Romans
16:17-18 I
urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles
in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from
them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites.
By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.
As we close our month in the
Book of Romans we are reminded to continue in the truth. The Word of God is
truth. The commentaries and other Christian study books are not the Word of
God. They are only books that people write to share their reflections and insights
on God’s Word. For thousands of years Christians have written about the Bible
and God’s work in the church from the beginning. We all have benefited from
their writings.
But as we read, we are to
mindful of such writing’s truthfulness and consistency with Scripture. If
authors deviate from Biblical truth, we could be led astray. The more you read
Scripture, the more the Holy Spirit will enlighten you. The more Christians you
fellowship with and share reflections on Scripture, the more you will learn and
be enlightened by the Holy Spirit.
Be warned, too, that some
will try to lead you astray with “new” insights from Scripture. Some may try to
add or subtract from Scripture. The best defense is to reading Scripture and
comparing other writings and sermons to what is in the Bible.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles,
and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our
eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set
before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right
hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful
men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews
12:1-3
