PHILONEXIA

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  (Romans 12:9-18 NIV)

There's a two-word verse tucked in the middle of Romans 12 behind which is hidden one of my favorite Greek terms. The verse says, "Practice hospitality." The Greek word is philonexia. Here's my working definition: "to pursue the stranger with the love of a family and make them feel at home." It's not really about people you know, but people you don't yet know. And it's not about being an extroverted person who never meets a stranger.

Hospitality is a deeply personal posture of openness toward all people. Our natural tendency is to fear strangers and keep to our own. To follow Jesus is to become open and curious (and, of course, wise and discerning) when it comes to strangers. You may remember this charge in the letter to the Hebrews: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (13:2).

The one who shows hospitality is often in for the bigger blessing. Then there's the famous [post-resurrection] Emmaus Road story where the two disciples invite the stranger into their home after the long walk and He turns out to be Jesus Himself! Wow! He did say in His parable of the sheep and the goats, depicting the final judgment, "I was a stranger and You welcomed Me" (Matthew. 25:35). It's why St. Benedict put this instruction in his rule of life: "Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ."

Philonexia! It's one of the hallmark qualities of Holy Spirit–filled people. May it become a new watchword in our hearts, homes, and churches.  

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with J. D. Walt

#6101

STRANGERS, NEWCOMERS AND FOREIGNERS

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.  The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”  (Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV)

How do you feel when you encounter foreigners, especially those who don’t speak your language? Are you impatient? Do you think or act as if they should go back to where they came from? Are you tempted to take advantage of them? God says to treat foreigners as you would treat fellow countrymen, to love them as you love yourself. In reality, we are all foreigners in this world because it is only our temporary home. View strangers, newcomers and foreigners as opportunities to demonstrate God’s love.

-- from The Life Application Study Bible

#4030

NO LONGER STRANGERS

Our prayers will result in joy, for they will be accepted.  God will gather us in and not shut us out.  We will be known fully and nevertheless loved completely… Life will flow.  What we do will have meaning.  And so there will be a feeling of total inclusion.  No longer will we feel like strangers but like those who have come to the spiritual home for which we have always longed.

-- Gerrit Scott Dawson


#3351