23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Philippians 4:21-23.
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Today’s Scripture contains the exhortation to greet. It also provides an example of a greeting which contains grace: “The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.” Verse 23.
Too often, we do not sufficiently appreciate our duty to greet and do not consider the best content of our greeting. As a side note, we also do not sufficiently appreciate the benediction in a worship service either. Unfortunately, too often, both the greeting and the benediction seem to us like unimportant bookends of a worship service.
But, there is hope!
We can consider the best place to greet. In order to do our best to greet “every saint in Christ Jesus”, it seems as if it would be best to get to church early and greet other members and persons in attendance. But, whether we greet before or after the worship service, or both times, we are likely to greet the most saints at church.
But, too often, we scramble to get to church, and we feel successful if we just get there before the organ prelude. If we do greet saints before the worship service, then we would also more likely personally feel less rushed and less stressed. We would be in a more peaceful state of mind, better for worship.
Our greetings before the worship service could also help establish harmony between the saints as our contribution to a better and more appropriate setting for the worship service. Consider how our Lord receives such harmony and how He rewards it!
“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is
For brothers to dwell together in unity!
2 It is like the precious oil upon the head,
Coming down upon the beard,
Even Aaron’s beard,
Coming down upon the edge of his robes.
3 It is like the dew of Hermon
Coming down upon the mountains of Zion;
For there the Lord commanded the blessing— life forever.” Psalm Chapter 133.
What then should we say in greeting? Let us avoid the platitudes which do nothing but seem trite at best and insincere at worst. Rather, let us encourage each other in truth: “… each of us by the other’s faith, both yours and mine.” Romans 1:12. Think of what you specifically admire about the faith and the service of the other saint and tell them.
We can also greet with a reference or a quote of encouraging Scripture. I think of an elderly man at my gym who does this so well. Although he appears to be way beyond 80 and very feeble and shaky, he always comes up to me with a reference to Scripture. Yesterday, the first words out of his mouth as he approached me were “Isaiah 41:10”. What a great greeting!
“Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.” Ephesians 4:29
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.” Colossians 4:6
“So then we pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” Romans 14:19
“Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 