The Place of Welcome

"Greet  all God's people in Christ Jesus. The brothers and sisters who are with me send greetings. All the Lord's people here send you greetings, especially those who belong to Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." Philippians 4:21-23 TNIV

I find it interesting that Paul closes this letter by telling us to always be people who welcome others. He, of course, is writing to believers in the Lord Jesus. But we can stretch it a bit to include all, because truthfully, if we are open to all believers, then we will become open to all people who need a welcome.

In these closing statements of the book, as Paul is "signing off" in this letter, he is emphasizing something exceedingly important. If we, as people, are not welcoming others, if we are only open to those "in our circle" and hold our selves separate from others, then we will never be effective in the Kingdom of God.

Our fellowships must always be a place of welcome, because that is what we as people are. Once we begin to see the vision of what the Lord has in mind in the Kingdom of God, then we begin to become that place of welcome. Just because someone is always a drain, does not mean they should not be welcome. We can learn to love in the Lord's love where all are always welcome. That doesn't mean we allow ourselves to be continually drained by the same needs of others. There are people appointed for others for just such times, but all of us in His love become welcoming to all - regardless of dress, age, or anything else.

Then Paul ends the letter with the greeting of all greeting and the prayer of all prayers: "The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen." What more could be said? The all sufficient grace of our Lord once again spoken into being over us and into our spirit! What a way to close a letter! Nothing more can really be said. So we close this book of joy in the joy of embracing all He is and all He gives in His grace. Thank you Lord Jesus for Philippians.

Tomorrow, Lord willing, we begin to study the book of Colossians. So join me and let's allow the love embrace of our Jesus to continue to extend to us as we open to what is written.