Romans Part 6: RESPONSESample

Troublemakers Is It Us?

Paul begins this final chapter to the Romans by listing detailed salutations and giving thanks. He refers to the believers as saints and as beloved in the Lord. Notice his struggle writing to them in verses 17 & 18:

“17 Now I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who create dissensions and obstacles contrary to the teaching that you learned. Avoid them! 18 For these are the kind who do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By their smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of the naive.”

Paul is “begging” them to do something, to act. This is the same pleading he used in Chapter 12:1 urging Christians to “…present your bodies…” and in Chapter 15:30, “I urge you, brethren... to strive together with me….” So, here, Paul is exhorting the church to be on guard for false teachers. Yes, the warning is unpleasant, but truth matters; doctoral truth matters.

Paul goes on with this stark warning - a directive to both mark (take note of) and avoid (turn away from) certain people. What people? How do we know who to avoid? Well, Paul elaborates, describing those causing division and stumbling, who, by smooth talk, “beguile the hearts of the innocent.” Wow!

I admit this is a quandary for me. We must both judge rightly if we are to follow his directive and turn away from those who cause dissensions and hindrances contrary to the word. Pray for wisdom!

How sad, but true, that some cause divisions, feeding on discord, tension, and drama, using nearly any issue to stir up conflict and then rallying people to join their side. They are troublemakers. And so, to avoid them may be just simple obedience.

We should strive with people to win them back over to Christ by our loving, patient example - using the word of God (truth) to convince them to humbly repent. I hope to, but if we are unsuccessful, then we are to “mark them” and avoid them.

Note that in the NASB translation, “mark” means to “keep your eye on those…causing divisions!” Could that imply we are to keep open to them changing? I hope so.

Take a special note of verse 19:

“19 Your obedience is known to all and thus I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise in what is good and innocent in what is evil.”

When Paul “Rejoices” over you – he is rejoicing specifically over your obedience.

Paul closes out his letter to the Romans with this commendation on the obedience of faith in verse 24: “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.”

In verses 25 & 26 we find the (secret) formula on how to have this obedience:

“25 Now to Him who has power to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret for long ages past, 26 but now is revealed by the prophetic Scriptures according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all the Gentiles for the obedience of faith.”

If your life is filled with tension, drama, and broken relationships, perhaps you are void of the Spirit and in need of salvation. If these shoes fit your feet… repent quickly and turn to Jesus in truth, love, and genuine humility.

Praying: God help us to develop eyes to discern dissension, to take decisive action in turning away from false teachings, and grow faithfully in holiness. We rely on Your promises and trust in Your gift of grace.

Jesus Changes Everything. God can turn Troublemakers into Peacemakers!

-Rick Ripley