ESOCS Devotional 7 April 2025 – The Duties of Christians
MEMORY VERSE: “I commend unto you Phebe our sister, which is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea: That ye receive her in the Lord, as becometh saints, and that ye assist her in whatsoever business she hath need of you: for she hath been a succorer of many, and of myself also.” Romans 16:1-2
TEXT: ROMANS 16:1-16
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.
3 Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, 4 who risked their own necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles. 5 Likewise greet the church that is in their house.
Greet my beloved Epaenetus, who is the firstfruits of Achaia to Christ. 6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us. 7 Greet Andronicus and Junia, my countrymen and my fellow prisoners, who are of note among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.
8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord. 9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved. 10 Greet Apelles, approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus. 11 Greet Herodion, my countryman. Greet those who are of the household of Narcissus who are in the Lord.
12 Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, who have labored in the Lord. Greet the beloved Persis, who labored much in the Lord. 13 Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.
16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you.
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As much as we were given the free will of choice as humans, let us not forget the commandment of Jesus Christ to love one another. We see in our text today (v 1) how much Apostle Paul gave a very good character of a woman named Phebe. He mentioned her as a sister – Phebe our Sister, not in nature but in grace and Christianity, a sister in the faith of Christ. Though at the time we note that women were not allowed to preach or speak in public, but here was Apostle Paul speaking so highly of a woman and even recommending her to the church. She may not have been in the frontline of the soul winning in the sense of preaching, but we can as well assume that in Hospitality, in kindness, and in one way or the other, she had won the hearts of the church, and in turn for that, she had received the Apostle’s recommendation.
Unto the part of the church, Apostle Paul asked of the church that she be received in the Lord, and that they assist her in whatever business she wants to do. She has done her part for the church, now it is the turn of the church to show her equal love and kindness, as our Lord Jesus taught. Let us not deny the fact that our attitudes towards one another, determines to a great extent, the growth of the church of God. Charity (Love) and Christianity go hand in hand, there is not one without the other. The things we do or say, go a long way in changing the perspectives of others about the church. The characters we show, tells a great deal about the church we come from, like our Cherubim and Seraphim hymn 204, verse 3 says, “Let us with our manners call others to come.” Let’s be watchful and careful of the character we show.
It would be more of a blessing to us as Christians if our actions very well call others to come into the Christian fold, than chasing them out. Our duties as Christians should be to love one another, and strive for the betterment of the Church. For in so doing, we serve Christ and it would count to us for good someday. It is upon us Christians to be helpful to one another, and towards strangers, for we all are members of one body, and we know not how that help would come back to speak for us one day.
Let us all strive in one way or the other to make ourselves and our services available for the betterment of the church. Let it not be that in our time the people have reasons to doubt the oneness of the body of Christ. As Apostle Paul spoke for Phebe that had been so helpful to many, let us note also that he that waters, shall also be watered, which means that whatever we do in secret or in open, would surely be repaid, be it good, or evil.
CHALLENGES
- Let us all strive to love one another, as Christ has loved the church (us).
PRAYER POINT
- Lord, grant us the spirit of love, to further the work of your Church and not be the reason it crumbles. Amen!
FURTHER READING: Exodus 16: 1-36; Romans 16:17-26
ESOCS Devotional 7 April 2025
