II Corinthians 13:12 “Greet one another with a holy kiss.”

GOOD KISS VS BAD KISS

Our world has so polluted affection that even reading this verse gives us pause. What would happen if next Sunday someone greeted you at the church door with a kiss? You would be repelled. You would be shocked. You would be horrified.

But Paul says this is how we should greet our brothers and sisters in Christ. It does say “holy” which means it can be nothing but sanctified and special. There is nothing wrong with a holy kiss. It is done to express our true expression of love and closeness. Unfortunately, we have made a kiss something unholy.

TEACHING MOMENT

Don’t you love your children’s kisses? I remember when our children were just babies and toddlers. They loved to shower (literally sometimes with their baby drool) us with kisses. They would slobber all over our cheeks. As parents we loved that. But now, in the age we are living, we warn our children to not show much affection for others for fear of being misinterpreted. I guarantee you Jesus would be greeting us with a kiss.

So how do you follow this instruction from Paul and not offend someone? The same way we do anything else as a believer. We walk in oneness with each other and never do anything to offend. You know who would receive this as it is intended and who would not. The Holy Spirit guides you. Your children have to learn to let the Holy Spirit guide them in this and every other aspect of their walk.

Now, let me be clear. I am NOT telling you to kiss everyone you meet next week at church. I am telling you, however, to love them and honor them. And, by all means, greet them with the love of Jesus.