Wednesday, September 30, 2020

Be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil

 Romans 16:17-27

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. 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. 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.

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, 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— to the only wise God be glory forever through Jesus Christ! Amen.

As he signs off he feels compelled to warn the Roman Christians against a set of trouble makers. He knows their disruptive influence on the churches all too well. Once the business of delivering the money given by the Gentile churches to Jerusalem (a visit about which he has real misgivings) is over, he can look west to Spain, calling at Rome on the way.

Why?

There are some people in the churches we have to warn these men, who smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people, they serve their own appetites. This is a native of human beings.

Paul encouraged the Christians in Rome and give them direction in their life. To be a servant of the Lord.

Wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil: Do our best and wise to do the good, but keep away what is evil. For our conscience help us to choose the way.

Paul likes to visit them in Rome when his travel to Jerusalem finished, and plan goes to Spain for the gospel.

How?

Paul put himself in the mission of the Lord, to be an honest servant of the Lord. Paul is our good example in Christian life.



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