Scripture: Romans 16:17-23 (ESV) "I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen. I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord. Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you."
Devotion:
Bob Dylan once sang, "You've got to serve somebody." In the bustling streets of Rome, Paul's words in his letter had a similar message. Just as Bob Dylan explained that we all have to make a choice between serving either the higher call or the lower, Paul warns the Roman believers about the hidden danger within their own ranks—those who pretend to serve Christ, but actually serve themselves.
The early church was a church where unity and theological purity were constantly under threat. This makes a lot of sense when you think about it - the church was new, the Gospel and its implications were new to people, the mixing of various people groups into a united church was new. In some ways it is no surprise that there would be people who saw the opportunity within the church to bend it to their own gain, rather than for the cause of the Gospel. But that is just as relevant today. Paul’s plea for vigilance is just as necessary today. Just like the Roman church, we have a tendency to be led astray by enticing promises, that sound good, but end up being spiritually empty.
Paul knows the Roman church is obedient and faithful, and he rejoices over them. But blind obedience isn’t everything. The church needs to be discerning who and what they obey. They need to embrace what is good and reject what is evil. They need to actively pursue wisdom, they need to embody purity, they need to avoid bad influences, and they need to realise that they are in a spiritual battle.
Which begs the question: Is the church today as discerning as the church is called to be here? Do we know how to evaluate whether our church preachers are teaching the Gospel?
Would you recognise false teaching if you heard it?
If the answer is no, you need to hit the books - or more specifically, you need to hit the book - the Bible. Your teacher should always be able to defend how he came to the conclusions he did based on the text.
If he can’t you need to find a new church…
Prayer: Heavenly Father, in a world filled with smooth talk and attractive lies, ground us in Your truth. Help us to discern the voices that do not honor You and give us the strength to avoid being swayed by them. May we serve You wholeheartedly, seeking unity and peace in our communities. Equip us to be agents of Your truth, living lives that reflect Your love and wisdom. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Spiritual Challenge for the day: Today, reflect on the influences in your life—are they drawing you closer to Christ or pulling you away? Choose one step to deepen your commitment to what is good, perhaps through a conversation, a decision to avoid certain divisive influences, or by spending more time in God’s Word.