Introductory Thoughts
Everything about the Christian life is wrapped up and founded in the person of Jesus Christ. For instance, the Bible says that the saints witness to the lost “in Christ’s stead” (2 Corinthians 5:20). The saints find their approval “in Christ” (Romans 16:10). Their love for each other is “in Christ Jesus” (1 Corinthians 16:24). It should, therefore, be of no surprise that the saints’ salutations are also given “in the Lord” (Romans 16:22; 1 Corinthians 16:19). This means that the salutations of the saints are to be given through prayer along with the word of God and will of God in mind. The saints of God should salute one another as led by the Lord to do so. Those salutations are offered as ambassadors of Christ.
Devotional Thoughts
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(For children): Read Colossians 3:17a. This includes salutations. Our greetings should bring glory to God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Our greetings should build people up in the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:26b; 2 Corinthians 12:19b; Ephesians 4:29).
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(For everyone): Read some of Pauls salutations. What words or phrases did he use to signify that his salutations were given with the will of God and the ministry in mind?
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Do you greet your brothers and sisters in Christ only with carnal talk and carnal subjects? How can this be a sinful practice and a failure on your part to minister for the Lord?
Prayer Thoughts
- Ask the Lord to help you take your salutations seriously.
- Ask God to help you realize that you are always His ambassador.
Song
LET US RUN THE CHRISTIAN RACE
