KEEP WATCH

Romans 16:17-20
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright © 1996, 2004 by Tyndale Charitable Trust.

Paul’s Final Instructions

17 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. 18 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. 19 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. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.


As Paul closes his letter to the church at Rome, his appeal to them was specific to two areas … divisions and false teaching.

God forgive us if we are a people who practice separation. Max Lucado referred to this separation in football terms. He talked about the church that ‘huddles’ to themselves, focusing more on their ideas, practices or traditions rather than serving Christ our Lord.

God forgive us if we sit under false teaching. God has given us His Word. It is accurate and it is complete. The church that compromises on the Word and fails to teach what ‘thus says the Lord” is a church which is does not please the Lord.
Does Paul’s appeal speak to believers today? Is this Word relevant to the church in the 21st century? Yes, we still need to heed this appeal a be obedient to the Lord.