Worshipping Ladies Community Group
This group is for Christian women only. We seek to love and encourage one another with the compassion Christ gives us.
Romans 16:17-27 (Quoted from NLT)
17-20 “And now I make one more appeal, my brothers and sisters. Watch out for people that cause division and upset people’s faith by teaching things contrary to what you have been taught. Stay away from them. (18) Such people are not serving Christ our Lord; they are serving their own personal interests. By smooth talk and glowing words they deceive innocent people. (19) But everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. This makes me happy. I want you to be wise in doing right and stay innocent of any wrong. (20) The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. May the grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.”
21-22 “Timothy, my fellow worker, sends you his greetings, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my fellow Jews. (22) I, Tertius, the one writing this letter for Paul, send my greetings, too, as one of the Lord’s followers.”
23 “Gaius says hello to you. He is my host and also serves as host to the whole church. Erastus, the city treasurer, sends you his greetings, and so does our brother Quartus.”
The NLT left out verse 24, but in the KJV is says, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.”
25-27 “Now all glory to God, who is able to make you strong, just as my Good News says. This message is about Jesus Christ has revealed his plan for you Gentiles, a plan kept secret from the beginning of time. (26) But now as the prophets foretold and as the eternal God has commanded, this message is made known to all Gentiles everywhere, so that they too might believe and obey him. (27) All glory to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, forever. Amen.”
My comments: We should watch out for people that have the goal of causing division by teaching contrary things to what Scripture says. Those people aren’t serving Christ, but rather their own personal interests, and they deceive others with their smooth talk, but everyone knows that you are obedient to the Lord. Be wise and innocent and do only what is right, and not what is wrong. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under our feet. May God’s grace be with you. (Skipping verses 21-24) The message about Jesus in now revealed to the Gentiles. It was kept secret from the beginning of time, but the prophets foretold about it as God told them to do so, and after Jesus resurrection it was revealed to them, but it was always God’s plan from the very beginning to include them so they could also believe and obey.
Although the last few passages have talked about the importance of unity, I think it is also important to be honest about our beliefs. Sometimes we go along to get along, or we remain silent so we don’t rock the boat. I think it is fine to express our interpretations of Scripture and our beliefs to each other, and it is o.k. to disagree, as long as our thoughts and opinions are voiced in respect. I think it is o.k. for others to hear differing views and interpretations of Scripture, and everyone can study the Bible for themselves and pray for God's guidance. Then people can make up their own minds about what they beleive Scritpure is saying, but that is just my opinion.
My comments on this scripture:
The main thing I get from this is to stay away from false teaching and smooth speakers who do not speak the true Word.
Yes, it's fine to voice our differing opinions, but we need to be sure not to try to force them on anyone, and be sure they line up with scripture.
Yes, I agree with your Scriptural take away. I also mentioned the smooth talk in my summary.
I also agree that opinions shouldn't be forced on people. I think there is a difference between forcing an opinion and offering a different perspective. I think forcing an opinion demands that others agree with you, but offering a different perspective just puts it out there and allows the other person to make up their own mind, but they still respect the other person and can get along with them if they don't agree.
Of course our beliefs should line up with Scripture, but one person interprets Scripture one way, and someone else sees it differently, and that is what I was talking about when voicing differing opinions.
Thank you so much Robin for all of your participation, and your insights! They were all greatly appreciated!!!