Today's Eagle's Wings: Tuesday, February 09, 2010

Who were they? Indeed, who were the vast majority of the long list of names in Romans 16 to whom Paul sends his greetings? We would wonder what profit there is to be gained by the consideration of these verses. If we look a little more closely, we will see that there is a valuable lesson to be learned from this passage of seemingly disjointed salutations.

Let us remember first that these were people to whom Paul wanted especially to give his regards. Somewhere, somehow, their lives had crossed his. Probably they had been won to Christ through Pauls ministry and had repaid the apostle by helping him through very difficult times. Paul loved them because they were the Lords people, but he felt especially indebted to them and wanted to be remembered to them because of their service.

There is no mention of their gifts, money, or winning personalitiesjust their labour. These were just common, ordinary people who served the Lord in whatever way they could. And for that, they are forever immortalized in Gods Word.

Somehow we have got it all backwards. It seems that too often the wealthy, or the intelligent, or the gifted get most of the recognition in many churches. I do not know who these people in this passage were, but God wants us to remember them for their work in His vineyard. You see, what is vital to the work of God is the common, ordinary labourer. Too many Christians feel useless to God because they do not have many talents or much money or a winning personality. But what God wants is you!

It was their labours that put these people in Pauls heart and prayers. Now tell me, if you were living then, would he have remembered you? Would your name be found among these servants of God? If not, why not? Oh, let nothing keep you back from throwing your all into Gods work.