More Than a Greeting

By Veronica Joyce

July 23, 2024

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus, by the will of God, and Timothy, our brother,

to the Saints and faithful Brothers in Christ at Colossae:

Grace to you and peace from God, our father.

Colossian 1:1-2

Have you ever just stopped to read the greetings in Paul’s letters? He has a wonderful way of making them so very personal, even when speaking to an entire group of people. One of my favorite greetings comes from the book of Colossians. He addresses his readers as Saints and faithful brothers in Christ. Whatever happened to greetings like this? What would it do to the heart of the person you are speaking to if you addressed them as a saint and beloved brother or sister? Imagine running into a dear friend at a department store or in the parking lot or at the beginning of their day. Maybe you’re dropping off your children and preparing for work and feeling very hectic. She calls out your name and maybe you grown a little because you just don’t have time for this. But she greet you with such excitement! She has a warm smile and soft eyes and she says with love and truth: “What a joy to run into a true saint and faithful sister in Christ!” Then she gives you a warm embrace, grabs a few of your things and helps you into your car. Now tell me that wouldn’t just melt your heart and change the entire trajectory of your day.

I mean, compare that with what you often get now: “Oh hey. Busy morning, huh?” or “Whew, it’s hot this morning, huh?”  How about the ever-popular question “How are you?” coupled with that semi anxious look that says “Oh please don’t tell me.” And if you’re really lucky, maybe you’ll get a halfhearted side hug that just screams, "I really don’t have time for this". 

Paul's greetings are jammed, packed with love and encouragement. As if he wants, from the moment he opens his mouth, for the reader to know just how precious and loved they are to him and just who they are in Christ.  Paul’s greeting says "I see you for who you are in Christ even if you don’t.  It says you are more than just an unknown group of people to me. You are my family. My love for you runs as deep as it would for family.

How would things change in your small group or your Bible study or in your church as a whole if we forgot ourselves for a minute and turned our full attention to the person standing in front of us and reminded ourselves who this person is in Christ? How would it change your heart to remember that this isn’t just anybody standing in front of you. That seemingly insignificant mother of three or quiet, soft-spoken husband and construction worker or that young single college student is the purposefully chosen son or daughter of God. This person is dearly loved and delighted in by the Ancient of Days. This person standing in front of you will one day reign alongside our Lord with you. Not even a celebrity has that kind of status and yet we would often show the more love!

Let me be clear, not everyone deserves a greeting like this. It’s not for everyone. Though we should be kind and warm and welcoming to everyone. It is the Saints and our spiritual family that we reserve this type of language for. As we look at Paul’s letters, we know they are written to the churches - those in the house of God. It is to them he reserves his highest affections under God. These people are special to him, even the ones he doesn’t know. He treats them all as if he has known them his whole life. I've often wondered why Paul’s letters carried so much weight. What makes someone listen to a guy they’ve never met before? I can't help but assume it is his great love for them expressed in every letter. I can imagine that after listening to his letters and hearing how he loves them, they were eager to meet him and express their love in return. Words are powerful things, and when those words are heartfelt, they carry that much more power. When you love someone deeply in word, and in deed, you earn a space in their heart to share the difficult things. As Paul prepares to tell them or teach them difficult things in his letter to the Colossians, their hearts are open and ready to embrace him and his truth because they've come to trust him, and even more than that they have come to trust his heart for them. 

What about the people in your life? What have your words and deeds cause them to think about you? Have you earned the right to speak into the lives of those God has given you? Do the people you come in contact with at church, in small group, or at bible study feel like you truly care for them - like family? It’s OK if your track record hasn’t been great in this area. I could be a little more consistent myself. But if you are a follower of Christ then you and I have a few things the world doesn’t have and they are powerful. First, we have confession. Admitting when we are wrong is a powerful motivator to do what is right. James 5:16 says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” This passage is talking about physical sickness but I believe the principle stands. But in case you’re feeling a little iffy about it there is always 1 John 1-9. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (That one is a personal fav of mine.)  Second, we have repentance. We get to turn from what is wrong and turn to what is right. We are never stuck doing the same things. By God’s grace we are able to make lasting change if we do it for the glory of God. Lastly, (only for dramatic effect certainly not because He is last) we have the Holy Spirit. He is faithful and infallible and He is the one doing all the work of change in us. We cannot do it without Him but thank God our Father, He is happy and eager to do the work. 

People are our ministry. They are why we exist aside from worshipping our God. The saints are our eternal family. They will be with us even when our blood relatives reject us (Luke 12:53) These are the people we will spend eternity with. We are called to show a special kind of love and patience to them. God knows this is not something that comes naturally to us. But have faith, our Helper the Holy Spirit will do the heavy lifting. You and I just have to say yes and Amen!