By His Grace,
Deb
“Concluding Thoughts That Matter”
By Pastor Rich Paradis
Romans 16:17-27
We’ve
finally done it! After 2+ years of study and application, we have made it to
the end of the letter to the Roman churches. What a great journey it has been.
Paul has, in his longest and most theologically intense letter, helped us to
more fully understand some of the most difficult concepts of the Christian
life. Now, as he comes to the end of his letter, we are challenged to consider
the God of the gospel, the hero of the story, and the One who alone makes all
the difference in the lives of those that are “living sacrifices” as they live
their lives each and every day.
I.
A
Challenge to the Readers Romans 16:17-20
a.
As
Paul wraps up his first list of “faithful ones”, Paul encourages the reader to
not only remember the ones that have helped the movement of the Gospel, but
also those that are the enemies of the Gospel. In addition to those that are
“fellow workers, risk-takers, beloved ones, hard workers, kinsmen, approved,
choice, and saints” from our preceding paragraph, there are also others that
need a moment of recognition, but for a very different reason.
b.
Paul
urges his brethren, in Verse 17, to
recognize another group of workers and faithful ones. This word “urge” means to
implore or to call to. While the group under consideration is not exactly known
here, we will read that they have some characteristics that are best noted and
steered clear of. Paul is calling the readers of this letter to consider,
because of their common connection to Christ, this group that has their hearts
set on causing dissensions and hindrances.
c.
But
the end of verse 17 offers an antidote to these offensive ones. We are not only
to “keep an eye out for them”, that is to be aware of both their reality and
their schemes, but we are also to “turn away from them”. Fighting of this enemy
is not done toe to toe. It is done from a distance! I believe that additional
help is provided in this battle as we consider “the teachings that we have
learned”. This “teaching” is not just the book of Romans in Paul’s mind, but
the entirety of the foundational teaching in the believer’s heart and mind.
When we speak of mentoring and discipling here at Faith, the foundational
things are the curriculum that is in mind.
d.
Matthew
7:15 and John 10:10 are a couple of other verses that give us insight into
these that have trouble on their mind. Dissension has the idea of dividing,
while hindrance has the thought of a stumbling block or that which helps to
lead another to sin. Both of these ideas are scary and something to be watched
for.
e.
But
the next verse really introduces these troublemakers for who they are. Verse 18 reveals them to “slaves”.
Those that follow Christ are also slaves, but these that are under
consideration are not slaves to the same master as the believer in the Lord
Christ. What are they slaves to if not Christ. Look at the characteristics of
this deceiver. He is a slave to his own appetites, not the will of God. He
depends on his smooth and flattering speech as a means of deception instead of
the Word of God. And who is he out for? Any unsuspecting and naïve heart that
comes along!
f.
Paul
is able to take heart in those readers of this letter in Verse 19. He notes that their obedience is well known and this
attribute of the Roman church brings rejoicing to the heart of Paul. But even
with this encouragement for them, he still offers warning of the dangers that
these deceptive ones will bring. Therefore, Paul says to be very discerning,
able to spot trouble and avoid falling into it.
i.
What
do you think it means to be “wise in what is good and innocent in what is
evil”?
g.
As
Paul continues his thought, he shares in Verse
20 the fact that the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.
What does this mean? Paul has warned his readers against those that don’t have
the forward movement of the Kingdom of God in mind. These people are slaves of
not only their own appetites, but also have fellowship and kinship with their
master, Satan himself. Satan is not a provider of peace, only God is. But the
God of peace, as was noted in Genesis 3:15, will ultimately prevail under the
leadership and power of the One born of a woman, Jesus Christ Himself. The
obvious next comment follows this incredible truth. Paul offers his readers the
necessary provision of God’s grace as they continue in “living sacrifice” until
the ultimate defeat of this enemy is accomplished.
II.
Paul’s
Concluding List Romans 16:21-27
a.
Whether
the preceding warning came as Paul was thinking about those that needed
recognition or not is the question that comes up as we now return to a listing
of Paul’s MVP list.
b.
Paul
now continues his list with some names that are this time a bit more known to
us. We have a lot of information on Paul’s son in the faith, Timothy. Acts
13-20 give us some noting of the names that follow: Lucius, Jason and
Sosipater. Paul even allows Tertius, his amanuensis for the letter, to take a
moment for greeting these readers. Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus follow on the
list. Again, Acts 19-20 offer their names as a part of the ministry of Paul.
c.
But
the name that is last (and most notable) on this list is God Himself. God,
receives as He well should, the concluding and overarching glory for all that
has been written in this letter. Paul returns to the language of Romans 1 as he
concludes the letter. It is the gospel that will establish the reader through
preaching and according to the promises made to the patriarchs of old. It is
His mystery (the Gospel for all) that is revealed in the Scriptures, according
to His command, and will be known to all the nations, and it will result in the
obedience of faith. All glory to Him. He is the One and Only God to both the
Jew and to the Gentile.
d.
Amen
and Amen! That is the only thing that can be shouted at the conclusion of such
an important and glorious letter!!
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