never to fear death, persecution, illness, men, etc… We need only to
fear that we may fail to serve the Lord, our children, our parents, our
spouses, our brethren, our fellow men who need the Gospel of Christ, and
ourselves!!!
1 Corinthians 15:58
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding
in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the
Lord.”
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to
give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in
you, with meekness and fear”