A small act of kindness can often create the greatest ripple in life. Mark Twain once wrote, “Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” Perhaps what makes kindness so special and unique is that typically it manifests itself in the smallest gestures. A simple pat on the back, a reassuring smile, a word of understanding, or even a confident look of encouragement are all detailed actions that can only be witnessed by the person receiving them. Yet, incredibly, these tiny actions are the ones that make the most impact in that person’s life. Indeed, it is curious to realize that many of the most significant things in this life are usually also the most small. So small, in fact, that if one does not pay close attention they can easily be overlooked. Lamentably, this is especially true with certain passages from Holy Scriptures. Passages that are often left unmentioned because they have an appearance of practical knowledge that anyone should be able to comprehend. This form of mentality and approach is an echo of the first century Athenians who “spent their time in nothing else but either to tell or to hear some new thing” (Acts 17:21). In a previous treatise, we were able to learn how this Athenian hubris became a snare unto their salvation. This high opinion they held of themselves as wise men and women sadly led them to reject the Gospel of Christ because they could not accept the reality of Jesus’ resurrection as logical (Acts 17:32, 1st Corinthians 1:18-23). For this reason, we must strive not to imitate these wicked and foolish men, and avoid denying ourselves the rich blessings that can be obtained from these so-called “simple” passages. Once again, the smallest actions can several times create the greatest impact. Arguably, no one in the New Testament had felt the long lasting impact of a small, kind gesture more than the apostle Paul (Acts 9:26-28). Barnabas’ bold and loving decision to defend a known persecutor’s change to be genuine, and to plea with his brethren to allow this man a fair chance to prove his transformation, was undeniably never forgotten by Saul of Tarsus. Therefore, it is not surprising to read in Holy Scripture the benefactor of Barnabas’ kindness now championing kindness himself. Remember the warning against underestimating those inspired passages as “very easy” to understand? This is commonly the mistake we make when we read through the salutations of Paul at the end of his epistles. It is a usual tendency to conclude that at the end of his inspired letters, Paul is simply bidding farewell to his readers. The names the apostle directs his salutations to are seen as unimportant and regarded as nothing more than a list of names. Those who are guilty of breezing through these parts of Scripture are ignoring that these salutations are also inspired by the Holy Ghost. Therefore, to deem them as “unimportant” is to disrespect the Holy Spirit and reject valuable spiritual knowledge. One outstanding lesson we can learn from these apostolic greetings is the mighty bond shared by members of the church of Christ during the first century. His simple action of listing several names of brothers and sisters of whom he was aware were at the congregation where he sent his epistle, displays the great unity shared between sister congregations. It exhibits the great amount of time Paul invested in getting to know the congregation and not simply know of the congregation. However, it is wise to understand that Paul not only knew those members by name, but he was also aware of what they had done. One of the most amazing examples of this truth is revealed in his farewell in the epistle to the Romans (Romans 12:3-16). In this pericope, the apostle greets approximately 28 members of the church by name and after each name he mentions a brief description of their actions. This inclusion grants the avid reader a glimpse of what it was like to be a Christian during the first century. It enlightens the powerful bond forged by the precious blood of the Lamb. We are taught by these salutations of the genuine love and care they had for one another, especially in times of misery brought upon by Rome’s persecution. Passages such as these mirror the Preacher’s wise conclusion “though one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken” (Ecclesiastes 4:12, emphasis mine). Another precious lesson that must not be ignored is the apostle’s great care in nurturing these friendships. Remember that previously it had been stated that Paul had not forgotten Barnabas’ kindness toward him. The same is true for everyone he encountered on his journeys from country to country visiting the churches residing there. We are able to see how Paul became a common link between the churches. In his letter to the saints in Colosse, the apostle commands, “Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea” (Colossians 4:16). Although it is true that each congregation was autonomous, it is also true that they were both required to submit to the same apostolic authority that Christ (the head of the church, Colossians 1:18) had established. For this reason Paul instructs the Colossians and Laodiceans to communicate with one another. It is unwise to believe that the church in Laodicea was not given the same instruction concerning the inspired epistle sent to them. Unquestionably, Paul practiced what he preached because he kept sister congregations informed about one another in a genuine effort of “endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:3, emphasis mine). It is no secret that Paul had an ardent love and care for the welfare of the churches. Not only is this magnified by his various missionary trips, but it is strongly validated in the information he always provides in his final greetings. Paul exemplified the beauty of what it is to be a Christian. There is a high probability that the brethren mentioned by him whom also sent their greetings at the end of his letters were not physically known by the brethren reading the letter. Yet, the fact that they still sent their greetings to them despite being strangers is what makes it so special. It illuminates their clear understanding of what it means to be bonded by the blood of Christ. Truly, a small act of kindness can create an everlasting impact; even if it is as small as a greeting.
