21/09/2022 - POWERFUL GREETING

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Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Philemon 1.3

It seems that the apostle to the Gentiles, Paul, the greatest evangelist of the early Church, was well-intentioned in greeting those who would learn of his letters, and this was good. However, we do not know whether this way of addressing people was taught in his meetings. So, there is no need to imitate him by giving the same greeting when we meet a brother, unless we feel it from the Lord.

If you feel you must make such a statement, or create your own, talk to God. He can instruct you in this matter. But the important thing is to act from the heart, and not to turn your words into a commonplace greeting. Now, it’s nice and good to be polite to everyone, asking how they are doing. It’s not good to get into a dispute about how to greet people, especially the brothers. The right thing to do is what God commands.

Judas Iscariot greeted Jesus with a kiss. That kiss was not a simple kiss, but a sign that Christ was wanted to be killed (Mark 14.44; Luke 22.47,48). Remember: it was night time when Judas negotiated the betrayal for 30 pieces of silver (Matthew 26:15). The price was derisory, but the intent was the most diabolical as possible. The priests must have feared that the Savior would escape from their hands, as it happened in Nazareth, when they tried to throw Him over the cliff (Luke 4.28-30).

One must have real trust in the Almighty, for Jesus warned that the time would come when many follies would be committed against His servants: They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service (John 16.2). In this warning, it is clear that the time is to stay alert and pray, because the devil will use his minions to attack God’s children. Don’t forget that!

Fanaticism exists all over the world; in religions, politics, entertainment, science, sports, etc. The weak feel that their ideas are better than those of others, so they resort to violence to stand out. This is why we need the Lord’s move towards us, which is His grace. It saves us, heals us, and gives us the strength to win our battles through the Holy Spirit, so that we can behave as the Lord wants us to (1 Peter 5.2-4). It is written!

God’s flock must be shepherded with the care, tenderness and gentleness of the Holy Spirit. Whoever is lifted up by the Most High to take care of His sheep can never let force carry out the work, whether it be physical, moral or sentimental. It is not good to do anything that needs man’s help; therefore, seek heavenly help. Not out of greed, but with good cheer. We are simply agents of Heaven. The work is the Father’s!

The true side of everything is the Lord’s, for He alone is the Truth (John 14.6). If we take control of the divine work, it will come out crooked. Whoever allows himself to be led by the lies of the enemy and does not turn back, even though he knows that where there is no fear of God there is confusion and all kinds of filthy things, will find out on the Last Day that they have signed their sentence to eternal damnation!

In Christ, with love,

R. R. Soares