Romans 16:17-27
Be Still: Lord, today open the eyes of my heart. Speak to me through your Word. Guide my steps and lead me in your everlasting ways. Amen
Read: Romans 16:17-27
'I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.' (v 17)
Encounter: The song flashed up on my socials – Ed Sheeran signing a worship song. Amazing! I thought. But before I got too carried away, a little further research revealed this was an AI generated fake. Very realistic, but a complete lie.
It is hard to know what and who to trust these days. It is so easy for lies and false ideas to take root. Paul, speaking to the early church in Rome, is urging them to be aware of those who cause divisions, who bring in false teaching and ideologies. The enemy is all too quick to energise these corruptions leading to factions and fall outs.
So what are the Christian’s in Rome to do? They need to watch out for anything that is contrary to the teachings they have learned.
As followers of Jesus in the 21st century we need to reflect long and hard on how we hold firm to Gospel truth, how we disagree well with others, with love and respect, and how we avoid getting caught up in petty arguments that distract and divide. All of this is profoundly challenging and hard.
Apply: In navigating all this and discerning God’s standard in a complex world, I often refer to four key ways of discerning truth.
The Bible – In light of the context and culture, what does God teach through his Word?
Tradition – What has the church taught throughout time? The Creeds are a huge gift to us in discerning truth.
Reason – What does science and historical study reveal about our past to help us better understand truth?
Experience – What does the Holy Spirit reveal to us as we gather together, as we study and pray?
These four lenses are instrumental in helping us hold firm to good doctrine. We need to stay humble and open, and we need to seek God’s wisdom and guidance as we seek to live lives of truth in a crooked and complex world.
Devote: Lord, reveal your truth to me today. Protect me from divisive and distorted teaching that weakens the power of true gospel.