SPIRITUAL FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

 

Romans 16:13-16  Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brothers with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings. (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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When we come to Christ, we also become a part of His family: and the relationships we develop, in the Lord, are very special. Many Christian women are mothers, not just biologically, but have become the wise and caring 'mothers' of other believers. The Apostle Paul valued the loving way in which the mother of Rufus had cared for him. Rufus may well have been the son of Simon of Cyrene who carried Jesus' cross (Mark 15:21). If so, his mother would have been Simon's wife; doubtless deeply moved by that close but unexpected association with Jesus.
 
We know almost nothing about the other people mentioned except that Paul knew them, honoured them as believers in the Lord and valued them as part of his spiritual family. It is impossible to read these verses without realising that the Apostle was a deeply sensitive people-person - who not only watched over people pastorally but saw himself as their brother.

We all have different personalities. Some will be highly relational. Others are mainly task-orientated; focussed on getting the job done irrespective of how relationships might be disturbed in the process. But the Apostle Paul was clearly focussed on his ministry objectives and yet he was also highly relational. Today's passage shows his warm, loving relationships with the many believers he brought to faith and encountered during his travels. All this was because of his relationship with the Lord Jesus, and his willingness to allow the Holy Spirit to drive his agenda. When God is in control then people and projects find their right priorities. So today, give your work to the Lord, let Him control the agenda; and consider how your godly task-time management will enhance your relationships with others for the sake of Christ.

Prayer:  Dear Heavenly Father. Thank You for welcoming me into Your family. You have given me so many spiritual siblings and people who You have appointed to care for me in different ways. Please forgive me when I am more focussed on the tasks I have to do, than nurturing my spiritual family relationships with others. Please help me to understand that everything You do is about moving people into a right relationship with the Lord Jesus. So help me to work with You to enable this to happen. In Jesus' Name. Amen.