“Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the other brothers and sisters with them.” – Romans 16:14
“I thought we were friends?”, “I thought they loved me?”, “I thought I was her best friend?” etc. These are the questions we brood in our hearts, when we feel disappointed, unloved or rejected, by those upon whom we expect a certain affection due to our friendship or relationship with them. There is a desire in every human heart to be loved and accepted by those we respect, value and relate with. We want to believe that our friends regard us as their friends, that our cherished spouses also cherish us, that our beloved family members also highly regard us. In every relationship model, be it marriage, friends, work, family, groups and clubs, we expect and/or assume that certain people who are part of our lives have our names top in their friendship/relationship list.
No matter what state in life we find ourselves, there is a list we must all strive to be part of. There is a critical list we cannot afford to be left out of. The Heavenly List. We have previously discussed and seen that God keeps a list of his children, His friends and those who love and obey Him. All over the Bible we see several references of this heavenly list constantly and continuously complied by God.
One of the obvious ones is the Hebrews Hall of Faith. We see men like Abraham, Moses, David, etc. men that many of us strive to emulate. Of interest, however, are names like Rahab the harlot and Samson the Judge. Their lifestyles had many disapproving sagas but that was not the end. They turned around, and demonstrated a great show of faith in God. They fought on the Lord’s side and God acknowledged them. As a reward, God included them in His heavenly list! What an honour!
Samson and Rahab would have been written off by men but God is not a man that he should lie or repent, He is not subject to the frailties of life that befall men. He is the Lord who searches the hearts, the intents and the bone marrows of men, He saw through their hearts, and saw lives worthy of that heavenly list. Your life may be like Samson’s or Rahab’s now. Can I tell you that it is not over yet; arise, wipe your tears and turn to your loving God. Though your sins be as scarlet, murky and dirty; only Jesus can make your life clean and white as snow. (Isaiah 1:18). Come to Jesus if you are tired, weary and hungry for something better, commit your life to love and follow Him every day; and allow Him to change your story into a testimony of grace.
Another list that caught my attention is the list God compiled through the letters of Apostle Paul. We find names like Epaphroditus, Nymphas, Linus, Rufus, Andronicus and many brethren who laboured with Paul. (See Romans 16, 1 Corinthians 16, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 2 Timothy 4) In Colossians 4:7, Paul writes, “all my state shall Tychicus declare unto you, who is a beloved brother, and a faithful minister and fellowservant in the Lord.” Who is Tychicus? What do we know about him or his family? These men and women would not have come to light if Paul had not mentioned them.
Then there are those thousands unnamed, who “through faith subdued kingdoms, escaped the edge of the sword, waxed valiant in fight, received their dead raised to life again, received cruel mockings, scourgings, stoned, some died by stoning, some were sawed in half or were killed with the sword, others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection. The world was not ever worthy of them. (Hebrews 11:33-40)
All these men and women, who we know next to nothing about, were known, applauded and approved of God. Their quiet resounding testimonies subdued kingdoms; hidden to men but a constant memorial before God. Truly, the world did not deserve them. Their unrelenting commitment to God, even in the face of death, evokes deep admiration and a constant challenge to us believers today.
God is still compiling His list today. He is searching for those who will serve Him faithfully, in their remote corner of the world; men whom the world may never know, whereas in heaven, they constantly receive adulation for their bravery. Men, who are on the wanted list of the enemy while they top the chart in that heavenly list.
Dear friend, the choice is yours. Will you be part of God’s Heavenly List? If the answer is yes, make a prayer of commitment today to God and to His Son Jesus Christ. Yesterday with its mistakes is gone. Today is a new day. Make a lifetime commitment to be part of God’s Heavenly List, no matter what it takes.
Shalom
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