Our final message on the Paul’s letter to the Romans is shared by three young men, Matthew, Sam and Jack.
Chapter 16 continues as a list of seemingly minor references to a long list of people, and it is easy to dismiss this portion as unimportant.
Matthew starts and suggests that it is too easy to think of the last 23 versus as just a list of movie credits. All the actors and crew, more or less importance. If you look carefully though it shows the character of Paul’s love for real people and the network of people who are active in the Church. It is not a dry list of names. These are Paul’s friends and brothers and sisters in Christ. They are the people who make ministry possible. Considering that these people are recorded in God’s word shows that we have a personal and loving Father.
Sam takes a look at versus 17 through 23 and the issue of false teachers. Why would Paul put a warning against false teachers at the end of such a powerful letter of doctrine. It is because false teaching only needs a hint of influence to dilute people’s love for the truth and it is essential that Paul’s letter end with the warning. If false teachers can remove anything then Paul's teaching is in vain. False teachers are increasing in these last days. False teaching used to centre around doctrine but is now more existential about the condition of life rather than disputes about such as the resurrection. Love for the truth creates an opposition to falsehood. Christians can be deceived. Be active or alert to the issue. Pursue truth.
Deuteronomy 13:1–3 warns us to not listen to false words. “If a prophet or a dreamer of dreams arises among you and gives you a sign or a wonder, and the sign or wonder that he tells you comes to pass, and if he says, ‘Let us go after other gods,’ which you have not known, ‘and let us serve them,’ you shall not listen to the words of that prophet or that dreamer of dreams. For the LORD your God is testing you, to know whether you love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. (ESV)
Jack then considers 3 points:
Understanding the indwelling life of christ is what will produce love for people
Understanding the gospel is something the leads us to a dependence on God
God really cares about his own glory and wants that reflected in our life
Good doctrinal knowledge leads to a mentality of love and valuing other people but people can have good doctrinal knowledge and not love. How can this be? The point is that we don’t actually know how to live the christian life.
Romans 7:18–19 For I know that nothing good dwells in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but not the ability to carry it out. For I do not do the good I want, but the evil I do not want is what I keep on doing.
Knowledge of God and what Christ has done allows people to be loved through you. The experience of living out Christ leads to a mentality of loving people. Doctrine shouldn’t lead us to self confidence and perceived ability to live the christian life but a dependence on God. God will establish you.
When we look at the Glory of God it changes us.