JULY 6 READING…ROMANS 16
Paul uses the first 15 verses of chapter 16 to commend and compliment those who have blessed him in his ministry. It is good to commend and compliment people in the church when we see how the Lord is working through them. This should never be done to draw attention to personalities in the church, but for the glory of God. Paul then tells us to be very welcoming toward one another when the church comes together.
Paul gives warning about certain people who have found their way into the church body. These types of people are found in every church…hopefully they are not those who wield a great deal of influence and power in the decision making of the church. They are those who cause division and offenses, and who live in opposition to sound biblical teachings…we are to avoid them. These people are not servants of Jesus, nor are they genuine followers of Jesus. They do what they do to have personal gain. They flatter when it suits their purpose, and then they turn and devour the people of God at what they feel is the appropriate time. Their purpose is to deceive the heart of the simple and loving people in the church. Remember that deception is never the way of God…it is the way of Satan. By their deception, these people reveal who their father actually is.
Paul finishes the book of Romans by giving glory to God. He blesses the church with a desire for the grace of the Lord Jesus to be with them. He speaks of what we believers have in Christ Jesus, and how that is given us to share with all other people. He speaks of the fact that God alone is wise, and that wisdom has been revealed to us through Jesus.
Please share your thoughts from today’s reading.
TOMORROW'S READING…1 CORINTHIANS 1