“Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you.” vs16

Greet one another with love and affection, because we are one in Christ.

First, it only matters that we are in the Lord [vs7-11]. “Greet Andronicus and Junias, my fellow countrymen and fellow prisoners. They are distinguished among the apostles, and they were in Christ before I was. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the household of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow countryman. Greet those from the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.” Being in the Lord means that we are baptized into His death and resurrection: We believe the gospel [Rom 6:3-4]. We CANNOT be in the body without faith in Christ.

Any gospel that is not the gospel cannot save. Paul says, “You heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise [Eph 1:13].” He says, “The message of truth, the gospel that has come to you. It is bearing fruit and growing all over the world, just as it has among you since the day you heart it and knew God’s grace in the truth [Col 1:5-6].” John says, “What you have heard from the beginning must remain in you. If what you have heard from the beginning remains in you, then you will remain in the Son and in the Father [1 John 2:24].” We cannot be saved by a false gospel: We are united to each other, not merely by works, but good works in the Lord... not merely by love but also by truth, and these must always go together.

If we have this bond, then let us be the greatest of friends and put aside every difference. We cannot allow opinions and minor things to separate us. We must be forgiving, and give space, taking no offence. (I’m delighted to disagree with a brother over a non-essential and keep moving forward in the gospel together.) We must consider each other in love, lifting up the Head, our Lord Jesus Christ.

Secondly, work hard in the Lord [vs12]! “Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard in the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has worked very hard in the Lord.” Do not merely be in Christ but get to work. Do not merely know the gospel, but use it to live zealously [Titus 2:14]. Do not merely hear good sermons and know good saints, but GET TO WORK yourself, and use them as an example. Do not say, “They’ll do it,” but do it yourself! Don’t merely say, “Wow,” as you look at others, but you be an example [1 Tim 4:12].

Brothers, we’ve found something to do: Let us do it with all our might. Eccl 9:10, “Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength, because there is no work, planning, knowledge, or wisdom in the grave where you are going.” You will get joy, you will get respect, and you will get God’s help. If you gather to give, then God will give you more. If you confess sins to serve, then God will help you. If you are living selfishly, however, then He will fight against your peace [Hag 1:9]. Please, be happy by serving others and advancing the kingdom. Water, and you will be watered [Prov 11:25]. Give, and you will abundantly receive.

Thirdly, greet everybody [vs15]. “Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.” Don’t just greet the top notch and those that stand above. Don’t be the kind of person that kisses up to great saints and despises your equals. Do not look on the high with admiration and then on the lowly with disdain. Serve someone “beneath” you. Look up to how others minister to you, so you can learn. Do not be high minded or haughty [Rom 12:16]. Learn from the least saints.

In my own journey, I’ve had to outgrow hero worship: It is merely pride, a lack of love, and self-righteousness. I looked up to some and down upon others, but we’re to esteem all who preach the truth and EVERY saint [1 Thess 5:11-12]. Let it not be said, “When the pastor is around, she’s loving. When it’s just ‘regular’ saints, she holds us in contempt.” Christ died for all His church. All were predestined and loved with the same love.