Innocent of Evil

The temperate person's pleasures are durable because they are regular; and all their life is calm and serene, because it is innocent.

Author Unknown

Romans 16:19-20

The report of your obedience has reached everyone. Therefore I rejoice over you. But I want you to be wise about what is good, yet innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you. (HCSB)

Here at the end of Paul’s letter to the Roman church, we find the same rejoicing that Paul spoke of at the beginning. Paul began this letter in much the same way. In Romans 1:8 Paul says, “First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you because the news of your faith is being reported in all the world.” Paul rejoiced whenever Christ was manifested in the lives of people.

So here is a question for all of us this morning. Are there people around you that are saying the same thing about the way we live? This means that you are taking the second part of this verse very seriously also. It means you are growing wise in the ways of God and innocent in the ways of evil. Paul also mentions this in 1 Cor 14:20, “Brothers, don’t be childish in your thinking, but be infants in evil and adult in your thinking.”

Paul here speaks of evil as people in the state of infancy that will not grow up to be adults in spiritual things. This means that they are not spreading the news of Christ’s power and grace in their lives, but they are controlled by the evil one in this world and bring shame to the Cross of Christ. They are not known in the world for expressing faith, but for a lack of faith having the reputation of a foolish child...God’s Blessings.

Pastor William

Saying Thankyou

Better than thanksgiving is thanksliving.

Author Unknown

Jeremiah 30:19 - Thanksgiving will come out of them, a sound of celebration. I will multiply them, and they will not decrease; I will honor them, and they will not be insignificant. (HCSB)

Colossians 4:2 - Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving. (HCSB)

I have been in many churches where we reviewed the prayer list and checked on prayer needs and have besought the Lord’s grace on behalf of many. Most churches have this same list, a standing list of those that need prayer. But I have not seen in many churches a list of answered prayers which would result in praise to God for His work in our lives.

It is as if we just expect God to do these things; it’s just His business or duty to take care of us...right? The One and Only God, who created us and all that is around us to reflect His Glory is faithful and just, but wouldn’t it be a good thing to stop often and reflect on some specific things God has done for us, and is doing for us daily?

Wake up sleepers and rise from the daily doldrums of life and see what God has done for you. You should first give praise to God for being born in this rich and beautiful country, and then begin to thank Him for health, for food, for a roof over your head, for every way you can find that He has blessed you. But first of all thank Him for Calvary and for our redemption and salvation, give thanks for, and to our Jesus…God’s Blessingss.

Pastor William

Dissension In The Church

Each eye can have its vision separately; but when we are looking at anything our vision, which in itself is divided, joins up and unites in order to give itself as a whole to the object that is put before it, that whole is Jesus Christ.

John Calvin (1509-1564, French protestant reformer)

Romans 16:17-18

Now I implore you, brothers, watch out for those who cause dissensions and pitfalls contrary to the doctrine you have learned. Avoid them; for such people do not serve our Lord Christ but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattering words they deceive the hearts of the unsuspecting. (HCSB)

Opinions are like elbows; everybody has a couple. Opinions are many times the start of confusion in the Body of Christ. Opinions are not bad; in fact they are the source of fresh ideas in the Body of Christ. They do become a problem however when we think that our opinion is the always the right one.

After a decision is made then the opinions of what happened or was decided upon are not important. It is important then for everyone to unite in cause and in harmony and fellowship do the work of the church. But…alas, there is at times always a group that disagrees eternally, and seeks others that do, and impairs the harmony of the church.

How are you and I to handle disinters? We are to avoid them; they are not serving Christ when they are causing division in the church. Yet, I find people will run to these people to get the latest lowdown on what’s going on. When you listen to these people you feed the problem, but if you refuse to listen they may find their place and return to a peaceful existence in The Body of Christ…God’s Blessings

Pastor William