|
|
Pathways Through Paul
Daily Devotional
May 21
Click on verses for Full Scripture
|
previous - - - - - - - - - -
next
|
Today's Pathway:
|
Yesterday we saw Paul warning the church at Rome that they needed to avoid false teachers. Today Paul adds to those thoughts. He commends them because they are obedient, and that their obedience is well known. The Greek word translated "obedience" is a compound word meaning "to hear under". The idea is that the church heard what the truth was and they placed themselves under what they heard, and followed it. It is important to hear the truth, which is why Paul was warning about those who would seduce believers away from sound doctrine. However, as we have seen previously, if you do not obey the truth, then knowing the truth really doesn't help you very much. Paul is thankful that they are obedient. He then says that he wants them to be "wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil". There are two aspects to this phrase. First, the believer should spend time learning about the things that are good. He should study the Scriptures and find out what things please the Lord, and then put those things into practice. However, in addition to that, he should not be spending his time learning about things that are evil. The first definition for the Greek word used there is "worthless". While many Christians desire to do what is right, they also spend time dabbling in the things of the world. Sometimes they waste time learning about things that are useless, and sometimes they go a step further and learn about things that are depraved. Paul says that the Roman believers should be "simple" about sinful things. The word translated "simple" means, "to not mingle". The idea is that believers should spend as little time as possible learning about the world and being influenced by it. William Vine wrote,
"His desire for them was that they might be untainted by the influences of evil teachers and the divisions and stumbling blocks caused thereby. Thus would they be wise in adherence to the truth. If we are to be kept from admixture with what is baneful we must be steadfast in the faith, abiding in the truth."
The Christian is surrounded by the world and it's wicked influences. Thus, attempting to follow Paul's admonition to not mingle with it could prove to be discouraging. So Paul gives the Roman Christians some encouragement in verse 20. God is going to overcome Satan shortly. God brings peace. Satan brings discord. As we wander through this discordant world we can have the "peace that passeth all understanding" (Philippians 4:7) because we know the God of peace. And someday, Satan's dominion will be destroyed forever. There will no longer be anything worthless or sinful to be influenced by. This promise was first given to Adam and Eve in Genesis 3:15, where God said to the serpent,
"And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
The Seed of the woman is Jesus, and He defeated Satan on the cross. Eventually, Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire, and all his vile influences will be completely destroyed. Paul says that this will happen "shortly". It may seem to us like this has taken a long time, but it has just been a moment as far as the Lord is concerned, for to Him a thousand years is as one day (II Peter 3:8). And in the meantime, God's grace will be with us to help us to overcome the influences and temptations of this world.
What do you know more about: the truths of the Bible, or the errors of the world?
Pastor Mark J Montgomery
|
|
You Are Here: 
