Greet one another in love.

Romans 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ greet you. Greeting one another with a kiss was certainly in the eastern tradition in Paul’s day. It still is common today in the middle east. Here in the U.S. or western world, if we see someone greet someone else with a kiss, we typically assume they must be family—they must be related to one another in some special way. That’s exactly what greeting with a holy kiss communicated. It was the way they said, “I love you. You’re one of my family members. You’re my brother or sister in the Lord.” Our encouragement today from this verse is this. How might we communicate to someone we love in Christ that we view them as special members of our family? Also, if we do it with one, we should do it with all. Otherwise special treatment, especially between men and women, can be misconstrued or interpreted wrongly. Have you ever given this familial greeting in the Lord much thought? I hope you’ll do so today. Let’s see what the Holy Spirit does in us as we seek to greet one another in love.