Tag: divisions
Guard your heart!
Scripture reading for July 4: Romans 16
“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.” Romans 16:17-20
As Paul closes his letter to the believers in Rome naming many of them personally. He appeals to them as a brother in Christ, assuring them God knows their names. Watchfulness is encouraged because of those in the church that work against the Lord Jesus to cause divisions and create obstacles. Paul’s teaching of sound doctrine and the whole counsel of God would help them identify such threats to their unity and avoid them. They must recognize that there is a spiritual war going on and Satan, their enemy, wants to steal their unity and peace. Those opposing them disguise themselves with ‘smooth talk’ and ‘flattery’ to gain control. Believers keep their focus on the Lord and obey the Word of God taught to them.
Paul encourages them that the “God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” This statement helps us understand that deliverance from the spiritual battle requires a long obedience and daily walk of faith. This means that they become wise to what is good and stay innocent of evil. God is with them and for them, but they must do the walking out of His Word, trusting Him to defend them and give them victory. It is by faith through grace that we will stand after the battle is over. Paul rejoiced over them even now for their obedient faith. God rejoices with them and us!
Does your current world view help you understand the spiritual war that is happening each day? Are you gathering with other believers to encourage each other in the need for perseverance? Have you experienced or noticed those in the Body of Christ that cause divisions or deception through flattery?
Prayer: Father God, thank You for spiritual leaders like Paul who love the Church and appeal to believers to encourage them. Give me discernment each day concerning Satan’s attacks and those used by him to cause division and distort Truth. Use me to encourage other believers to press on to victory. Amen.
Avoid the divisive person
Scripture reading for March 2nd: Romans 16
Key Scriptures: Romans 16:17-20 “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.”
Paul’s final appeal to the Roman believers was a warning to watch out for people in Christ’s body who were divisive and created controversy and obstacles that would trip up others in the church. Paul warned the brothers to avoid such people. They were not serving the Lord Jesus, but using smooth talk and flattery to deceive those who were yet untaught or trained in sound doctrine. Paul desired these brothers to be wise and discerning for what was good, but to stay completely separated from those who were causing these divisions. Maintaining peace instead of constant arguing or disputing was preferred. God would take care of Satan soon as they walked with Jesus through this situation. He would be crushed under their feet!
Matthew 7:15-16 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothes but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?”
Faith Confession and prayer: Dear Lord, give me discernment, strength and wisdom for what is good and keep me innocent from evil. Help me to avoid disruptive people and controversy. I believe that You will soon crush Satan under my feet as by grace I walk with You.
Romans 16:25, 27 “Now to Him Who is able to strengthen you according to my Gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, . . . to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”
The Church’s One Foundation!
Scripture reading for July 09: 1st Corinthians 3
“Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly–mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. Your are still worldly. for since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly?” (1st Corinthians 3:1-3)
Paul called out this church for their lack of spiritual maturity, accusing them of being infants. It is alright to be an infant when you are first born, but the normal way of life is for babies to grow up! Babies need milk because they cannot yet eat and digest solid food. Paul suggested that these Corinthians were in the same infant state.
The reason Paul said this was because of their quarreling and jealousy towards each other. These believers were following different spiritual leaders and boasting about those who taught them. They were in competition with each other. Paul explained that spiritual leaders were only servants of the Lord, picked by Him for their task. This did not make them people to be followed and exalted! “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building!” (1st Corinthians 3:9)
Taking the building analogy, Paul explained that by God’s grace, he laid a spiritual foundation for the Corinthians by preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He acted as an expert builder, but now others were building on his foundation. “But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1st Corinthians 3:10-11) The only foundation for a strong spiritual building is Jesus Christ! When Jesus Christ returns, the Day of His coming will test the quality of each man’s work! Is your spiritual house resting on Christ alone?
Divisions in the Church!
Scripture reading for August 4th: 1st Corinthians 1:1-17
Corinth was a modern commercial center of Paul’s day. It was a city with many different people and cultures and full of paganism and idolatry. Paul had planted the church there in that culture on his second missionary journey recorded in Acts 18. He warned them of coming troubles when he left them in Acts 20:29-31. This letter was an attempt to deal with problems that arose and keep the church moving forward.
Paul opens his letter with a greeting and thanksgiving for the church in Corinth. The greeting helps them center on Paul’s understanding of their calling. “To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ–their Lord and ours: Grace and Peace to you from our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.” (1st Corinthians 1:2-3) These believers were set apart to be holy by their Lord, Jesus Christ. They were a part of a larger family consisting of all those who believe in Jesus.
These believers were precious to Paul because it was by his testimony and ministry that they were saved. God had poured out on them the Holy Spirit and the gifts and given them the hope of eternal life. They understood that Jesus was going to return and awaited Him. However, there were problems that the Apostle Paul sought to address quickly in this letter.
“My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, “I follow Paul”; another, “I follow Apollos”; another, “I follow Cephas”; still another, “I follow Christ.” (1st Corinthians 1:11-12) This division was not from God, but was a result of their elevating men who served Christ. They had favorite teachers and made serving Christ something that was dividing them instead of unifying them.
Today we have hundreds of denominations and many more sects that have split off of these. We elevate certain teachers who have charisma and a message we like to hear. Many in the church are divided from others who may not believe exactly like them. We fail to live in the unity that Christ prayed for! (John 17:21) Check your own life today. Are you living in unity with those who call Jesus Christ “Lord”?