Now I urge you,
brethren, note those
who causes divisions
and offenses,
contrary to the
doctrine which you've learned,
and avoid them. For those who are such
do not serve our Lord
Jesus Christ,
but their own belly,
and by smooth words
and flattering speech
deceive the hearts
love the simple.
Romans 16: 17 -- 18
Paul is now
coming to the close of his letter to the Romans and after speaking about many
doctrinal things, such as, homosexuality, sexual immorality, wickedness,
covetousness, maliciousness, full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil –
mindedness: whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, imposters,
inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; who knowing the righteous judgments of God,
that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the
same but also approve of those who practice them (Romans 1:29 -- 32). Paul speaks to us about not being self --
seeking. We are too abounding Grace and
not be judging people in regard to such things as what they eat, or what days
they may hold more value to than others.
We are not to be carnally minded for that is against the righteousness
of God. He also commends the Romans for
their love of God and for the things that they do well therefore is not all
about ad things it's also about those things which people are doing that are
respectful toward God and others. He
reminds us of how to deal with government and our responsibility towards the
justice of God that we then spend towards our fellow citizens. And as he comes to the close of this book he
reminds us and urges us to avoid those that would cause divisions that are
contrary to the doctrine of God. How
often do we turn on the television and see televangelist shafting and doing
things that are seemingly good and even titillating at times with many people's
succumbing to the drooping that these men froth from their mouths. We find in many churches today a lack of
respect, pastors and leaders dressing down as though they are going to some
beach party, or out to do some fishing or hunting nor anything other than
showing respect toward God and towards the congregation drove home he is
preaching. And they give excuses and
reasons why it is so necessary to meet the culture in this matter rather than
helping the culture to rise up love that which is degrading to God. They speak in words that sound so good but
all it is is nothing more than a gospel that is watered down to make it sound
acceptable and the problem then is that many people do not follow what Paul is
writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit and that is to avoid
them. This is what is going on in the
Roman Church and the culture of the Romans that was invading into the
church. Today's culture which is opposed to God and His doctrine that has found its way into the church in many cases
and we are duped into following this culture rather than being those who are
teaching what the culture is in regard to God.
These who are doing this form of teaching are not doing the will of God
or serving our Lord Jesus Christ but are fattening their own wallets, their own
feelings of power they seem to be wise and that which is good but they are not;
they are simply serving that which is evil.
But Paul now recommends and commends the Roman Christians who are facing
those things as we are today and the principle that he gives to them applies to
us: "For your own obedience has become
known to all. Therefore I am glad on
your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning
evil. And the God of peace will crush
Satan under your feet shortly. The
grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Amen" (Romans 16:19 -- 20).
Are you being wise and what is good and simple concerning evil? This takes courage! To face the evil of this world, and the
culture that is in such opposition to God and His doctrine that we are faced
with, many trials and temptations, and it requires of us courage that only can
come to the aid by the Holy Spirit.
Paul then speaks of those who are working hard for the church and for
the Christian people has this to say:
"Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my
countrymen, greet you. I, Tertius, who
wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, my host and the host of the
whole Church, greet you .Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greet you, and Quartus,
a brother. The grace of our Lord Jesus
Christ be with you all. Amen. Now to Him who is able to establish you
according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the
revelation of the Ministry kept secret since the world began but now made
manifest, and by the prosthetic scriptures made known to all nations, according
to the commandment of the everlasting God, for OBE as to the face -- -- 2 God,
a lonely wise, the glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen" (Romans 16:21 -- 27).
Paul then tells us something so
important that God will establish his people so that they can live the life of
a Christian within his doctrine and be the witness that he has given to us a
responsibility to all with whom we come in contact. This study in the book of Romans should not in at this point,
rather, we need to go back and read this book once again and meditate upon that
what Paul is giving to us to help us as we walked in this world as Christian
and not allowing this culture, or any others who are not wise but are evil in
the teachings to live who we are, a child of God. Praise God for he has not left us destitute for he has giving us
his work, first written to the Romans, and now what was written is to be
applied in our lives. May God continue
to give you the grace and peace, and courage to live for him, and to live this
life.
I will greatly
rejoice in love LORD,
my soul shall be joyful in my God;
for He has clothed
me with the garments
of salvation, He has covered with the
robe of
righteousness, as a bridegroom decks
himself with ornaments, and as a
bride
adorns herself with
her jewels.
Isaiah 61: 10
Love God; live life
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