Prisca (later changed to Priscilla) and Aquilla were my kind of people. They had a ferocious love for Jesus and His people. We know from 1 Corinthians 16:19 that they hosted a New Testament church in their home. Their willingness to serve made a difference, because Paul gives them several shout-outs in the New Testament, always sending his greetings to Prisca and Aquilla accompanied by high praise for their kingdom work:
"Greet Prisca and Aquilla, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus, who risked their necks for my life, to whom not only I give thanks but all the churches of the Gentiles give thanks as well" (Rom. 16:3–4, emphasis added).
In Romans 16:3–4 we see that these were people who were willing to take risks for God's glory. Paul says, "they risked their necks for my life." In this case, Prisca and Aquilla may have literally risked their lives for Paul, but they were "sticking their necks out" in other ways. They were risking their comfort by hosting a church in their home. They were putting their reputations on the line. And let's face it, investing in others is always risky. Just because you stick your neck out for someone does not mean they will return the favor.
It is impossible to live the Christian life without risk.
But these two took big risks for the kingdom, and I doubt they did it for Paul's praise. Paul was clear. These were his family members in Christ, fellow laborers in the task of making and training disciples. They were motivated by their love for Jesus and the calling He had placed on their lives.
As Christian women, we get to join the ranks of followers like Prisca and Aquilla. We are also fellow workers in Christ Jesus as we seek to do the kingdom work God has called each of us to. And I have a hunch that as thousands of us gather to seek the Lord together at True Woman '14, He will call each of us to follow the lead of individuals like Prisca and Aquilla by sticking our necks out for Him. That might look like:
- Finally forgiving that person who hurt you so deeply.
- Agreeing to be the wife God calls you to be, even if your husband never changes.
- Standing up for biblical womanhood in a culture that is hostile toward God's design for gender.
- Hosting a True Woman event in your local church after True Woman '14.
- Confessing an area of sin that has kept you sidelined from loving and serving God's people.
It is impossible to live the Christian life without risk. It is impossible to be a true woman of God without personal liability. But since Jesus stuck His neck way out for us, we are free to take risks for His name's sake.
Ask the Lord to make you more like Prisca and Aquilla by praying this bold prayer: Lord, show me how I can stick my neck out for you and your people. Amen.
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