A Journey through Romans - Chapter 16

This is it the final chapter in this blog Series. Paul begins by rattling off a whole bunch of names of people that has helped him along the way and likewise we have those people in our lives whom we are to give thanks. These are people that will stand by us through the storms we face as well as the good times. These are people that will never let us fall but will catch us before we hit rock bottom and they will be by our side and help pick up the pieces. These are also people that have been strong positive role models and authority figures who we can look up to and be accountable to. We are in the midst of Christmas and its a time for family and friends to just gather over big meal and just be content and be thankful and grateful to those around you and for that one day of the year haven't you noticed that overwhelming sense of peace at the dinner table.

Paul then goes on to warn us. This peace, these bonds can easily be broken and its detailed in some scriptures.

Rom 16:17  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.
Rom 16:18  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.

This is already happening, very little understand the true meaning of christmas because the world has bombarded us with man created images of Santa Clause, dreary secular chrismas music in the malls, you name it, people are being deceived left and right with the sole purpose of drawing us away from God

and now to Pauls closing statement:

Rom 16:27  to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

This is his final plea to us that whatever our passions are, whatever our dreams are, our desires are we are to use them to the glory of God.

I hope you have been blessed by this series. There has been some hard stuff come up and some wondeful stuff come up but one thing that stands is that God is by our side through thick and thin.