Working hard, tested, and approved

Here in this passage, we see Paul sending greetings to different people in Rome.

These were people who Paul really appreciated. Some supported him financially, others worked side by side with him in ministry, others had spent time in prison with him for the sake of the gospel.

But two things really strike me here.

Twice he refers to women (Mary and Persis) who worked hard in the Lord. And he talks about a man named Apelles, who was tested and approved in Christ.

I was just thinking how I’d like to have people say those things about me.

That I worked hard in the Lord.

That I was doing all the things that God asked of me.

And that through whatever circumstances and trials I might go through, that I have been found approved in Christ.

More than that, though, it’s my deepest desire that when I go to heaven, God would say to me, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

For while the praise of man is wonderful, it is the praise of God that really counts.

How about you? What would God and others say about you?