MORE THAN A POSTAL SERVICE

 

Romans 16:1-2  I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a servant of the church in Cenchrea. I ask you to receive her in the Lord in a way worthy of the saints and to give her any help she may need from you, for she has been a great help to many people, including me. (NIV)
 

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You can read the verses around this Bible passage from the Internet Bible: - in English, and many other languages

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People are important! As Paul completed his letter about doctrine (teaching from God), he commended a wide variety of people who had already put the teaching into practice. All who believe the teaching of the gospel are equally children in God's kingdom (John 1:12); brothers or sisters in Christ. This chapter reveals the diversity of mutual friendship, known to the Christians in Rome and to Paul - people whose lives were changed by the teaching.

Phoebe is mentioned first. She was a deaconess (the word is used for a church official as well as its common meaning of 'servant') in the church at the seaport a few miles east of Corinth. She was to be the personal courier of this letter: trusted by the church and chosen by Paul for this responsibility. Clearly Phoebe had a servant heart, having already met the needs of many people including the apostle. So Paul asked that she should be properly honoured, given appropriate hospitality, and perhaps even her expenses paid. But she was more than a postal courier; she was a sister to Paul and the Christians in Rome and had understood the meaning of the letter, because she had been transformed by it (Romans 12:1-2).
 
While it is very good to give people literature about Jesus, the best evidence of His transforming power is the believer whose life has been changed. When those people recommend the Bible, their message has a personal authenticity. You do not have to be an author to recommend a helpful text tract to your friend. Like Phoebe, who did not write a word of Romans, you can carry a short gospel tract with you (or recommend an internet site like www.crosscheck.org.uk). Whether you are specially commissioned to courier Bibles, or you are a believer who travels, make sure to carry the Word which has transformed you; and be ready to give it out to those who want to know the truth.

Prayer:  Dear Lord God. Thank You for those who told me the gospel and encouraged me to believe in Jesus. I am sorry that I am so busy with what I have to do that I do not make sharing the gospel a priority. Please help me to see that I can be a messenger of Your Word by carrying it to give to others, or recommend helpful websites. May I learn to be servant-hearted like Phoebe so that others may come to understand Your teaching and be saved. In Jesus Name. Amen.