One More Thing
Opening Prayer
Lord, there’s been so much in Your Word these past few weeks. Help me to really take in what I need.
Read ROMANS 16:17-27
[17] I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. [18] For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people. [19] Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. [20] The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. [21] Timothy, my co-worker, sends his greetings to you, as do Lucius, Jason and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. [22] I, Tertius, who wrote down this letter, greet you in the Lord. [23] Gaius, whose hospitality I and the whole church here enjoy, sends you his greetings. Erastus, who is the city’s director of public works, and our brother Quartus send you their greetings. [24] [25] Now to him who is able to establish you in accordance with my gospel, the message I proclaim about Jesus Christ, in keeping with the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, [26] but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all the Gentiles might come to the obedience that comes from faith- [27] to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 International Bible Society. All rights reserved throughout the world. Used by permission of International Bible Society.
Reflect
What is Paul's final admonition to these Christians?There’s just time for Paul to give some final instructions. It comes as a bit of an interruption to the greetings—so it’s obviously important to him to say it before he goes any further, or runs out of space.
It’s as if he’s saying, “false teaching is always going to be around—don’t get complacent about it—keep watchful for those who would undermine sound doctrine.” And of course this is true for us, too. Until Satan is crushed (20), sincere, humble people stand to be led astray by people motivated by their own evil appetites, not by their love for Jesus.
A couple more greetings and we suddenly come upon a short but lovely hymn of praise to God—three eloquent verses that bless the people and, most of all, honor Jesus.
Theology misses the point unless it results in doxology (worship). A tightly reasoned theological letter like this can do us the world of good in “renewing our minds” (12:2) and challenging our lifestyles to become more Christ-like. All that, like time and eternity itself, is for and because of Jesus.
Apply
How can you be more “wise about what is good and innocent about what is evil” (19)? Ask God’s help for that.
Closing prayer
Make this your prayer now: “To You, Jesus, be all the glory now, forever and ever. Amen.”
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