The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

1 Corinthians 16:19-24, “The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house.
20 All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss.
21 The greeting is in my own hand– Paul.
22 If anyone does not love the Lord, he is to be accursed. Maranatha.
23 The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you.
24 My love be with you all in Christ Jesus. Amen.”

I have a long-time friend, who has spent years on the mission field in a foreign country. She treats those to whom she ministers as if they were her own ethnicity. Her attitude toward them helps me to understand Paul’s relationship with the believers in Corinth.

Writing from Asia, Paul extends greetings from the churches there. He does not specifically identify those churches, but it is entirely possible that his reference is to those seven Asian churches identified in Revelation 1:4ff.

I have often witnessed believers from far away churches hug and kiss those whom they had not seen for a long time. Such expressions of greeting, however, were always reserved for those of the same sex. Paul’s reference, “Greet one another with a holy kiss,” is thoroughly spiritual in nature. The word “holy” designates the nature of the kiss.

Inasmuch as Paul calls attention to “anyone who does not love the LORD,” it well may be that there is someone within the Corinthian church, who is a non-believer. Any and all unbelievers will do well to heed Paul’s warning. Many churches –perhaps most—have members who are not true believers.

Some people go to church for “business” contacts. It’s serious business, going to church for reasons other than to worship the LORD! Paul speaks of those people as “being accursed.”

A pastor I once knew always introduced to the congregation those were seeking membership in the church. He paused on that Sunday morning to ask of what commercial business the man was affiliated. The man said, “…the package business.” Further investigation revealed that the true nature of the business was “package liquor.” His request for membership was understandably denied.

Let me ask you: are you a church member? More importantly, are you a born-again believer in Jesus Christ? Spiritually, it is impossible to be a true member of the church if you have not first trusted Jesus as your LORD and Savior. Even if you “slipped in” without the leadership’s notice, you have not escaped the notice of Jesus. Church membership is important, but knowing Christ is more important still. If you’re not sure, talk with the pastor or someone who can lead you to faith in Christ Jesus. Knowing Him is far and away more valuable than merely joining a church –any church.

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom