Shade Tree Wisdom 10/23/10

The event that changed the world and brought us ‘before’ and 'after’, the death crucifixion of Jesus Christ in an obscure corner of the Roman Empire, hardly noticed by anyone else, took place about 30 years before this letter arrived in Rome.

Rome, the teeming Capital of the world, bustling with commerce and activity of all kinds, was also home of much important writing, so this letter hardly made a splash when it arrived.

There was much to read in Rome. Court documents, official notices, fine poetry and literature. And yet, this letter has outstayed them all, and is indeed an excellent statement of what God is up to in this world. And who Jesus Christ is, and what does it mean when we say Jesus “saves”, and just why is it important for mankind?

For here St. Paul, who begins the letter by identifying himself as “the servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an Apostle and appointed to tell the Good News”. V.1. And, so beginning with the beginning, he tells the story. How Adam and Eve fell into sin, ‘by One man sin entered into the world”, and how this sin was defeated by Jesus Christ, and what this all means for the life of every person. How believers are to react now that they do believe Jesus died for them, and what happens to their lives, their outlook, and their entire existence. How they can, and do live in hope. And how they can defeat the temptations thrown at them by Satan.

It’s an important letter, for it explains clearly just what God’s Plan is to save mankind. The news is The Good News. That is why these last verses we will look at in a moment are so striking.

Paul ends his letter with greetings from various believers, and then he throws this caution in. “Fellow Christians, I urge you to watch those who cause disagreements and make people fall for going against the teaching you learned. Turn away from them. Such men are not serving Christ, our Lord, but their own bellies. By their fine flattering talk are deceiving innocent people”. Then he adds this word “I want you to be experts in what is good, and not even beginners in evil. It will not be long before the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet”. Romans 16, 17-20

Paul uses “I urge you”. He means the words to be taken as a strong warning. The word he uses here, “urge” means “Please pay attention” and “I insist you follow this”. It is pressing.

As it is today. A recent study tells that a mere ten percent of all Christians believe they have the entire truth, and say “there is some good in all religions”. Flattering, but never true for the person to whom Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the Life. No man comes to the Father But By Me.” John 14,6.

GPD 10/23/10