Romans 15
Bible Passage: Romans 16
LIVING TESTIMONIES
Rom 16:1-16, 21-23 mentions quite a number of people who came to believe in Jesus and, most importantly, laboured much for the Lord.
Some of them supported Paul and the apostles in their work of evangelism, some opened up their houses as places of worship, some showed hospitality and care to the apostles and brethren. No matter, whether they were involved in church work, showed love for the brethren or were simply mentioned as being “in Christ” or “beloved” – all these people were living testimonies of this letter’s theme “justification by faith”. In their own way, each of them applied the teaching of justification by faith to their lives.
They obtained righteousness before God and salvation through their faith in Jesus Christ. This faith motivated them to die to the world and sin as well as to turn to God.
This faith inspired them to show love to their brethren.
This faith became their driving force in labouring for the gospel and offering their bodies as a living sacrifice to God.
How have we responded to God’s grace of justification by faith today?
SALVATION FOR ALL
Furthermore Paul mentions many Roman names, e.g. Andronicus and Junia, but also his “countrymen”, i.e. Jews.
This shows us not only that the church in Rome consisted of both Gentiles and Jews, but also re-emphasizes that salvation is meant for everyone, regardless of race or gender. As such, shouldn’t we all the more preach to all nations and strive to make our church a multicultural one?
KEEPING OUR FAITH TO THE END
At the end of his letter, Paul warns to us to be discerning in what we hear, lest we be led astray (Rom 16:17-20). Today, there are many false prophets in the world, even in the true church. Quite often, their “smooth words” may sound very reasonable to us. So how can we know what is really right or wrong?
The answer lies in prayer and the Word of God.
The Holy Spirit is our best teacher – for He knows the mind of God.
But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. (1 Cor 2:10-11)
In like manner, the Spirit can also help us to be “wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil”. He is the One who helps us to be transformed by the renewing of our minds, so that we can keep our faith to the very end. All we need to do is to follow and obey the Holy Spirit’s guidance….
One Comment
PS
Rom 16:16 Greet each one another with a holy kiss.
Mark 14:44 Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely.”
A eg of an unholy kiss.
Hope we’ll never experience this in the house of God.
Reading Rom 16 gives me a warmth feeling. So many people treated Paul well. In return Paul remembered their kindness and their names.
Pr Yen gives many encouragements in his handful of sermons. One of which he mentions it is a regret that this time he has not met bro Jeremy who fetched him back to the hotel when he visited Singapore fifteen years ago.
Pr Yen actually remembers Bro Jeremy by his name 😀 In a gentle way, Pr Yen teaches us to be like Paul, to keep brethren and their kindness in his heart and mind.
The last verse in Romans is:
to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever, Amen.
愿荣耀，因耶稣基督，归于独一全智的神，直到永远。啊们！(Rom 16:27)
This is the last message which Paul wanted readers of his letter to bring away with them:
i) God is the only one true God. Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God (Rom 9:5),
ii) God is all wise and
iii) Glory belongs to God forever.
Even if all in Romans is read and forgotten, Paul wanted us to remember these 3 points.
(omniscient is 全知，全智is all wise?)