Morning Devotional June 7, 2024

Romans 16:17-18

“17 Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them which cause divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine which ye have learned; and avoid them.

18 For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.”

The Apostle Paul warned the early churches over and over again about those who were out there trying to make a name for themselves and those who were trying to draw God's people away from the truth into some new found religion based on their own whims. Paul had traveled around, preaching and teaching these early churches and wrote them letters when he could not go in person. He taught them the Word of God. As early churches Paul taught, not only the Gospel of Jesus Christ but also the doctrine of how they were to conduct themselves as churches of the Lord Jesus Christ. He warned them of those men who were teaching contrary to what he taught. The difference was Paul's teachings were inspired by the Lord Himself and did not go contrary to the Word of God. While the others were after their own gain.

Today we see the same thing going on all around us. Men are seeking to make a name for themselves and seeking to fill their pockets with filthy lucre and are causing divisions and offences contrary to the doctrine we have been taught from the Word of God. The same warnings Paul gave the early churches are still relevant for the Lord's churches today. “Avoid them”.

Praise ye the Lord!!!