“Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16)
Love one another, prefer one another, accept one another and today we look at “Greet one another.”
Beloved think about the warmest greeting you have ever experienced. Now think about a time when the greeting was cold. Have you ever touched someone who did not want to be touched? Paul wrote many of the New Testament letters in Ephesians 1: 1-2 he greets them with a wish, Grace and Peace to you. In Romans 1:7 he says the same, Grace and Peace to you. A warm greeting communicates so many things. For example, I have missed you, or I have been thinking about you, or it has been so long since I have seen you. A sincere greeting can help heal a strained relationship. Such as, I really needed to see you, or it has been too long since we last spoke. Lastly when we greet others, we let them know how approachable we are. When we are approachable we greet a person with eye contact, an out held hand or sometimes a brotherly hug. In my job, I introduce myself and offer to shake hands and sometimes I leave giving them a hug. It is best to have eye contact, be proactive in greeting someone, greet a group of people one at a time, greet as an individual, asking the name of the person, and be careful not to assume that you know the person before you do know the person. Listening is part of greeting a person, because one needs to remember the names. My pastor has an amazing gift, he never forgets a face even if he meets you once and you meet him again several months later. I do not have that gift but I want you to know how special it makes me feel that he never forget my name. God never forgets your name either. John 10 is a chapter about the good shepherd knowing his sheep by name.This week try and meet more people and greet them with a smile. Develop a greeting vocabulary. “Hello, my name is _______and it is good to see you or meet you.” When we greet someone, we may be the only Jesus that person will meet. Blessings
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