Known By God To Love Others

Romans 16:7

“Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsmen and [once] my fellow prisoners, who are held in high esteem in the estimation of the apostles, and who were [believers] in Christ before me.” Romans 16:7 AMP

Paul, brilliant apostle and author of much New Testament Scripture. This Paul uses some significant space in the last chapter of his letter to the Romans to affirm and send greetings to several people. Two of these people were Andronicus and Junia.

None of us would likely pick Andronicus and Junia as our favorite Bible characters. Yet Paul specifically greeted them by name and told us a great deal about them in one verse. They were fellow Jews and citizens of Rome. They were also prisoners with Paul when he was jailed for his faith, though their imprisonment did not receive the same notoriety as Paul’s.

They were well known by the apostles, who held them in high regard. Not the least important thing we learn is that they were Christ followers before Paul was. They were believers of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Are you coming along ahead of someone who holds great promise as a leader in Christ? Are you perhaps feeling a twinge of envy or a sense of inferiority? Be assured that the Lord knows your name. He will direct you to doors to open for others to walk through, to prayers to pray for others, to thousands of ways to encourage folks doing great things for His glory.

While the world around you may have no idea who you are, the Lord hasn’t lost contact with you! Rest in the fact that He has ordained good works that you should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10) and that your name is written down in the only place that matters God’s Book of Life.

Paul had friends. And Paul had beloveds that his heart reached out to touch at the end of a very important letter. They are mentioned because in some way, their heart captured a piece of his heart.

To be a beloved of Paul, you would have to: 1) Love Jesus more than anything else. 2) Be passionate about the things that matter to Jesus. 3) Be willing to pay a price for your devotion to Jesus.

Thirty years ago, Howard Hendricks asked, “If you were never more ready for heaven the moment you were saved, why are you still here?” What are you going to do with your time on earth? Stay focused on the main things, and He will use you. He loves to use people, and He will use you!!

Father, thank You for the privilege of opening doors for those who come after me and hold great promise in Your kingdom. Teach me to get out of the way. Keep my heart from grasping at recognition and trust that being recognized and esteemed by You is all I need. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Be a blessing. Love ya