01/16/2023
Do you feel like people treat you differently and act differently around you because you’re a Christian? Do they think you’re weak, and dumb? Do you sometimes wonder if they’re right?? Does that make you feel lonely? I know my kids feel all that at School. And we’ve been talking about it. Today we read this passage and it was SO ENCOURAGING!!!
I think this little Roman church planted in a community who didn’t know or follow Jesus, felt that way too!!
Here in Romans 16:17-20, Paul starts off by letting them know that the teachers in the Community are tricking NAive people and leading them into darkness. Have you been seeing this backwards? The Jesus followers weren’t the naïve ones!! The other people were! THEY were being tricked into following Satan toward destruction! The Jesus followers were actually on the right track!!
Then he goes on to encourage them!! He says that the believers, all over the place, were rejoicing because they WERE WATCHING the obedience of this little church!! They weren’t ALONE, they were LEADING!
The next thing he does here is absolutely affirms them! With all the pressure, they may be feeling unsure. He says YOU ARE on the right track!!! I WANT you to be excellent at doing what is right, and innocent of evil… just like you are doing. This ISNT weakness, the Holy Spirit in you is your STRENGTH HERE!!
He tells them, The GOD OF PEACE who is alive and well in you, helping you to live for Him, will soon Crush Satan… not only FOR you but also through YOU. He’s gonna do it under YOUR feet!!!
Keep on keeping on you guys!
You are not Naive, the Holy Spirit in you is actually shining a light in the Darkness for the Lost!! You are not Alone, the believers are actually watching and rejoicing and following God’s work through you! You are not WEAK, In His Strength you are powerful beyond measure!!
Every eye is on you, because Jesus shines through you!! Take time to fall in Love with Him today!! Be Excellent at what is Good, and innocent of evil!
“And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me very happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and to stay innocent of any wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
Romans 16:17-20 NLT
And now I make one more appeal, my dear brothers and sisters. Watch out for people who cause divisions and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from
