Story for the ages.

Greet Mary, who has worked hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my kinsmen and my fellow prisoners. They are well known to the apostles, and they were in Christ before me. Greet Ampliatus, my beloved in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my beloved Stachys. Greet Apelles, who is approved in Christ. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet my kinsman Herodion. Greet those in the Lord who belong to the family of Narcissus. Greet those workers in the Lord, Tryphaena and Tryphosa. Greet the beloved Persis, who has worked hard in the Lord. Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord; also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Romans 16:6-14

You know these passages in the scriptures we just pass over — because they seem to really have no meaning for us personally? Why exactly are they in there? Why are they important? Why are they included in the ‘word of God’ as scripture? What possibly can we learn from them?

Now as a ‘fiction novelist’ I read these passages with GREAT interest! These were REAL people who had REAL lives and REAL relationships with the apostles and the first century ekkesia! These were those doing the REAL work of the Lord with no thought of ever being known. But here they are in scripture! Oh how that fires my soul!

We too have a place in the record of our Lord Jesus! What will it say about us? What is Jesus proud about us? What will He point to as our remarkable works for Him? These ‘epistles’ written almost 2,000 years ago were real accounts of real people. Archeology has proven again and again that the Biblical scriptures are the most accurate historical record we have. These people listed above went through the same emotions and feelings and trials all humans go through, plus these had to be very reliant on the Holy Spirit for direction and instruction as most of the New Testament hadn’t been written at that time. If a person of The Way (what the ekklesia was called at that time) was in a group / house meeting — they would have been blessed to maybe have a copy of one of Paul’s letters. As the century wore on — even possessing one of Paul’s letters was a death sentence by the Roman authorities, so the risk was great. So these believers in Jesus (the Messiah) in the first century were acutely aware of the need for the Holy Spirit to be directing their lives. How aware are we of the need to be directed by the Holy Spirit? Are we living in the ‘end days / times’? Will the record show us being faithful to His instructions? Will the record show our love for the ekklesia and the ‘ministry to Jesus’? Do you cherish the scriptures in your possession? Do those scriptures come ‘alive’ with the Holy Spirit teaching you through them? Are you excited to be part of the ‘story’ Jesus is ‘writing’? 

Press into the Author of your day. Is He your Author of your life and days? Or are you just going through it by your own decisions and choices? Would the record of your life inspire others about the faith and obedience you have for Jesus? Will others know of how you followed the direction of the Holy Spirit?

Just so you know … your life is a ‘story’ for the ages. What will it tell others? What will Jesus say about you?