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MARK
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. Romans 16:17
In a sermon Charles Spurgeon preached in 1865, he said,
“…Satan always hates Christian fellowship; it is his policy to keep Christians apart. Anything which can divide saints from one another he delights in.... Since union is strength, he does his best to promote separation.” Charles H. Spurgeon, Metropolitan Tabernacle Pulpit, Vol. 11, Ser. #657, “Satanic Hindrances”, 1865
Even if we walk in the blessed propositions and practices logically and progressively presented from this blessed epistle, divisiveness that parts Christian unity in the local church can disturb and distress the most loving and god-fearing congregations. It doesn’t just suddenly appear. It creeps in slowly like all of Satan’s wiles. He takes a misunderstanding between brothers and blows it out of proportion. He takes a brother’s joyful delight in a verse of Scripture and perverts it to the detriment of others. Satan does this through persons who “do not serve our Lord Christ, but their own appetites, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naïve” (Rom 16:18). The way of the Roman epistle, the way in which true believers are alive, and blessed because we delight in Christ, is evident by the truth of Christ crucified— that we are justified through faith alone, by grace alone, in Christ alone, according to Scripture alone, for God’s glory alone. Those who cause divisions want to divide us from one another and separate us from the truth of Christ’s atoning grace. The truth of Christ unites; opinions that lead us away from Christ divide and deceive naïve hearts. We are to watch out for them, or “mark them” (KJV); that is, make specific note of who they are who commit destructive sedition, and avoid them. In this we not only have a responsibility to ourselves for the gospel’s sake, but also to our fellow believers for Christ’s church’s sake. It’s not an easy task, but “letting things slide” not only dishonors Christ, it brings no glory to God, and is a detriment to our unity as believers.
Online Bible Audio/Readings Links (ESV)
8/26 Reading Portions: 1 Samuel 18; Romans 16; Lamentations 3; Psalm 34
