Daily Devotional
November 14
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. - Romans 16:17-18 (KJV)
Paul has said many times in scripture, to withdraw from those that are causing strife in the church. The word translated “mark”, literally means to “keep an eye on” them, and if they continue to cause division in the body of Christ, then you should avoid them. This does not mean that we are to avoid those that just don’t believe as we do, as we are to witness to them, and bring the truth of God’s Word to them, by sharing the Gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15). This is referring to those that are in the Church as believers, yet they start causing divisions and offences in the body. If you have been to church for many years, you probably have seen some people that seem to delight in causing strife, and that is a real shame, as we are to love one another, as Jesus has loved us (John 13:34).
Those that cause strife in the church are those that are serving their own interests (own belly), and not serving the interest of the church, and our Lord Jesus. Paul has said that the time will come when some will not endure sound doctrine, and want to only serve for the money (2 Timothy 4:3). This is certainly true, as I have seen Preachers that I truly do not think they even are born again believers, as they show no fruit (lifestyle) of being so, and you must judge a tree, as well as people, by it’s fruit (Matthew 7:20). There are some that preach a great sermon, and use powerful words, but they are not teaching God’s Word correctly. That is what Paul is talking about here, and they can deceive those that do not know the Word themselves (are simple) – you must study the bible and know what is true. Thank you Lord for your Word.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
**Daily Devotional**
**November 14**
*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. - Romans 16:17-18 (KJV)*
Paul has said many times in scripture, to withdraw from those that are causing strife in the church. The word translated “mark”, literally means to “keep an eye on” them, and if they continue to cause division in the body of Christ, then you should avoid them. This does not mean that we are to avoid those that just don’t believe as we do, as we are to witness to them, and bring the truth of God’s Word to them, by sharing the Gospel of Christ (Mark 16:15). This is referring to those that are in the Church as believers, yet they start causing divisions and offences in the body. If you have been to church for many years, you probably have seen some people that seem to delight in causing strife, and that is a real shame, as we are to love one another, as Jesus has loved us (John 13:34).
Those that cause strife in the church are those that are serving their own interests (own belly), and not serving the interest of the church, and our Lord Jesus. Paul has said that the time will come when some will not endure sound doctrine, and want to only serve for the money (2 Timothy 4:3). This is certainly true, as I have seen Preachers that I truly do not think they even are born again believers, as they show no fruit (lifestyle) of being so, and you must judge a tree, as well as people, by it’s fruit (Matthew 7:20). There are some that preach a great sermon, and use powerful words, but they are not teaching God’s Word correctly. That is what Paul is talking about here, and they can deceive those that do not know the Word themselves (are simple) – you must study the bible and know what is true. Thank you Lord for your Word.
Devotional by Pastor Joe W. Green, www.infinite-faith.com
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