SCRIPTURE
Romans 16:17-20 (NRSV)
Being wise in what is good
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them. For such people do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the simple-minded. For while your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, I want you to be wise in what is good and guileless in what is evil. The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
DEVOTION
Well, today I am tickled by Paul’s wise advice to the church in Rome. He says, “keep an eye on those who cause dissensions and offenses, in opposition to the teaching that you have learned; avoid them.” Now, this is some good and practical advice from the Holy Word of God.
All too often when we encounter people who “sow seed of discord,” we encourage their poor behavior by acting out in response to their taunting.
When people talk about us, we talk back. When people lie on us, we lie back. When people argue, we argue back. I’m sure that we have all given in to this temporary insanity at one time or another and very quickly learned that when you fight fire with fire everybody gets burned!
OUCH!
Paul shows us another way to deal with folks who like to stir up mess. He says, “avoid them.” My mama said this another way, "Ignore them."
When people see that they are not getting a rise out of you, they will leave you alone. It will no longer be fun to pick on you if you do not respond in kind.
Now let me be honest with you. I know that it is not easy to avoid—or ignore—folks who insist on plucking our last nerve. But, thanks be to God that in Jesus we have the perfect example of how to deal with conflict.
Jesus teaches us, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of God in Heaven.”
WOW! How we handle conflict with our enemies dictates whether we will be called the children of God.
Why is this so? It is because God so loved the world that God gave Jesus to die on the cross to save us from our sin and gift us with eternal life.
God loves all of God’s children and wants us to love them as well. This is why the greatest commandments are “to love the Lord our God with all our heart, mind, soul, and strength, and love our neighbors as ourselves.”
Although people abused Jesus by spreading rumors, telling lies, beating and then killing him, Jesus refused to “give people what they deserved.”
Instead, Jesus gave us what WE DID NOT DESERVE and as a result, we are reconciled with God, forgiven of our sin, and gifted with eternal life.
Today’s scripture says, “The God of peace will shortly crush Satan under your feet.”
We do not have to fight our own battles my friends! On the occasion of Jesus’ birth the angels heralded his coming with these words, “PEACE on Earth and GOODWILL toward all people!”
Be at peace dear one and share God’s peace with others!
Will you commit to becoming a peacemaker today?
God of peace, please make me a peacemaker. Where there is division, let me bring unity. Where there is hatred, let me bring love. Where there is conflict, let me bring accord. I want to be the hands, feet, mouth, and heart of Jesus everywhere I go! Let Your peace reign on Earth! I pray this in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
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