Romans 16:19-20
Everyone has heard about your obedience, so I rejoice because of you; but I want you to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you.
Matthew 5:13-16
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.
“You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.
Devotion
As Paul closes out his letter to the church at Rome, he commends the believers in Rome for their reputation of being obedient. Paul rejoices because of their obedience and faithfulness to the Gospel and instructs them to be wise about what is good and what is evil. In our culture, there is a gray area that lies between good and evil. This gray area has a lot of believers confused about what is right and wrong, or what is good and evil.
Jesus calls believers to be “salt and light” in this world. We are to influence people toward the kingdom of God. Instead, many Christians have allowed themselves to be influenced by the culture. Instead of a clear line of demarcation between good and evil, many have fallen prey to this fogginess or confusion that accompanies worldly influence.
We are living in a day when righteousness is mistaken as wickedness and goodness is mistaken for evil. Throughout the history of the church, it has had to resist the temptation of choosing popularity over principle. This was true 2,000 years ago and is still true today.
Paul ends this text on a positive note: “The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.” Paul reminds his readers that the victory has already been won. Jesus, the Serpent Crusher (Gen. 3) has already secured the victory through His atoning sacrifice at Calvary. The price has been paid. The debt has been settled. We are just waiting for the final curtain to fall.
While we wait for Christ’s imminent return, let us be faithful and obedient to the One who gave His life as a ransom for many. Let us hold true to the teachings of the early apostles and be unwavering in standing up for what is good and right!
Questions to Ponder:
At the end of your life, will you hear the words, “Well done, good and faithful servant!”? Are you a positive influence in a culture where everything seems to be upside down? What are some ways you have allowed the culture to influence your thought processes? What will it take for you to be salt and light in a culture that is becoming increasingly hostile towards Christianity?
Prayer Points
- Thank the Lord for His Word, His Holy Spirit, our church family, the greater one church.
- Thank Him for granting us Pastor Bob as an anointed teacher of the word, an under shepherd who teaches the Word of God but also lives it out.
- Thank Abba for the teaching team of pastors within our church family as well as all of our pastors who teach and shepherd in many different ways. Pray a blessing over them.
- Ask the Lord to continue to use Oak Pointe Church to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Let us shine like bright stars out in the universe as we hold out the Word of God. Pray for lasting fruit.
Suggested Prayer
Abba, Papa, thank You for being love, light and truth. Thank You for being my all in all, my Savior and Lord. Thank You for being the Slain Lamb, the Perfect Sacrifice so that I would be with You for all of eternity, now and in the next age. I ask that You would infill and empower me and Your church by Your Holy Spirit to be light and salt. Compel us by Your Holy love, moved with a heart of compassion to share and show the love of Jesus Christ. Make us into burning and shining lamps for You and Your glory. We want to hear well done good and faithful servant. To Jesus Christ be all the glory now and forever, amen.