David Bahn – Reflections

Romans 16:17-23

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter, greet you in the Lord.

23 Gaius, who is host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

Unity in the church is such a great blessing that anything that undercuts or disturbs it must be recognized for what it is and avoided. In fact, sadly, those people who cause division are to be avoided. This is a stark statement. But the warning goes out from Paul – who sought to bring the Gospel message to all people everywhere – that those who cause divisions or place unnecessary hurdles in the way of the faithful do not serve Christ but their own causes, desires, and purposes. They will even resort to flattery and smooth talk to cause people to abandon the true Gospel of Jesus Christ!

It is sad to say that such people exist even today. Some will criticize the church or its leaders in an effort to discredit or undercut the church’s ministry. Others will blatantly oppose the Christian message of repentance and forgiveness through the death, resurrection, reign and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Our calling is to believe in Jesus and follow where he leads. Such is the way of good and the path which God lays out for his people. Those who abandon that path, or those who put obstacles in the way of those who are on that path will be destroyed.

Thanks be to God, however, for those precious people who are the strong allies of the Gospel message. Paul mentions Timothy, Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater. Tertius inserts himself as one who is a dedicated servant of Paul: his scribe. Then Gaius, Erastus, and Quartus are also mentioned. Such is the band of brothers in Christ in Corinth (probably) who are co-workers and partners in the Gospel ministry to which Paul is dedicated. They, with Paul live and rejoice in the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you have a unified body of believers, and a sense of shared purpose under the Gospel, the blessings of that unity is not to be taken for granted. It is sweet and salutary and to be valued and protected. For such unity and shared purpose I am thankful. How about you?