Avoid Them

It was definitely hard to get up this morning; I was close to changing my alarm by 15 minutes. It did help that Ryan, my youngest, woke up and had to be fed. He is drinking a bottle right here next to me.

So, Romans 16:1-23 is mostly a list of people Paul wanted to say "hi" to in Rome. Literally verse 1-16 is listing people to greet. Verse 17 he does warn his brothers to "watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that (they) have been taught." He says to "avoid them." The "causing division" part makes me think right to the split of FBC (and actually there has been more than one split). These type of people "do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive."

I can't help but think that I in some way acted as a naive person, flattered for my talents in music. I think I was blinded to the fact that changes were being made not in love but in arrogance. The fact is, there was not a teaching of the saints the purpose for the changes, but and ultimatum was given to the people. Love would tell me that we should spend time with the people of the church (at least the amount of time it took the "spiritually mature men" to write the changes) teaching and explaining to the church why the leaders believed this was an important and crucial change needing to be made.

I have to wrap this up so I can get ready for work. I will continue next time in verse 19.

God is Good. Praise God for His Love.