June 15, 2020
Old Testament Reading: Ezekiel 12-15
New Testament Reading: Romans 16

Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them, because such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites. They deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting with smooth talk and flattering words. The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil. Romans 16:17-19

What a remarkable chapter is Romans 16.  In it Paul greeted at least twenty-eight people by name as well as other unnamed saints.  He also greeted several churches that were meeting in homes.  He closed with greetings from eight Believers who were with him in Corinth when he wrote the letter.  How we wish we had the details of the stories behind each of these names.

It is interesting to note that 10 of the saints Paul names are women.  Most of whom receive the same praise from Paul as do the men. Some were salves or former slaves, yet Paul treats them as royalty in Christ.  Paul truly lived what he wrote, There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female; since you are all one in Christ Jesus. Galatians 3:28

Paul was a friend maker as well as a soul-winner.  He did not try to live an isolated life.  He had friends in the Lord, and he appreciated them.  They were a help to him both personally and in his ministry.  Throughout the history of the church, the servants whom God has used the most multiplied themselves in the lives of their friends and associates in the ministry.

However, not everyone was working with Paul for the spread of the Gospel, and he could not resist giving one final warning.  There were some who, for selfish reasons, were dividing the churches by teaching false doctrine.  Instead of preaching the truth, these men spread their own religious misinformation, using deceit and eloquent speech.

Paul gives two instructions regarding them.  Frist, we need to watch out for them and identify them.  Christians need to use Godly discernment.  Not everyone who calls themselves a preacher or Bible teacher proclaims the truth from God’s Word.  When Paul preached to the Bereans it was said of them, The people here were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, since they received the word with eagerness and examined the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so. Acts 17:11  If they were so honored because they searched the scripture to see if what Paul preached was correct, how much more so do we need to do the same in today’s world.

Second, they were to avoid them.  Paul warned Timothy that there are people holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people. 2 Tim 3:5  And Jesus gave a similar warning to the disciples. (Matthew 10: 16-20).

Paul hastened to assure the Romans that he did not consider them naive.  Their obedience to Christ was well known and he was glad for them. But he was concerned that they be wise about what is good, and yet innocent about what is evil v19  Christians today would do well to follow Paul’s advice.  We should be wise to what is good by reading and studying the Bible on our own, and yet innocent about what is evil by not following the ways of the world.