PAULINE DOXOLOGY - PART 3

SATURDAY 04 NOVEMBER 2023

Just like apostle Paul, there will be times when you are prompted to appreciate the people of God around you by means of greetings and commendations, and also times when you are inspired to give God your personal doxology. In many churches, it is customary for the congregation to participate in doxology, whether sung, declared or recited, especially at the end of the service. More below!

Reference: Romans 16:25-27 New International Version (NIV) "Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen."

Sending greetings and commendations is to profess great delight in the association you hold with people of similar interests, meaning that it is more social oriented, especially in team-based activities. The more you are knowledgeable about God's people in your circle or immediate world and their heartfelt contributions and responsibilities in the house of God, the more specific, noteworthy and encouraging your acclamation about them becomes, and the greater your greetings and commendations are valued, appreciated and perceived by them.

Greetings and commendations are impressive display of positive recognition that serve as a source of mental, spiritual and emotional strength to the receiver. It empowers the hearer or receiver to upgrade their good works or deeds. When you acknowledge the people of God and their profitable impact in the Kingdom, you are letting them know that they deserve candid honour because God approves their good works.

For example, in the beginning of Romans 16, apostle Paul commended to the Romans, Phoebe, a sister in Christ, who was a servant of the church in Cenchrea, urging them to receive her in the Lord in a manner worthy of the saints, and also assist her in whatever business she had need of them, making mention of her good works and generosity in his recommendation.

Phoebe was a faithful deacon in an organised church in Cenchrea (or Cenchreae), which means, Millet, small pulse. According to biography facts, Cenchreae is located in the eastern harbour of Corinth, and well known for the establishment of its trade with Asiatic shores of the Mediterranean. In addition, Lechaeum on the Corinthian gulf connected Cenchreae with Italy and the west.

So it is possible that Paul was in Cenchreae at the time of his commendation, and thus, he recommended Phoebe from Cenchreae to the church in Rome, exhorting them to welcome her, join in her good works and assist her in any way she needed them, because she constantly spent her energy and resources in helping others; more so, Paul benefitted immensely from her cloud of benignity and almsgiving. Indeed, Paul knew how to inspire others with gracious words that necessitate great confidence, as well as how to sustain godly relationships, plus rewarding associations, by bringing out the best in the saints. In fact, he was quite good-natured about this important attribute.

The benefits of bearing a good witness and giving favourable commendation about others cannot be quantified. Apostle Paul exuded such a unique astute, which in turn, yielded positive impacts and tremendous results in the very lives of the saints he raised, motivating them to do more for the Kingdom of God. In a profuse manner, Paul poured out his best of greetings and commendations to many, and celebrated their faith walk, including the non-Jews churches, thereby expressing his thanks and regards to those who belong to households of faith.

Let us learn from this man, namely Paul, bearing in mind that the stimulus pattern he stir up within the atmosphere of Christian faith, was formidably essential to accomplishing our divine purpose and boosting our generous interest in responsibilities hosted in the house of God. Stay tuned for part 4. Shalom!

Scripture Reading - Proverbs 12:8; Proverbs 15:2; Matthew 26:10; 1 Corinthians 11:2.

Guided Prayer: Heavenly Father, I thank you for your special grace in the area of commending and inspiring others with graceful wordings based on lexical influence, such that the communication of my faith has become highly effectual by the acknowledgement of every good thing which is in the saints in Christ Jesus. Blessed be your holy Name for this reason, in Jesus' Name, Amen!