17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. 18 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 of the simple. 19 For your 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. 20 And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. ...
Romans 16:17-20
Romans 16:17-20
This urging word has the same base as the word helper when used to describe the Holy Spirit. Paul is calling us to stand along side of him and note those who call divisions. He wants us to step away from the disagreement and look at the cause. Is it a genuine concern based in doctrine, serving the Lord, or is it an attempt to serve self? Are they dragging others into their conflict? If this is true we are to avoid them. Titus 3:10-11 says we are to reject divisive people after a second warning because it shows us that they are not trying to change but bent on sinning.
We are to continue our obedience to the teaching of scriptures and stay out of unnecessary offenses. We are to be experts of the good life and be uninitiated in the subtleties of evil. We are to be simple concerning evil – it is evil is all we need to know. When God’s people come together to live at peace around biblical doctrines and avoiding evil then it won’t be very long before Satan is crushed beneath our feet by the power of God released in our midst.
It seems that this biblical instruction has been set aside by the modern church. We are nice to those who cause division and try to placate them. We have become experts in why people sin so that we can rationalize hanging out with them. Like Paul, I am not talking about removing myself from the world. How else will those who don’t know Jesus hear about him. I am talking about dealing with those who claim to know Jesus and be part of His family. If we are in the Spirit then we must act like it. (Galatians 5:16; 25) If we belong to Jesus we will begin to look like Him. If we refuse to grow up then we should expect to find ourselves on our own. Then we will be forced to consider our ways and mature. When I find myself feeling alone, I look to see if I am causing unnecessary conflict. I look to Jesus to see if there is something I need to mature in.
Growing Up In Him,
Pastor Jason
No comments:
Post a Comment