We Are to Greet One Another with Sincere Hospitality

“Have a nice day.” “Have a good time at Thrill-a-Minute Amusement Park.” “Thank you for flying Treetop Airlines.” Our world is filled with superficial pleasantries. Greetings zip past us like flies at a picnic, but we often don’t even hear them. Sometimes they don’t mean anything to us. Christians must be careful not to fall into the trap of plying each other with meaningless words and empty greetings. We are to greet one another in a way that is sincere and shows true concern. Certainly we can wish each other a pleasant day as we pass in the halls on Sunday morning and mean it, but there must be times when we say to each other: “How are you…really?” — and then wait for an answer.

Because the Lord honors us with His eternal greeting, we praise Him: “They will tell of the power of your awesome works, and I will proclaim your great deeds. They will celebrate your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made” (Psalm 145:6-9).

Pause for personal prayer and thanksgiving. Pray this confession to the Lord as you seek to keep your life free from sin and in His perfect will: “For the sake of your name, O Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great” (Psalm 25:11).

Confess any sins that the Holy Spirit brings to your mind. Now pray for affirmation to the Lord: “The Lord is my light and my salvation — whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1).

While making your requests known to the Lord today, include:

• Greater love for your family,
• Deeper knowledge of God’s grace,
• The work of missions in Central America.

Finally, offer this closing prayer to the Lord: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Timothy 1:17).

“Greet Priscilla and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus. They risked their lives for me. Not only I but all the churches of the Gentiles are grateful to them. Greet also the church that meets at their house. Greet my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in the province of Asia. Greet Mary, who worked very hard for you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send greetings” (Romans 16:3-6, 16).