May 14
“Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple,” Romans 16:17-18.
In what might be called a postscript to the Epistle to the Romans, the apostle Paul expresses a special concern, and he has a special request. He asked the members of the congregation in Rome to take special note of those who cause divisions and offenses with teachings that are contrary to the Word of God.
From the beginning of time, there have been false teachers in every generation. For example, Moses’ brother Aaron directed the children of Israel to worship a golden calf. Later, Aaron occupied the position of being the first high priest.
The Lord directed the prophet Ezekiel to speak out in his day against the false teachers among the children of Israel: “Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy and say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord God to the shepherds: “Woe to the shepherds of Israel who feed themselves! Should not the shepherds feed the flocks? You eat the fat and clothe yourselves with the wool; you slaughter the fatlings, but you do not feed the flock. The weak you have not strengthened, nor have you healed the broken, nor brought back what was driven away, nor sought what was lost; but with force and cruelty you have ruled them . . . The shepherds fed themselves and did not feed My flock,”’” Ezekiel 34:2-4, 8.
In his Epistle to the Romans, Paul was warning against similar false teachers who do not feed the flock but who think only of feeding themselves! Paul urges, “Note those” – that is, keep your eyes open and constantly be on the watch for people who teach contrary to God’s Word, as you have learned it from Holy Scripture. Then, Paul adds a special request: “Avoid them!” Does that mean that we have no contact at all with them?
Indeed, we should be ready and willing to discuss doctrine on the basis of and in the light of Holy Scripture. The apostle Paul did that in Thessalonica: “Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead,” Acts 17:2-3. In Corinth, “He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks,” Acts 18:4. In Ephesus, “He himself entered the synagogue and reasoned with the Jews,” Acts 18:19. “He reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come,” with the Roman governor Felix in Acts 24:25.
However, if people do not want to hear anything taught in Holy Scripture, then yes, avoid them. Neither should we be impressed by people’s “smooth words and flattering speech!”
What should be our real concern? We are concerned about proclaiming the truth about sin and the Savior. Sin is the transgression of God’s Law, and Jesus Christ is God’s Son and our only Savior. He suffered and died on Calvary’s cross to wash away our sins. On Easter morning, He rose again and conquered sin, death, and the devil. Believe and trust in Him and you will be saved!
There still is time! The Master’s voice still rings, and all His heralds plead:
Oh, hide beneath the covert of His wings against the time of need!
The gracious call is still extended: the day of grace is not yet ended.
There still is time! There still is time! Amen.