Question of the day:

If a letter of reference was required to vouch for you as a person of faith, who would ask to write it?

Chances are good that it would be someone from church or the community that knows you well that you would ask to define your Christ-like nature. It is most likely someone who has served alongside you, mentored, taught or inspired you. It would also make sense to ask someone who could testify to the ways you shaped and impacted their personal walk with the Holy One. It would be good to ask someone who has witnessed the ways you serve like Christ to speak on your behalf.

The passage of scripture we will sit with on Sunday is Romans chapter 16. This text is a reference letter from the Apostle Paul to the church in Rome. Paul is introducing these individuals as equals in the faith who should hold the respect and affirmation of leadership they were sent with. He requests the kind of hospitality from the church that welcomes and embraces as if they were welcoming Paul himself. Paul is credentialing them and acknowledging their gifts and calling and extending permission for the church to do the same.

Ten of the 29 persons mentioned by Paul that the Church should greet as holding authority in Paul’s absence are women. He trusts them with his life, and he knows them to have worked very hard. Phoebe specifically, most likely delivers this letter in oral form and she embodies the same Christ granted authority that Paul or any of the other male apostles carries.

Unlikely heroes are the ones that build, form, shape, inspire and keep the church vital in the world. Acknowledging the authority God has bestowed upon each within the body of Christ is life giving. Paul validates the credibility with which each of us is gifted by God. It is important to recognize the faithful and dedicated served by others in the faith community as well.

If you were to write a reference letter for a follower of Jesus who has influenced your life, who would it be and what would you say? Thank God for this person today and be sure to let them know how you cherish them. I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday in person or on YouTube!

Brett