MUSINGS

SELF-DEVOTION Whilst the Lord is over the various services and gives to each his work, there is also the side of devoting ourselves. The household of Stephanus in Corinth had “devoted themselves to the saints for service”, 1 Corinthians 16: 15. It is fine to think of that faithful brother and his wife, and the family (Paul says he had baptised them). Clearly they were all agreed—‘We are going to devote ourselves to serve our dear local brethren’. Corinth would not have been an easy place in which to serve, but that made no difference to their resolve. The very word “saints” suggests the respect with which they regarded the brethren.

The footnote says the literal meaning is that the household had ‘appointed themselves’, given themselves up, to serve. That would be in the spirit of the One who washed the feet of His disciples.

What an asset that service would have been in Corinth! It must have helped to bring about the healing and adjustment for which Paul laboured. The point is, Is your household, is mine, like that? Let us be concerned that it may be so. A good many new households are being set up.

Thank God for each one that is devoted to the saints! May young couples make this their resolve from the outset, their prime objective, to serve and comfort the Lord’s people. As that is so they will themselves be blessed and happy, and a source of blessing to others.

FCM