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The Credit

Briefing: Have you ever stayed to watch the credits roll at the end of a movie? The people on the credits list are usually very important to the movie and this is their time for recognition.

Dispatch (Assignment): Read Romans 16:1-16.

On the Street: In Paul’s closing, he gives us an example of how to treat other Christians who are involved in the work. When reading Romans you can get the sense that Paul is sitting in a small room with a candle and a pen. Paul has a lot of people who help him, including a person who actually writes Paul’s messages. Some scholars think Paul’s eyes were so bad that he could not write his own letters.

Paul gives us a list of people and the sacrifices they have made for the gospel of Jesus Christ. If your name was on this list, what kind of information would follow? Let’s take Paul’s list and break it down to see why these people were worthy of being listed:

-She has been a great help to many people
-They risked their lives for me
-The church for meeting together
-The first convert in Asia
-Who worked very hard for you
-Who have been in prison
-Whom I love
-Dear friends
-Those tested and approved in Christ
-Those who are in the Lord
-Several who work hard in the Lord
-One who was chosen in the Lord
-A woman who was like a mother to Paul

In the end, Paul thanked 27 individuals by name, 1 house church, 2 households of people and other brothers and saints as well. I would say Paul had a lot of help.

Paul has been very deliberate in the topics he has addressed. This section is no different. He takes time to give credit to the people who have helped him in this mission trip to the province of Asia. I believe he is also showing us that one person does not do it alone. We need help and as much help as we can get. Paul also takes the added step to show some of the sacrifices made for the mission trip and the church. The material for this devotional is very short but the two questions should take some time to answer:

What sacrifices have we made to further the kingdom?

Who is helping you in your ministry work?

Investigational Resources: 1 Corinthians 16:19-24. 2 Corinthians 13:11-14, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-28 and 1 Peter 5:12-14.

Officer Safety Principle: God never intended for us to do the work all alone. He created us for fellowship and He wants to share His work with us. He also wants us to share our work with each other.

from The Book of Romans Through the Eyes of a Cop
©by Charles Gilliland. Used by permission.
Click here to check out the entire Through the Eyes of a Cop series!