Watch Out

I appeal to you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and create obstacles contrary to the doctrine that you have been taught; avoid them. 18 For such persons do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience is known to all, so that I rejoice over you, but I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
Romans 16:17-20
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Watch Out
The human heart likes divisions. The enemies of God are excited about divisions and envy and strife and all kinds of things that divide and pit one person against another. Left on our own, we would be all alone. But, thanks be God, we are not left to our own devices. Jesus comes to rescue us and make us whole again in him. It is because of his obedience at the cross that we can be obedient. We are growing in wisdom and in faith because this living God continues to come to us by Word preached and Sacraments given. In Jesus, what we have divided, he unites. He unites us first to himself and his cross and then to each other. What a great family we have been given. Thanks be to God for his deliverance from all our enemies.