Title

The Art of the Greeting

Scripture
“When he had greeted them, he told in detail those things God had done . . . through his ministry.”
(Acts 21:19)
Devotional
Greeting is an art, and it is an art that seems to have been lost. It is interesting to note that each epistle in the Bible begins with a greeting. Also, the first thing the apostle Paul did was to greet the elders. He also instructs us in his letter to, “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”(1) Needless to say, the art of greeting needs to be restored, especially among God’s people.
There are several different kinds of greetings that are appropriate to use based upon the different relationships we have with people. There are formal greetings: a firm handshake with a friendly word and eye contact. There are family greetings: the younger rising to greet the older with a hug, eye contact, kind words, and yes, even a holy kiss. There are believer greetings: the younger rising to greet the older with a word of blessing, eye contact, and a holy kiss, depending on the depth of the relationship.
Consider your greetings. Are they purposeful? Give it serious thought. Practice the art of the greeting.

(1) Romans 16:16; 1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12; 1 Thessalonians 5:26